What IPTV is, how it works, and the terms you meet: M3U, Xtream Codes, EPG, catch-up and 4K. 14 guides, written by the Viking IPTV team.
- IPTV explained
IPTV explained simply: live TV delivered over the internet instead of cable or satellite, what you need to watch it, and how it differs from streaming apps. - How IPTV works, from studio to screen
How IPTV works step by step: channel capture, encoding, servers, CDNs, your internet connection and the player app, with what affects quality. - M3U playlist explained
What an M3U playlist is, what is inside the link, how to use it in VLC and IPTV apps, and why Xtream Codes is often the better choice. - Xtream Codes login explained
What an Xtream Codes login is, the three details it uses, why apps prefer it over M3U, and how to enter the server address correctly. - EPG: the IPTV TV guide explained
What EPG means in IPTV, where guide data comes from, how players match it to channels, and how to fix gaps and wrong times. - IPTV catch-up explained
What IPTV catch-up (timeshift) is, how to use it in TiviMate and other players, which channels have it, and why it sometimes does not work. - Recording IPTV: what works
How to record IPTV channels: player apps with recording, storage you need, scheduling from the guide, and the limits to expect. - IPTV multiview
How IPTV multiview works, which players offer it, what device and connection you need, and how it affects your connection limit. - 4K IPTV: what you actually need
What you need for 4K IPTV: a 4K TV, HEVC-capable device, 25+ Mbps per stream and the right HDMI settings, plus how to tell real 4K from upscaled. - IPTV vs cable TV
IPTV vs cable TV compared: monthly cost, contracts, equipment, channel choice, picture quality and reliability, with who should switch. - IPTV vs satellite
IPTV vs satellite TV: installation, weather, rooms, cost, channels from abroad and internet requirements, compared clearly. - IPTV vs streaming apps
The difference between IPTV and streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Live and YouTube TV: live channels, sport, price and devices. - Is IPTV legal?
Is IPTV legal? The technology is; what matters is whether a service holds rights to its channels in your country. How to judge a provider. - IPTV glossary
An A to Z IPTV glossary: M3U, Xtream Codes, EPG, MAC, portal, catch-up, VOD, HEVC, bitrate, buffering, connections and more, in plain language.
Other topics: Device Setup · Players & Apps · Fixes & Errors · Internet & Network · Sports & Channels · Plans & Buying