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What is IPTV? This is one of the most widely asked questions in the cord-cutting community today. If you don’t know much about this topic, we will walk you through this technology and help you determine if it is right for you.
IPTV is short for Internet Protocol Television and is the latest and greatest way to view live television. In today’s digital world, viewing content including live television is available via the internet for instant access.
Millions of people across the world have been able to eliminate their cable/satellite subscription package and opt for an IPTV Service instead. There are thousands of IPTV Providers available today with varying prices, channels, and streaming options.
IPTV users typically install a Streaming App or APK of their preferred live TV Provider onto a streaming device for access. These services almost always require a monthly fee, just like your standard cable subscription would.
However, IPTV Services are usually much cheaper than cable and also provide extensive features and options that are not found with cable. This guide will answer the question What is IPTV with complete details about services, how to use them, and much more.
We will also show you how to safely use IPTV to ensure your privacy when streaming live television.
Table of Contents
Legal Disclaimer: TROYPOINT does not develop, operate, host, distribute, or administer any streaming application, add-on, website, or service. Furthermore, we cannot determine the legality of any streaming platform reviewed on this website. TROYPOINT specializes in educational tech reviews, tutorials, and news which is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The end-user is solely responsible for media accessed and TROYPOINT assumes that all visitors are abiding by copyright laws set forth within their jurisdiction. Users should only stream works not protected by copyright when using unverified streaming solutions.
What is IPTV?
IPTV or Internet Protocol Television refers to live television streaming through the internet. Unlike old methods of viewing live television, IPTV does not require a cable box or satellite dish for broadcasts.
Instead, IPTV is installed as an application on any device including streaming devices, phones, tablets, computers, and more. This means you are not locked into one location and can view live television no matter your location.
IPTV Services vary immensely and there are tons of options to choose from. Most provide an app or APK that you can install on your preferred device to stream live content, VOD, and more.
You can even do many of the same things you would be able to with your previous subscription, such as record IPTV to watch your favorite shows whenever you prefer.
Using an IPTV Service will require a high-speed internet connection which most households already have. Most platforms will require at least 8 Mbps of download speed to stream live content without buffering. You can learn more at our resource guide below:
What is a Good Internet Speed?
This is why many prefer to use a streaming device such as a Fire TV Stick or Android/Google TV Box that have readily available applications to watch all of your favorite media.
These devices are oftentimes referred to as IPTV Boxes and using one or more of them is the best way to watch IPTV.
Why Use an IPTV Box?
Using an IPTV Box is the best way to get live media delivered to your television without having to cast from a separate device. In all likelihood, the most popular for watching IPTV is the Amazon Firestick/Fire TV.
The main reason for its popularity is that Firesticks have “sideloading” abilities, or 3rd party app capabilities that allow you to install apps that carry IPTV software! Users can also find thousands of applications that aren’t readily available within the Amazon App Store.
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While many prefer to use a Firestick, Android TV & Google Boxes are also extremely popular because they have the same sideloading options that allow users to access these free or paid applications!
Some of the most well-known boxes from Android/Google TV include the onn. 4K Pro, Google TV Streamer, BuzzTV, Formuler, and more which are all detailed in our list of Best IPTV Boxes for live streaming.
If you own a Roku device, you are likely going to be left out of the IPTV world as these devices feature a closed source operating system and this means on the Roku you won’t have access to these apps.
This means users are unable to install 3rd party applications and can only download “channels” that you find in the Roku Channel Store.
Luckily, TROYPOINT has created a workaround for this that can help Roku users stream IPTV on their device:
How to Watch IPTV on Roku (Best Apps/Players)
Choosing an IPTV Box all comes down to personal preference to determine what you will need the device for. Make sure to review our list of IPTV Boxes that will help narrow down your options and find one that is right for you!
IPTV Service Providers
As stated above, there are literally thousands of IPTV Services available today and choosing the one that is right for you may be a daunting task.
TROYPOINT categorizes these into two different types: Official Services and Unofficial Services and we explain these below.
Official Services
Official IPTV Services are those that you have probably heard of and are easily found in popular app stores and with official websites. You will see them in commercials and advertisements, and oftentimes bundled with streaming apps for live television access.
The reason we list these as “official” is because we assume they are legal as reputable app stores carry these applications and have vetted them for legal issues etc. When answering the question of What is IPTV, it is important first to recognize these official options.
Unofficial Services
If official services are those that we can find within well-known App Stores such as Google Play or Amazon, then unofficial options are those that are not readily available within these stores.
Oftentimes, users must sideload applications to get access to the live channels that they provide and this is usually a telltale sign of an “unofficial” provider.
We also consider these as unofficial options due to the fact that we cannot determine their legality and whether or not they have the correct broadcasting rights for the media that they provide.
Typically, unofficial options are available for a fraction of the price and usually offer more extensive packages and channels, oftentimes in the thousands that come from all areas around the world.
Because these are not vetted providers, we cannot be sure who the developers are and this can be concerning to lots of people. If you do choose to opt for one of these, using a VPN for IPTV is highly suggested to protect your sensitive data and ensure the protection of your privacy.
Choosing A Provider
Choosing an IPTV Service should be based on numerous factors that cater to the buyer’s preference.
With so many different live TV services to choose from, there are a few important factors to note when determining what the best option for you is.
Here are just a few key factors to consider when browsing through live options that you are looking to purchase.
- Price
- App Compatibility
- Channel options
- Number of Connections
- VPN Compatibility
- Payment Options
- Customer Support
- Sports Options
- and more
TROYPOINT has created an in-depth IPTV Guide that provides the Best live TV services for both Verified & Unverified Options.
A few of the most popular options include:
fuboTV
fubo is one of the most well-known “official” Provider Services available today. Many have heard of fubo as it has always been a hit for those looking to cut the cord, especially users looking to watch live sports content.
Best of all, users can test fubo with their 7-Day Free Trial which many other live TV services don’t provide and this includes nearly 200 channel options that can be viewed simultaneously on up to 10 devices!
Those who want “premium” registration have the ability to do so as Fubo also offers Elite/Deluxe packages with 4K HD streams and unlimited cloud DVR.
Registrants can easily install the fubo app via reputable app stores which means this is an official IPTV Service.
fuboTV Review & Information Guide
Philo
Another popular Verified IPTV Service is Philo. Philo is considered an affordable live TV service that is currently available for just $28/month (much less than other options).
Their lineup consists of over 70 channel offerings as well as a vast library of on-demand content (currently 75,000+ titles) that won’t buffer at all!
Just like fubo, Philo also offers a Free 7-Day Trial that will let you test this service prior to purchase to see if you like it. Use our Philo Review below for complete details and information regarding Phio.
How To Use IPTV Safely
One of the most important factors when deciding and using IPTV Services is to ensure your safety when streaming. Because there are so many IPTV Services, it is impossible for us to determine whether they carry the proper licensing.
If you can find applications for these services within popular app stores, then they are more than likely legal and official.
Oftentimes, unofficial services do not have the proper licensing for for the channels and content that they host. Here is TROYPOINT’s stance on IPTV legality:
TROYPOINT does not verify whether or not IPTV services carry the proper licensing for the content that they broadcast. The end-user shall be solely liable for any application or service used on their streaming devices.
Because these services are unofficial, we also do not know who the operators/developers are which can be of concern.
In order to properly ensure your privacy when using these services and other 3rd party applications, make sure to always connect to a trusted VPN before accessing them.
A VPN will encrypt your internet connection so onlookers, developers, and your ISP cannot track or monitor your internet activity.
The Best VPN for live media is Surfshark which has compatible, easy-to-install applications for any device. Some of the most prominent features include:
- No log retention policy
- Blazing Fast VPN Speeds
- Unlimited Simultaneous VPN Connections
- Compatible Apps for nearly any device
- 24/7 Customer Support
- and more
Is This Software Legal?
The legality of IPTV is a topic that is often brought up when looking into this technology.
As stated above, it is nearly impossible to determine which IPTV Services carry the proper licensing. Those that do not carry the proper licensing would certainly be illegal and users should use caution when streaming with these services.
There have been instances in the past where unofficial platforms have been sued and even worse for improperly streaming live channels.
This is why it is always important to do your research to find a vetted provider or one that is verified through a reputable App Store.
One instance of this was a popular live TV Service that had its data hacked which left many users exposed.
For more information, read our guide below which will tell you everything you need to know about the legality of IPTV.
Is IPTV Legal? Important Information You Should Know
Players
After you subscribe to an IPTV Service, there are numerous ways to view them. Most come with compatible, easy-to-install applications that are viewable on any streaming device or box.
However, for a premium viewing experience, we suggest using an IPTV Player. Many who ask What is IPTV are questioning IPTV Players which work in conjunction with live TV providers to stream channels in High Definition.
You can find both free and premium IPTV Players that come with added features for viewing. TROYOINT has created a list of Best IPTV Players for your streaming experience.
These IPTV Players work with nearly any live TV provider and can be installed on your preferred device. Some of the most popular include TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, iMPlayer, and more.
IPTV Players provide an easy-to-use interface with channel options and Electronic Program Guide to view options. Electronic Program Guides or EPG’s are the guides that integrate into an IPTV Player or Service with channel listings.
These come in all types of formats and are extremely helpful when browsing your options on live TV services.
Free Live Streaming
Some of the most popular IPTV options used today are free live TV services. There is no shortage of free options when it comes to IPTV but these oftentimes come with a catch.
Many Free IPTV Services are filled with advertisements and channels that don’t work. Usually, if you do find a working channel, it will not play in High Definition and typically buffer.
How to Stop Buffering on Firestick
However, we always recommend a paid service when streaming live TV. If you do choose to use a free live TV service, make sure to connect to a VPN first to ensure your privacy and safety.
Final Thoughts
We hope that we have helped answer the age-old question of What is IPTV and given you more insight into this ever-evolving technology. Because of the changes we see daily in this niche, this question can have hundreds of answers and there are tons of ways to describe exactly how it works.
Do you feel as though you have a better sense of Internet Protocol Television after reading our article above? What other questions do you have about this type of media? Let us know in the comments below!
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