IPTV Glossary: Common IPTV Terms Explained

IPTV comes with its own vocabulary, and setup instructions often assume you already know it. This glossary explains the terms you're most likely to meet, in plain English, with links to fuller guides where a term needs more than a sentence or two.

IPTV Basics

• IPTV (Internet Protocol Television): TV channels and on-demand content delivered over an internet connection rather than an aerial, satellite dish or cable line. See what is IPTV
• OTT (Over-the-Top): content delivered over the public internet, independent of your broadband provider. Most consumer IPTV is technically OTT
• Live TV: channels broadcast on a schedule, watched as they air
• VOD (Video on Demand): films and series you can play at any time, not tied to a broadcast schedule
• Provider: the service that supplies the channels and your login. A player app is separate from the provider

Logins and Playlists

• Xtream Codes: a login made up of a server URL, username and password, used by most IPTV players. See Xtream Codes explained
• M3U playlist: a single link (or file) containing the list of channels and their stream addresses. See what an M3U playlist is
• Server URL: the address of your provider's server, usually including http:// and a port number
• Port: the number after the colon in a server URL, such as :8080. Leaving it out is a common cause of login errors
• Player app: software such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters that plays your subscription. It doesn't provide channels itself
• Portal: a web address used by MAG boxes and some other devices, which recognises the device by its MAC address

Programme Guide Terms

• EPG (Electronic Programme Guide): the on-screen schedule showing what's on now and next. See our EPG guide
• XMLTV: the file format commonly used to supply EPG data
• EPG URL: the link to the guide data that some players need you to add separately
• Channel ID (tvg-id): the identifier that matches a channel in the playlist to its guide data
• Catch-up (TV archive): past programmes you can play from the guide for a limited number of days. See IPTV catch-up TV explained
• Time shift: pausing or rewinding live TV, or recording a broadcast to watch later

Streaming and Picture Quality

• SD, HD, FHD and 4K (UHD): standard definition, 720p high definition, 1080p full HD, and 2160p ultra HD resolution
• HDR: high dynamic range, which improves contrast and colour on supported content and TVs
• HEVC (H.265): an efficient video format used for most 4K streams. Your device must support it. See 4K IPTV
• Bitrate: how much data a stream uses per second. Higher bitrates look better but need faster broadband
• Buffering: pauses while the player waits for more data. See IPTV buffering
• Latency: the delay between the live event and what you see on screen
• Frame rate: frames per second. UK broadcasts are typically 50 fps (or 25 fps); matching it avoids judder
• Decoder: the part of the player that turns the stream into picture and sound; hardware and software decoders behave differently

Devices and Hardware

• Streaming stick: a small device plugged into an HDMI port, such as a Firestick
• Set-top box (STB): a box connected to the TV, such as a MAG, Formuler or Android TV box
• MAC address: a unique hardware identifier. MAG boxes and some apps use it to link a device to a subscription
• Sideloading: installing an app from outside the device's official app store, for example with Downloader on a Firestick
• Enigma2: a Linux operating system used by receivers such as VU+ and Zgemma
• HDMI ARC/eARC: HDMI connections that send audio from the TV to a soundbar or receiver

Account and Service Terms

• Connections: the number of screens that can stream at the same time on one subscription
• Activation: the point at which your account is switched on after payment and your login works
• Plan term: the fixed length of a subscription, such as 1, 3, 6 or 12 months
• Uptime: the proportion of time the provider's servers are available, often stated as a percentage
• Money-back guarantee: a window after purchase in which you can request a refund
• TV Licence: required in the UK to watch or record live TV on any device or service, and to use BBC iPlayer