IPTV has become more popular than ever in recent years. More people are waking up to the reality that cable TV isn’t worth it.
Between paying for channels you don’t want or need, having to wait for ads, and being tied to a schedule, there are faults with the “tried and true” method. Our IPTV Guide presents the solution.
What is IPTV?
IPTV stands for “Internet Protocol Television.” The service delivers television signals to you through the internet rather than cable or satellite.
Many people want to cut the cord and get rid of cable but don’t have an alternative ready. IPTV is that alternative.
Typically, IPTV offers hundreds of live TV channels to users, including most of the channels you would get from cable and satellite services from around the globe – however, it’s an internet streaming device instead.
Advantages of IPTV
- One of the critical advantages of IPTV is the price. You can access all the live television you want at a fraction of the cost of cable and satellite. Who would say no to cheaper television?
- IPTV apps offer access to channels you can’t get through cable and satellite because of your location. These channels aren’t packaged with other media you don’t want either.
- Most IPTV services include video on demand, allowing you to watch the content you want according to your schedule.
- There is a wide range of IPTV apps available on the ‘Apple App Store’ and ‘Google Play Store’.
Keep in mind that nothing is perfect, however, so IPTV has some disadvantages to be aware of.
Disadvantages of IPTV
- You should be aware of other things connected to your internet at the same time.
- Connecting too many devices to the internet at once can cause buffering issues with IPTV streams.
- IPTV companies aren’t regulated like cable companies are and don’t have the same structure. Their services aren’t 100% guaranteed.
What To Look For In An IPTV Service
There’s a lot of choices when it comes to IPTV service providers. As such, you should know what to look for to get the most out of your IPTV service.
Here are some features to look for with IPTV providers:
The Channels
IPTV providers often include hundreds, if not thousands, of channels in their packages. The problem is, who needs that many channels? One of the reasons people choose IPTV is to get rid of cable packages with too many channels they need to pay for.
Don’t automatically go with a provider that offers thousands of channels on their TV guide. Instead, choose a provider with the appropriate number of channels for you. Find one that has the channels you want at a price you can afford.
Channel selection is also essential because IPTV providers that offer more channels need to dedicate more resources to keeping those channels open. You’ll have a better time with a more limited option.
Video on Demand
Some IPTV providers offer video on demand as an added service. What’s the quality of the VOD like? Is there a lot of choices? Does it get updated regularly? Come to think of it – do you even need video on demand? These are all factors to consider when choosing IPTV.
Stream Quality
There’s nothing like watching IPTV in crystal-clear HD. However, it would help if you didn’t overlook low-quality streams.
One advantage of choosing IPTV has all the channels you want in your pocket, so you can watch them whenever, wherever.
High-definition streams look good, but they use up many data and are more likely to buffer. Look for a provider that offers both standard and high definition channels so you can keep up with your favorite shows without interruption.
ISP Blocking
Are there channels that only work at certain times? Do you need to use a VPN to access the stream? Some ISPs block access to IPTV platforms.
It would be best to find an all-inclusive provider that doesn’t require you to jump through hoops. Whether or not you use a VPN for IPTV should be up to you, not the provider.
Support and Community
Customer support is an important consideration when choosing the best IPTV service. How active is the group on social media? How nicely do they treat you – and other people – when contacted?
Do they listen to requests for channels and shows? What support options do they offer?
Some providers include a community forum where you can talk to staff and other users. These forums are often a great place to get advice and solutions for your problems. These forums save time because you don’t need to wait for customer support to get back to you.
You might have to work some things out for yourself, but it’s good to know you have friendly support staff around if you need help.
Is IPTV Legal?
This is the most critical question to ask about IPTV. Every country has its own rules on streaming copyrighted content. You should understand those laws and stick to them.
In general, IPTV rules state that:
- Providing and reselling certain IPTV services is illegal. You are prohibited from re-broadcasting and profiting from TV channels. Services like this are shut down, and the owners may face legal trouble if caught.
- Signing up to – and using – IPTV services is a legal grey area. In theory, it’s possible you might be prosecuted if you are caught using them. With that said, there have been zero arrests or prosecutions of people streaming IPTV for personal use.
We recommend avoiding signing up to IPTV with your real name or email address as a safety precaution.
Do You Need A VPN To Watch IPTV?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure tunnel for internet traffic. The tunnel encrypts data transferred between a computer and a VPN provider.
These apps make it impossible for a third-party, such as a government agency or ISP, to tell what websites and services you connect to and the data you download and access.
This added layer of protection is excellent for IPTV users for two reasons:
- Some Internet Service Providers throttle and block traffic from specific websites or services. Some of the most popular ISPs block access to IPTV providers or slow IPTV traffic on their servers. Use a VPN to avoid this issue by hiding what you access from your ISP.
- Some streaming platforms have different content for different regions. Some don’t even work in certain parts of the world. A VPN allows you to connect to a server in a different county to spoof your location. For example, if you live in the UK, you can connect to a US-based server and have websites that think you are in the US.
VPN connections also help with connection issues. You connect to a server close to the streaming service location, making for an optimized connection.
Of course, most people get a VPN to counter government and ISP surveillance. With so much news out there about how much the government sees what you do online, it’s good to have the peace of mind that comes with a VPN.
IPTV Tips
Here are some basic tips to keep in mind when streaming IPTV. These tips help guarantee a better quality stream with minimal buffering.
Hardwire the Stream Connection
The world is more wireless than ever before, but sometimes a hardwire connection is better.
Connecting your device to your modem/router directly with an ethernet cable is one of the best things you can do for your streaming experience.
Streaming takes a powerful internet connection. It takes a lot of power to stream audio and video with minimal latency in real-time.
Connecting over wireless reduces your internet speed. A wireless connection is up to ten times weaker than a wired one.
A quick connection with low latency is key to a smooth streaming experience.
Try Using Standard Definition
Everyone likes to think that they have a perfect internet connection. One that can stand up to even high-definition streaming with no problems. Unfortunately, reality often proves this isn’t the case.
Several factors affect streaming speed. Try watching live TV or on-demand channels at a standard quality feed if you’re having trouble. It could be what you need for smooth streaming.
Try an Alternate Stream
Some services have multiple feeds for individual channels. If you can’t stream something on IPTV, look to see if another feed runs better.
Remember that the channels on IPTV come from different locations.
If one stream isn’t working correctly, it’s worth checking in on how others are doing. No two streams – or streaming services – are alike with IPTV.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of how IPTV works. Remember, subscribing to an IPTV service isn’t strictly illegal, but you might want to get a VPN to protect yourself.
IPTV is an excellent alternative to cable and satellite and is quickly becoming the future of television for the likes of tv shows, films and live channels and events.
If you’re tired of paying too much for channels you don’t need or watch, consider making the switch and seeing what IPTV is all about for yourself.