.webp)
IPTV apps, device menus and setup instructions are full of abbreviations. Most of them are simple ideas with complicated names. This glossary explains the terms you are most likely to meet, in plain English, with links to our more detailed guides where a term deserves a closer look.
Terms are grouped alphabetically. Use your browser’s find function to jump to a specific one.
A–C
Adaptive bitrate (ABR) A streaming technique where the same video is prepared at several quality levels, and the player switches between them depending on your connection. It is why a picture can briefly turn soft and then sharpen again.
AV1 A newer video codec that compresses video more efficiently than older formats. Support is growing on recent TVs and streaming devices, but older hardware may not decode it.
Bitrate How much data a video uses per second, usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Higher bitrate generally means more detail, especially in fast motion — and a greater need for a stable connection.
Buffer A few seconds of video that your player downloads ahead of what you are watching, so short dips in speed do not interrupt playback. When it runs out, you see the spinning “buffering” icon. See our IPTV buffering guide.
Catch-up TV The ability to watch programmes that already aired on a live channel, for a limited time. Explained in what is catch-up TV.
CDN (content delivery network) A network of servers in different locations that deliver video from closer to the viewer, which reduces delay and congestion.
Codec The method used to compress and decompress video or audio. Common video codecs are H.264, HEVC and AV1; common audio codecs include AAC and AC-3.
Connections (simultaneous streams) How many devices can stream from one subscription at the same time. Covered in how many devices you can use with IPTV.
Container The file or stream “wrapper” that holds video, audio and subtitles together — for example MP4, MKV or MPEG-TS. The container is different from the codec inside it.
D–H
Decoder (hardware vs software) The part of a device or player that turns compressed video back into pictures. Hardware decoding uses a dedicated chip and is much more efficient; software decoding uses the main processor. Our player settings guide explains when to use each.
Dolby Vision An HDR format that adjusts brightness and colour information scene by scene. It needs support from the content, the player device and the TV.
Downloader An app for Amazon Fire TV devices that lets you download and install apps from a web address. Used in our Firestick setup guide.
EPG (electronic programme guide) The on-screen TV guide showing what is on now and next. See IPTV EPG explained.
Ethernet A wired network connection using a cable between your device and router. Usually more stable than Wi-Fi for streaming — compared in Ethernet vs Wi-Fi for IPTV.
Frame rate (fps) How many individual images are shown each second. Films are typically 24 fps; live sport is often produced at 50 or 60 fps for smoother motion.
Full HD (FHD, 1080p) A resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels.
H.264 (AVC) A widely supported video codec. Works almost everywhere but needs more data than newer codecs for the same quality.
HD (720p) A resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels. Still common for some live channels.
HDCP A copy-protection system used over HDMI connections. 4K playback from external devices typically needs HDCP 2.2 support on the TV’s HDMI port.
HDR (high dynamic range) Video with a wider range of brightness and colour than standard video. Formats include HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision. See our HDR guide.
HEVC (H.265) A video codec that achieves similar quality to H.264 using considerably less data. Commonly used for 4K streams.
HLG (hybrid log-gamma) An HDR format designed for broadcasting, often used for live content.
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) A streaming format that delivers video in short segments. Widely used for live and on-demand streams.
I–M
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) TV delivered over an internet connection instead of satellite, cable or an aerial. Explained in what is IPTV and how does it work.
Jitter Variation in how long data takes to arrive. High jitter can cause stuttering even when your speed test looks fast.
Latency The delay between something happening and you seeing it. For live streams, see why live IPTV is behind the broadcast.
MAC address / device ID A unique identifier for a device’s network hardware. Several Smart TV IPTV players display a MAC address or device ID that you use to add a playlist through the player’s website.
Mbps (megabits per second) The unit used for internet speeds and video bitrates. Not the same as megabytes (MB): there are 8 megabits in a megabyte.
Mesh Wi-Fi A home network made of several connected Wi-Fi points that spread coverage across a larger area.
M3U / M3U8 A playlist format: a text file or link that lists channels and their stream addresses. Compared in M3U vs Xtream Codes.
MPEG-TS A container format widely used for live TV streams.
N–S
Native 4K Content produced and delivered in 4K, as opposed to lower-resolution content that has been upscaled.
OTT (over the top) Video delivered over the open internet rather than a provider’s private TV network.
Packet loss When pieces of data fail to arrive. Even small amounts of packet loss can cause freezing or artefacts in live video.
Picture in Picture (PiP) A feature that keeps video playing in a small floating window while you use other apps on a phone or tablet.
Ping A measure of how quickly a signal travels to a server and back, in milliseconds. Lower is better.
Player app The app that actually plays IPTV streams, such as TiviMate, IPTV Smarters or VLC. Your subscription provides the content; the player provides the interface.
QoS (quality of service) A router feature that prioritises certain devices or types of traffic, such as a TV streaming live video.
Resolution The number of pixels in the picture, written as width × height.
SD (standard definition) Lower-resolution video, typically 720 × 576 or 720 × 480 pixels.
Sideloading Installing an app from outside a device’s official app store.
T–Z
Timeshift Pausing or rewinding live TV. Sometimes used interchangeably with catch-up.
UHD / 4K UHD (2160p) A resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels — four times the pixels of Full HD. See what is 4K IPTV.
Upscaling Stretching a lower-resolution picture to fill a higher-resolution screen. TVs do this automatically; it does not add real detail.
VOD (video on demand) Films and series you start whenever you like. Explained in what is VOD in IPTV.
Wi-Fi 5 / Wi-Fi 6 / Wi-Fi 6E Generations of Wi-Fi technology. Newer generations handle more devices and busier networks better, and 6E adds the 6 GHz band.
XMLTV The file format most IPTV programme guides use for schedule data.
Xtream Codes A login format using a server address, username and password, which lets a player load live TV, movies, series and the guide together.
Where to go next
If you are just getting started, our beginner’s roadmap to 4K IPTV puts these terms in order — from checking your connection to choosing a device and setting up your first player. When something is not working, the IPTV troubleshooting checklist is the fastest route to a fix.