IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television, which is simply a way for people to stream videos, shows and movies over the internet.
Using IPTV services for the first time can feel incredibly daunting, that’s why it is so crucial for you to have some guidance and support along the way.
Classic IPTV services have always been rather difficult to set up, which is why we have compiled this guide on how you can set up your brand-new IPTV subscriptions on your Windows devices!
Throughout this blog, we will be walking you through the set-up process for one of our favourite picks for smart IPTV players available on Windows devices, VLC Media Player.
We will also be discussing some other options that may be more suited to you, read on to find out more about them and their set-up processes!
VLC Media Player
One of our biggest recommendations for applications to install for a Windows IPTV player is VLC Media Player.
VLC Media Player is one of the best outsourced media players for windows and is one that we, at IPTV Compare, would recommend to all of our customers as it is one of the simplest media players to use and has a plethora of different features.
IPTV works on a network of M3U files and these files can be easily dragged and dropped into your VLC Media Player application.
Make Sure Your Computer Is Up To Date
One of the first steps you must take to watch IPTV on your Windows computer is to ensure that your PC is running on Windows 8 or newer software so that you are able to download apps from the Microsoft Store.
This is usually done during your computer’s life span, you can check your Microsoft menu to see if the Microsoft store appears and if this is not the case then it is important to do so whenever possible.
Ensuring that your computer is fully updated could also be an incredibly important part of the streaming process as many computers running on old software can be rather slow and laggy when streaming videos on the internet or on IPTV platforms.
Therefore, keeping your computer updated could also help any of your previous lag issues and will allow you to watch your streams without worrying about the quality of the stream as much as you would have previously.
First Steps
Once you have downloaded the app, you will then find the icon of a traffic cone has been added to your desktop or downloads file.
When you have opened it, the next step is to click on the menu at the top of the screen then find “Media” then find “Open Network Stream” under this heading. In future, this can be accessed under the shortcut “CTRL+N”.
Next, you should be greeted with a screen asking for a URL where, from here, you will be able to copy and paste the URL of the M3U file that you have chosen on your screen, and then you will be able to click on “Play”.
You will then be required to wait for a short time before seeing the vast amounts of content and the IPTV channel list you now have at your disposal.
Downloading M3U Files
Alternatively, you can download these files without the need to paste your URL, once downloaded you should be able to simply drag and drop these files into your free IPTV player.
These files are, however, just one of the types of files that you can download and use in VLC Media Player but this may be insignificant to someone only looking to use this for IPTV services.
Other Resources
There are plenty of other resources that you may wish to use for streaming IPTV beyond VLC Media Player.
MyIPTV Player
One example of this is MyIPTV Player which is a free-to-install app in the Microsoft store that allows you to stream all of your favourite IPTV channels.
Just like VLC, you will be required to use M3U files whether it be via download or a copied URL to view all of your IPTV playlists.
Something to note for the set-up process of this app is that you do not need to sign in when asked to after you have first opened the app, this will greatly speed up the process of using their services and can save you a lot of time.
Bluestacks
Bluestacks is a free IPTV player that is available on Windows devices and it is definitely another stellar option for your IPTV streaming needs.
This works by emulating the operating system of an android tablet so that you can have all of the accessibility features and the snappiness of android’s OS but on the set-up of your Windows PC.
In order for you to use Bluestacks, you will be required to download the Bluestacks program from their website.
Then, once the program has opened after a few minutes, you will be able to search for “IPTV player” in the search bar as you would on any other android device.
Final Thoughts
We hope that we have been able to help you with some of the queries you may have had about installing an IPTV Player.
We are firm believers that VLC Media Player is the pick of the bunch – however, there are plenty for you to find and explore through across the internet and the Microsoft store.
If you do need further support or advice, you can contact us on our website here. It is important to note that we are not an IPTV provider or an IPTV subscription provider so if you have any questions about the services, it is best to contact the providers directly.
