What is IPTV?
Traditional TV reaches your home through the air (an aerial), from space (a satellite dish) or along a cable network. IPTV sends the same kind of programmes as data over the internet – the same connection you use for web browsing and video calls. An app on your TV, streaming stick, phone or computer turns that data back into pictures and sound.
Watching TV over the internet is now completely normal: catch-up players, streaming apps and some providers’ set-top boxes all work this way. An IPTV subscription such as Elitnes brings live channels, films and series together in one player, on the devices you already own. If you are weighing it up against a dish or cable, read our IPTV vs satellite and cable comparison.
What you need to watch IPTV
- A device. A Samsung, LG or Android smart TV, an Amazon Firestick, an Android box, Apple TV, a phone, a tablet or a computer. See the full list of supported devices.
- An IPTV player app. This is the software that shows your channels and TV guide – for example TiviMate, IPTV Smarters or IBO Player. Some boxes, like MAG and Formuler, have one built in.
- A subscription login. The details that unlock the channels in your app. With Elitnes, we send them on WhatsApp after you choose a plan or a free trial.
- A broadband connection. Fibre, cable or a strong 4G/5G home broadband connection all work.
| Picture quality | Speed per screen | Data per hour (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| SD | 5 Mbps | about 1 GB |
| HD / Full HD | 10 Mbps | 2–3 GB |
| 4K Ultra HD | 25 Mbps | 7 GB or more |
The recommended speeds include headroom, so the stream itself uses less than that – which is why the data figures are lower than the speeds suggest. Data use only matters if your broadband or mobile plan has a limit; most home fibre and cable plans are unlimited.
How a stream reaches your TV
When you choose a channel, your app asks the IPTV servers for that stream. The servers send it over the internet in a continuous flow of small chunks, and your app keeps a few seconds stored ahead of what you are watching. That small store – the buffer – smooths out tiny hiccups in your connection.
If your connection slows down for longer than the buffer lasts, the picture pauses while it refills: that is buffering. It is usually caused by weak Wi-Fi or a busy home network rather than the channel itself, which is why a cable connection makes such a difference. Our troubleshooting guide explains how to fix it.
Live TV, VOD, catch-up and the EPG
- Live TV works like a normal TV channel: you join the programme as it is broadcast.
- VOD (video on demand) is a library of films and series that you start whenever you like, with pause, rewind and fast-forward.
- Catch-up lets you go back and watch programmes that have already been shown, on channels that support it.
- The EPG (electronic programme guide) is the on-screen TV guide showing what is on now and next.
M3U vs Xtream Codes vs MAG portal
Your IPTV login comes in one of three formats. They all give you the same channels; the difference is how your app connects:
| Format | What you enter | Works with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xtream Codes | Server URL, username and password | Most IPTV apps | Loads live TV, films, series and the guide automatically. Our usual recommendation. |
| M3U playlist | One long web link | VLC, Kodi, MyIPTV Player and many others | Very widely supported; the TV guide is sometimes added as a separate link. |
| MAG portal | A portal URL, with your device’s MAC address activated | MAG and Formuler boxes, some Smart TV apps | Nothing to type except the portal address; tied to one device. |
If you’re not sure which to use, tell us your device and app and we will send the right one. Each setup guide also says which format your device uses.
Connections: how many screens can watch?
Each IPTV plan includes a number of connections – devices that can stream at the same moment. You can install the app on as many devices as you like, but only that many can play at once. Elitnes offers 1, 2 or 3 connections; see multi-room IPTV for how it works in a busy household.
IPTV glossary
- IPTV
- Internet Protocol Television: TV delivered over an internet connection.
- Player app
- The app that plays your channels, such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters.
- EPG
- Electronic programme guide – the on-screen TV guide.
- VOD
- Video on demand: films and series you can start at any time.
- Catch-up
- Watching programmes after they have been shown.
- M3U
- A playlist format: one web link containing all your channels.
- Xtream Codes
- A login using a server URL, username and password.
- MAC address
- A unique ID for your device, used to activate MAG and Formuler boxes.
- Portal
- The web address a MAG or Formuler box connects to for your channels.
- Buffering
- A pause while the app waits for more of the stream to arrive.
- Bitrate
- How much data a stream uses each second; higher bitrates mean better pictures and need faster connections.
Beginner’s IPTV FAQ
Do I need a smart TV to watch IPTV?
No. Any TV with an HDMI port works with a streaming stick or box, such as a Firestick.
Is IPTV the same as Netflix-style streaming apps?
Both use the internet. Streaming apps mostly offer on-demand programmes, while IPTV focuses on live channels with a TV guide, plus an on-demand library.
Can I keep my aerial or satellite dish?
Yes. IPTV doesn’t affect your aerial, dish or cable, so you can use both side by side.
How do I try IPTV before paying?
Ask for a free trial on WhatsApp and test it on your own TV and connection.