--- title: "IPTV Glossary: 40 Terms Explained Simply (M3U, EPG, Xtream, HLS…)" description: "Clear definitions of the words you meet when setting up IPTV — playlist formats, guide data, streaming protocols, codecs, player features and account terms — with links to the detailed guides." url: https://m3utify.com/en/blog/iptv-glossary language: en last_modified: 2026-10-20 --- Glossary 10/20/2026 5 min read M3utify Team # IPTV Glossary: 40 Terms Explained Simply (M3U, EPG, Xtream, HLS…) Clear definitions of the words you meet when setting up IPTV — playlist formats, guide data, streaming protocols, codecs, player features and account terms — with links to the detailed guides. ## How to use this glossary IPTV setup guides are full of acronyms. This glossary explains each term in a sentence or two, in plain language, and links to the detailed article when there is one. Terms are grouped by theme: playlists, programme guide, streaming, video quality, players and accounts. ## Playlists and formats ### IPTV Internet Protocol Television: TV channels and videos delivered over an internet connection instead of satellite, cable or antenna. The term covers operators' TV boxes as well as apps that play playlists. ### M3U A plain-text playlist format listing media addresses, one per entry. The standard way to hand a list of channels to an IPTV player. See [What is an M3U file](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/what-is-m3u). ### M3U8 The same format encoded in UTF-8, so that every language displays correctly. The `.m3u8` extension is also used by HLS streams (see below). ### Extended M3U An M3U file that starts with `#EXTM3U` and describes each entry with `#EXTINF` metadata (name, logo, group, guide id). ### #EXTINF The line that describes the entry right below it: duration, attributes and display name. ### group-title The attribute that puts a channel into a category (News, Sports, Kids…). Players build their group list from it. ### tvg-id The identifier that links a channel to its programme guide. It must match the channel id in the XMLTV file. ### tvg-logo The URL of the channel logo shown by the player. ### tvg-shift A time offset in hours applied to a channel's guide, used to fix shifted programme times. See [fix an EPG time offset](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/fix-epg-time-offset). ### x-tvg-url An attribute of the `#EXTM3U` header giving the address of the programme guide for the whole playlist. ### Playlist URL A web address that returns a playlist. Players can reload it automatically, which keeps every device up to date. ### XSPF An XML playlist format used by VLC and some other players. M3utify can export to XSPF. ## Programme guide ### EPG Electronic Programme Guide: the TV schedule shown in the player — current programme, next programme, grid for the coming days. See [EPG integration](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/epg-integration). ### XMLTV The XML file format used for IPTV guides. It lists channels with their ids and programmes with start/stop times and time zone offsets. Often distributed compressed as `.xml.gz`. ### EPG mapping (matching) The process of linking each playlist channel to the right guide channel, automatically (by comparing names) or manually. ### Now / Next The two programmes a player shows in the channel list: the one on air and the one that follows. ## Streaming ### Stream A continuous flow of audio and video delivered over the network, as opposed to a downloaded file. ### HLS HTTP Live Streaming, a protocol created by Apple. The video is split into short segments listed in a `.m3u8` index that the player downloads continuously. Very widely supported, especially on Apple devices. ### MPEG-TS (TS) MPEG Transport Stream, a container format used by broadcast TV and many IPTV streams. Xtream sources often offer `ts` and `m3u8` outputs; one may work better than the other on a given device. ### DASH Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP, an alternative to HLS used by many streaming platforms. ### Adaptive bitrate A technique where the stream is available in several qualities and the player switches automatically according to the available bandwidth. ### Buffer The few seconds of video a player keeps in memory before playing them. A larger buffer absorbs network hiccups. See [how to fix IPTV buffering](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/fix-iptv-buffering). ### Bitrate The amount of data per second in a stream, in Mbps. Higher bitrate generally means better quality — and more bandwidth needed. ### Latency The delay between the live event and what you see. IPTV streams are usually a few seconds to a few tens of seconds behind broadcast TV. ### Catch-up / Replay Watching programmes that have already aired, when the source keeps them for a few days. Requires support from both the source and the player. ### Timeshift Pausing and rewinding live TV. The player or the server keeps a recent portion of the stream. ### User agent The identifier a player sends to the server. Some servers only accept specific user agents. ### HTTP status code The number a server returns with each answer — 200 (OK), 401 (unauthorised), 403 (forbidden), 404 (not found), 5xx (server error). See [IPTV stream errors](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/fix-iptv-stream-errors). ## Video quality ### SD, HD, FHD, 4K / UHD Resolutions: SD is around 576 lines, HD 720p, Full HD 1080p, 4K/UHD 2160p. ### Codec The method used to compress video or audio. Common video codecs: H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), AV1. Common audio codecs: AAC, AC-3 (Dolby Digital). ### H.265 / HEVC A codec that gives the same quality as H.264 at roughly half the bitrate, provided the device decodes it in hardware. ### Hardware decoding Using the device's video chip to decode the stream — smoother and cooler than software decoding. ### Frame rate matching Switching the TV output to the stream's frame rate (often 50 Hz in Europe) to avoid judder. ## Players and devices ### IPTV player An app that reads a playlist and plays its streams: TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, Kodi, VLC, GSE Smart IPTV… See [the best IPTV players](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/best-iptv-players-2026). ### PVR client In Kodi, an add-on that feeds live TV and the guide into Kodi's TV section. PVR IPTV Simple Client handles M3U playlists. See [M3U in Kodi](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/how-to-use-m3u-in-kodi). ### Android TV / Google TV Google's TV operating systems, used by many streaming sticks, boxes and TVs. See [IPTV on Android TV and Fire TV](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/iptv-on-android-tv-fire-tv). ### Tizen / webOS The operating systems of Samsung and LG TVs, which cannot run Android apps. See [IPTV on Samsung and LG](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/iptv-on-samsung-lg-smart-tv). ### MAC activation A system used by some smart-TV apps: the app shows the TV's MAC address, and you link your playlist to it on the publisher's website. ## Accounts and access ### Xtream Codes API A standard API with which a player logs in using server, username and password, then downloads live channels, films, series and the guide separately. See [M3U vs Xtream Codes](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/m3u-vs-xtream-codes). ### player\_api.php / get.php / xmltv.php The three usual Xtream endpoints: account and content lists, M3U playlist, and XMLTV guide. ### Simultaneous connections The number of streams an account can play at the same time. Each screen, and each multi-screen window, counts as one connection. ### VOD Video on demand: films and series you start when you want, as opposed to live channels. ### Auto-sync Automatically downloading a playlist source on a schedule and applying the changes while keeping your customisations — a feature of M3utify. ### FAST channels Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV: free channels financed by advertising, available legally on many platforms. See [legal IPTV sources](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/legal-iptv-sources). ## FAQ ### Is "IPTV" the same as "illegal streaming"? No. IPTV is a delivery technology used by telecom operators, broadcasters and free TV services. Illegal services also use it, but the technology itself is neutral. ### What is the difference between M3U and M3U8 in one sentence? They are the same playlist format, but M3U8 is always UTF-8 encoded. ### Which terms matter most for a first setup? Playlist URL, Xtream Codes, EPG, tvg-id and buffer — with those five, you can follow any setup guide on this site. glossary iptv m3u epg xtream codes hls ### Ready to try it yourself? Start editing your M3U playlists for free with M3utify Pro. [Get Started Free](https://m3utify.com/en/editor) [Previous IPTV on Android TV, Google TV and Fire TV: Complete Setup Guide](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/iptv-on-android-tv-fire-tv) [Next How to Open an M3U Playlist in VLC (Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone)](https://m3utify.com/en/blog/how-to-use-m3u-in-vlc)