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This IPTV glossary explains the terms you meet when setting up and using IPTV, from M3U and EPG to bitrate, buffer and catch-up, in short, plain definitions you can come back to whenever a menu or message is unclear.
IPTV apps and provider messages are full of abbreviations. You do not need to be technical to enjoy IPTV, but knowing the main terms makes setup and troubleshooting much easier. Here they are, grouped by topic.
Setup and Login
- M3U / M3U8: a playlist file listing channels and their stream addresses. An M3U link downloads this list.
- Xtream Codes (Xtream API): a login method using a server address, username and password, which loads channels, guide and VOD automatically.
- Portal / MAC portal: a login method used by some set-top boxes, based on the device’s MAC address.
- Server URL: the address of the provider’s server, often with a port number.
- Connection: one active stream allowed by your plan.
Guide and Features
- EPG: Electronic Programme Guide, the TV schedule shown in your app.
- XMLTV: the common file format for EPG data.
- Catch-up (archive, replay): watching programmes that already aired, from the provider’s archive.
- Timeshift: pausing and rewinding live TV.
- VOD: Video on Demand, the library of films and series.
- Multi-view: several channels on screen at once.
Picture and Sound
| Term | Meaning |
| Resolution | Number of pixels: 720p, 1080p, 4K |
| Bitrate | Amount of data per second; higher usually means better quality |
| Codec | Compression method: H.264, HEVC, AV1 |
| HDR | High Dynamic Range: brighter highlights, richer colour |
| Frame rate | Images per second: 25, 30, 50, 60 |
| AC-3 / E-AC-3 | Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus surround audio |
Network and Playback
- Buffer: video stored in advance by the player to smooth out dips.
- Buffering: pauses when the buffer runs empty.
- Latency: delay, for example between live action and your screen.
- Mbps: megabits per second, a unit of connection speed.
- CDN: Content Delivery Network, servers spread across locations to deliver streams efficiently.
- Adaptive bitrate: automatic switching between quality levels based on your connection.
- TS / HLS: two common stream formats; some apps let you choose.
Devices and Apps
- Player app: software that plays IPTV, such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters.
- Sideloading: installing an app from outside the official store.
- HDMI-CEC: lets one remote control several HDMI devices.
- Set-top box: a dedicated box connected to the TV.
Accounts and Plans
- Trial: a short test period before paying.
- Multi-screen plan: a plan with several simultaneous connections.
- Reseller: a seller who resells accounts from a provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which login type should I use?
Xtream Codes in apps that support it; M3U for players that need a playlist link.
What bitrate is good for HD?
Roughly 5 to 10 Mbps for a clean 1080p picture.
Is catch-up the same as VOD?
No. Catch-up replays recent broadcasts; VOD is a separate library.
Speak the Language
Keep this glossary handy and IPTV menus become much less mysterious. To see the terms in action, read how IPTV works, or see the IPTVX IPTV plans.
