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Guide 101 · IPTV

What is IPTV?

Step 01

1. IPTV simply means television over an IP network

IPTV stands for:

Internet Protocol Television

In simple terms, it is a technology that allows television to be transmitted using a network that uses Internet Protocol.

Instead of the signal arriving only by:

  • coaxial cable;
  • satellite;
  • antenna;

television can be distributed over an Internet or IP network.

Is it the same as streaming?

Both use the Internet, but the word streaming is much more general.

Netflix, YouTube and Disney+ are streaming services.

IPTV is mainly a term used to describe television systems distributed over an IP network, particularly for live TV and certain on-demand services.

We will explain the difference in more detail later in this guide.

Is it legal?

IPTV technology itself is legal.

As with any distribution method, the legality of a service depends in particular on the rights it has to distribute the content it offers.

The word “IPTV” alone therefore cannot determine whether a service is authorized or not.

Step 02

2. IPTV, streaming, cable and satellite: what’s the difference?

All these technologies let you watch television or video, but they do not carry the content in the same way.

Cable

Traditional cable television arrives through the provider’s network, generally by coaxial cable or fibre.

The provider controls the channels, packages and equipment used.

Satellite

The signal is received by a satellite dish installed at home.

An Internet connection is not required to receive the main signal.

Streaming

Streaming is a very general term.

Netflix, YouTube, Crave, Prime Video and Disney+ use the Internet to send video directly to an application or browser.

The content can be:

  • live;
  • on demand;
  • free;
  • or offered with a subscription.

IPTV

IPTV uses an IP network to transmit television.

Depending on the service, this may include:

  • live TV;
  • a program guide;
  • movies and series;
  • on-demand content;
  • catch-up or other features.

An IPTV system can operate on a provider-managed network or use an Internet connection.

A simple example

Cable → cable provider’s network

Satellite → signal from a satellite

Streaming → video transmitted over the Internet

IPTV → television distributed using an IP network

Step 03

3. Not all Internet TV services are the same

Two Internet TV services can be completely different.

The number of channels is not the only important factor.

The content

A service may focus more on:

  • Canada and Quebec;
  • the United States;
  • Europe;
  • international channels;
  • certain languages;
  • sports;
  • movies and series.

A service with a huge number of channels is therefore not automatically the best choice for you.

Applications

Not all services necessarily work with every application.

Before choosing, you need to check:

Service → Application → Device

All three must be compatible.

Your setup matters too

The best choice may depend on:

  • your television;
  • your box;
  • your phone or tablet;
  • your Internet connection;
  • your screen size;
  • the languages and content you want to watch.

Do not choose based only on a number

More channels do not necessarily mean:

  • better quality;
  • better stability;
  • better compatibility;
  • a better choice for your needs.

What matters most is having the right content on a compatible setup.

Step 04

4. Portal, playlist and login details: what do they mean?

When you use an Internet TV service, you may be given different connection details.

These details are not always Web links to open in a browser.

Portal URL

A portal URL is an address used by some devices or applications to connect to the service.

For example, some Formuler boxes use a portal address in their MYTVOnline application.

You do not necessarily need to click this address in Chrome, Safari or Firefox.

It must be entered in the correct place in the compatible application or device.

M3U playlist

An M3U playlist is an address or file containing a list of channels or content.

It generally needs to be added to a compatible application.

Again, it is not simply a Web page to open.

Username and password

Some services provide:

  • a server address;
  • a username;
  • a password.

These details must be entered in a compatible application.

Application MAC address

Some Internet TV systems use an application MAC address generated by the application to identify the connection.

Important:

this is not the Wi-Fi or Ethernet MAC address of your television, box or router.

You must use the MAC address displayed directly in the application.

In the installations we support:

  • the application MAC address generally starts with 00:1A:79;
  • with MYTVOnline3 on Formuler Z11 Pro Max, it starts with 00:1E:B8.

If you are asked for a MAC address to configure a service, first open the relevant application and use exactly the one it displays.

The important point

Before you begin, you need to know:

What type of connection details did you receive?

Then:

Which application or device should use this connection?

A portal URL, M3U playlist or login details do not necessarily work in the same way.

Before choosing a service

Before ordering anything, make sure you know:

  • what you want to watch;
  • the countries and languages you are looking for;
  • the sports or content that matter to you;
  • your television or device;
  • the application you can use;
  • the type of connection compatible with that application.

It is much easier to check all this before ordering than to try to make an incompatible setup work.