IPTV Glossary: 40 Terms Every Viewer Should Know

IPTV setup screens, player menus and help articles are full of acronyms. This glossary explains the IPTV terms you're most likely to meet, grouped by topic, with links to deeper guides where they help.

Bookmark it alongside our pillar article what is IPTV? — between them they cover everything a new viewer needs.

Access and login terms

• M3U — a plain-text playlist format listing channels and their stream addresses. See M3U and Xtream Codes.
• M3U URL — a web address the player downloads your playlist from, so it stays up to date automatically.
• Xtream Codes / Xtream API — a login method using a server URL, username and password.
• Server URL / host — the address of your provider's server, including protocol and port.
• Portal URL — the address a MAG box uses to load the service; see IPTV on MAG box.
• MAC address — a unique hardware identifier used to link a set-top box or some apps to a subscription; see MAC activation apps.
• Device key — a code some apps display so you can add a playlist through their website.
• Connection — one stream playing at a time; see multi-screen IPTV.
• Expiry date — when the subscription period ends; most players show it in account info.

TV guide and viewing terms

• EPG — electronic programme guide, the on-screen schedule. See IPTV EPG.
• XMLTV — the file format most EPG data is delivered in.
• EPG offset / timeshift offset — a time adjustment that aligns guide listings with your time zone.
• Catch-up / replay — watching recent programmes on supported channels. See IPTV catch-up.
• Timeshift — pausing or rewinding live TV, where the player and channel support it.
• VOD — video on demand: titles you can start any time.
• Channel group / category — a folder of related channels in your playlist.
• Favourites — your personal shortlist of channels; see organising IPTV channels.
• Parental PIN — a code that locks chosen categories; see IPTV parental controls.
• Multiview — watching several channels on one screen, offered by some players.

Video and audio terms

• Resolution — picture size: SD (480/576p), HD (720p), Full HD (1080p), 4K/UHD (2160p).
• Bitrate — how much data a stream uses per second; higher usually means better quality.
• Frame rate (fps) — frames per second; 50 or 60 fps looks smoother for sport.
• Codec — the compression method for video or audio.
• H.264 (AVC) — the widely supported video codec used by many HD streams.
• HEVC (H.265) — a more efficient codec used for most 4K streams. See 4K IPTV.
• HDR — high dynamic range: brighter highlights and richer colour on compatible TVs.
• Hardware decoding — using the device's video chip, for smoother playback.
• AC-3 / Dolby Digital — a common surround-sound audio format.
• Audio passthrough — sending the audio untouched to a soundbar or receiver to decode.
• Aspect ratio — the shape of the picture (16:9 for most modern TV).

Streaming and network terms

• Buffer — video the player stores in advance to absorb network dips. See fix IPTV buffering.
• MPEG-TS — a transport format for continuous streams; HLS — a segment-based format. See IPTV streaming protocols.
• Latency — the delay between a live event and your screen; see IPTV delay explained.
• Mbps — megabits per second, the unit for internet speed. See IPTV internet speed.
• Ethernet — a wired network connection; usually the most stable option for streaming.
• 5 GHz Wi-Fi — the faster, shorter-range Wi-Fi band, generally better for streaming.
• DNS — the system that turns server names into addresses; a slow DNS can delay stream start.
• VPN — an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic; see VPN for IPTV.
• User agent — how a player identifies itself to a server; some players let you change it.
• Sideloading — installing an app from outside the official store; best avoided unless the developer distributes it that way.