New to IPTV? These are the terms you are most likely to see in setup guides and player apps.
- IPTV
- Internet Protocol Television: TV channels and on-demand video delivered over a broadband internet connection and watched through an app, rather than via a satellite dish, aerial or cable.
- EPG
- Electronic Programme Guide – the on-screen TV guide showing what is on now and next. IPTV apps download it separately from the video. See what is an EPG?
- IPTV player
- An app that plays an IPTV service. It shows the channel list, guide and on-demand menus but includes no channels itself. See what is an IPTV player?
- M3U
- A plain-text playlist format that lists stream addresses. Some player apps can load a service from an M3U playlist link.
- Xtream Codes API
- A common login method for IPTV player apps using a server address, username and password instead of a playlist link. Many apps call this “Xtream Codes” or “XC API” login.
- VOD
- Video on demand – films, series and box sets you can start, pause and resume whenever you like, as opposed to live channels.
- Catch-up
- A feature on some channels that lets you watch programmes shown in recent days from the TV guide.
- Firestick
- Common name for the Amazon Fire TV Stick, a small streaming device that plugs into a TV’s HDMI port. See the Firestick setup guide.
- Android TV / Google TV
- Google’s operating system for TVs and streaming boxes, used by brands such as Sony, TCL, Philips and Hisense. Apps come from Google Play. See the Android TV guide.
- Smart TV
- A television with built-in internet apps. Samsung uses Tizen, LG uses webOS and others use Android TV, Google TV or Fire TV. See the Smart TV guide.
- MAG box
- A dedicated IPTV set-top box that loads a service from a portal address rather than an app. See the MAG box guide.
- Buffering
- A pause while the app waits for more video to arrive. Usually caused by weak Wi-Fi or a busy connection. See how to reduce buffering.
- Mbps
- Megabits per second, the unit broadband speed is measured in. About 15 Mbps is comfortable for HD and 25 Mbps or more for 4K.
- SD
- Standard definition, roughly 576 lines in the UK. Uses the least data.
- HD
- High definition, 720 lines (1280×720 pixels).
- Full HD
- 1080 lines (1920×1080 pixels), the standard for most HD channels and TVs.
- 4K
- Ultra HD, 3840×2160 pixels – four times the detail of Full HD. Needs a 4K TV or device and a faster connection.
- HDR
- High dynamic range: brighter highlights and richer colour on compatible 4K TVs.
- Ethernet
- A wired network connection. More stable than Wi-Fi for live TV. See Ethernet vs Wi-Fi.
Still unsure about something? Read what is IPTV?, see the FAQ or ask our team.