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What is an IPTV player? M3U, Xtream and EPG explained
IPTV means television delivered over the internet instead of an aerial, dish or cable. To watch it you need two things: a source of channels, which comes from a provider, and a program that shows them, which is the IPTV player. Uzman IPTV Player is the second one. This page explains the words you will meet.
Step by step
IPTV player: the screen, not the channels
A player is like a DVD player or a web browser: it shows what you give it. It contains no channels and sells no subscriptions.
Playlist: the list of channels
Your provider gives you a playlist. It holds the name, logo, category and stream address of every channel.
M3U and M3U8: the playlist as a link or file
M3U is the common playlist format: a link, or a file ending in .m3u. M3U8 is the same thing in UTF-8 encoding.
Xtream Codes: the playlist as a login
Instead of one link you get a server address, a username and a password. The player logs in and receives live TV, films and series, each sorted.
EPG: the TV guide
EPG is the programme guide: what is on now and next. It usually comes with your playlist; if not, you can add an EPG address.
VOD: films and series
VOD (video on demand) is the library you start whenever you like, as opposed to live channels.
Tips
- Trying a player needs no subscription: Uzman IPTV Player has a “Demo” source with legal test streams.
- The same playlist works on all your devices: phone, tablet, TV and computer.
- A good player keeps your link and password on your device. Uzman IPTV Player stores them encrypted and does not send them to us.
Common questions
Is an IPTV player legal?
Yes. A player is ordinary software, like a media player. What matters is the content: watch only playlists you have the right to watch, such as your TV operator's own IPTV service or free public channels.
Does the app come with channels?
No. Apart from the demo streams, it shows only the playlist you add.
What do I need to start?
A device (phone, tablet, Android TV or Windows PC), an internet connection and a playlist from your provider as an M3U link or an Xtream login.