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What Is IPTV? A Plain-English Guide to Internet TV

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television: live TV and on-demand video delivered over your internet connection instead of a cable or satellite dish. If you've wondered what an IPTV service is, how it works and what you need to watch it, this guide covers it in plain English.

  • How IPTV works
  • What equipment you need
  • IPTV vs cable vs streaming apps
What Is IPTV? with Mom IPTV

How IPTV Works

With cable, channels travel down a coaxial cable into a box. With satellite, they come from space to a dish. With IPTV, the same channels are sent over the internet as data and played by an app on your TV, stick, phone or computer.

Your IPTV provider gives you a login. You enter it into a player app, and the app shows you the channel list, a TV guide, and a library of movies and series, much like a cable box would. Our Mom IPTV guides cover each device and player step by step.

What You Need to Watch IPTV

  • A device: a Firestick, Android TV box, Smart TV, phone, tablet or computer.
  • An IPTV player app, such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters.
  • An internet connection of about 15 to 20 Mbps per screen for Full HD.
  • An IPTV subscription, which gives you the login for the channels.

IPTV vs Cable vs Streaming Apps

  • Cable and satellite: live channels, a box rental and usually a contract.
  • Streaming apps: on-demand shows from one company each, with few live channels.
  • IPTV: live channels from many countries plus on-demand movies and series, on almost any device, without a box or dish. See the IPTV vs cable cost breakdown.

What Is an IPTV Subscription?

An IPTV subscription is what you pay a provider for access to their channels. Mom IPTV, for example, includes 18,000+ live channels from 98+ countries and 121,000+ movies and series, with plans for 1 to 5 devices from $3.92 a month.

Most providers, Mom IPTV included, offer a free IPTV trial so you can test the service on your own devices first.

Live TV, VOD and Catch-Up: The Three Parts of IPTV

  • Live TV: channels playing in real time, just like cable, with a TV guide.
  • VOD (video on demand): a library of movies and series you can start whenever you like.
  • Catch-up: on some channels, the ability to go back and watch a program that already aired.

M3U, Xtream Codes and Other IPTV Terms

  • Player: the app that plays IPTV, such as TiviMate or IPTV Smarters.
  • Xtream Codes: a login made of a username, password and server address.
  • M3U: a link to a playlist file that lists every channel.
  • EPG: the electronic program guide that shows what's on now and next.
  • Connections or devices: how many screens can watch at the same time on one plan.

What Is IPTV?: Questions & Answers

What does IPTV stand for?

Internet Protocol Television: TV delivered over the internet instead of cable or satellite.

Do I need a special box for IPTV?

No. Most Smart TVs, Firesticks, phones and computers can run an IPTV player app.

Is IPTV the same as streaming?

IPTV is a kind of streaming that focuses on live TV channels with a TV guide, plus on-demand content, much like cable.

How do I start watching IPTV?

Install a player app, get a subscription or free trial, and enter the login. Our IPTV setup guide walks you through each device.

Can I watch IPTV on more than one TV?

Yes. Install a player on each TV and use the same login. Your plan sets how many screens can watch at once.

Is there a free trial for IPTV?

Mom IPTV offers a free trial, so you can test the channels on your own device before paying.

Still have a question? Ask our support team, we reply 24/7.

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