You may not even notice the change. However, the transition from broadcasting and cable television to Internet Protocol television happened in many households, and it is replacing old formats all over the world every day.
IPTV is here, and you are probably already using it. One of the main advantages of Internet Protocol television is the availability and uninterrupted transmission even in worsened weather conditions.
Table of Content:
What is IPTV?
Imagine IPTV as a hybrid between regular TV which provides you live/real-time content, and a video library for movies and TV series. On IPTV, you can also rewind and re-watch the real-time content.
The main mistake people think is that IPTV runs on a regular internet network. This technology uses an entirely private internet network with unique IPs for transmissions.
IPTV providers can mediate many features from VOD (Video on Demand) on which, for example, the well-known Netflix works, to live transmissions for sports and other events.
IPTV receivers
IPTV is not relying on one type of receiver. You can use this service on every smart device, from your laptop to your mobile phone. The majority of modern TVs already have built-in IPTV receivers. Nonetheless, if your TV is not smart enough, do not despair because you can still use this service through so-called IPTV boxes.
IPTV on computers, smart devices, and TVs
We’ve mixed these three categories because many applications have fairly broad cross-platform compatibility. Nowadays, you can watch IPTV content on all smart devices, and in many cases, you can also use the same program.
For example, a well-known VLC Media Player can mediate a solid IPTV connection on a notebook, smart TV, and even a mobile phone. However, what is the best app for each category?
VLC Media Player – best pick for PC and laptop
As I said, VLC is compatible across all devices, and it does solid work. Nonetheless, VLC is, in the end, best suited for your laptop or desk computer, where you can use advanced features and better navigate through a less clear user interface.
To launch IPTV on VLC:
Move the cursor to the media section -> Click on Open Network Streams -> Type or paste the URL of the IPTV network -> Press Enter and IPTV channels shows on the left panel of VLC
Pros & Cons
+ Easy to use
+ Works on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux
+ Free
– Old user interface
GSE SMART IPTV – our choice for Android & iOS
Need a simple tool to watch your favorite shows, movies, and programs on the mobile phone or tablet? Then download GSE SMART IPTV beside VLC. It provides a clean interface and serves only as an IPTV app so that you won’t get lost in it.
Pros & Cons
+ Clean UI
+ Free
+ EPG loading in real-time
– Distracting Ads
IPTV Extreme – perfect for smart TVs
In the final, most reliable IPTV for your smart TV (Samsung, Panasonic, Philips…). The most significant advantage of IPTV Extreme is a straightforward and clear interface with customizable settings.
And why is IPTV Extreme so good for TVs? Because of the minor features that will deliver the perfect experience. You can set up the alert on a show you want to see, project the smartphone’s screen onto TV, or turn on parental control.
Pros & Cons
+ Intuitive settings
+ Free with cheap premium ($0.99)
+ Many additional features
– Annoying ads
IPTV boxes
This section is reserved for those who do not own a TV smart enough to stream IPTV or who want additional features of these boxes. Because most of them, besides live streaming, include VOD and games. Let’s look at the top three available now on the market.
Amazon Fire TV Stick – affordable quality
If you search for a cheap and reliable IPTV box that will provide you with high-quality streaming, a simple user interface, and a ton of features, Fire TV is suitable for you.
This device is available in two main variants differing in resolution. What I personally love on Fire TV Stick is the simplicity of installation and the fact that it does not take any place on your TV table. You will be pleased by the highly functional Amazon’s voice remote, and in the higher version, you can also enjoy Dolby Atmos.
Attributes
| Price | from $30 to $60 |
| Voice assistant | Yes; Alexa |
| Resolution | from HD to 4K |
| Storage Space | 8 GB |
| Supported apps | Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, ITV Hub, ZDF, BBC iPlayer, DAZN, Disney Plus, and more |
Apple TV– best experience
If you are seeking the best experience, go for Apple TV. Apple is famous mainly for its flawless software and innovative ideas, and this device is no exception. Apple TV mediates an easy-to-handle user interface with access to the App Store. So, if most of your devices already come from this company, buy Apple TV without hesitation as it complements the whole ecosystem.
However, even for the first buy from Apple, this box brings you everything you need. Voice assistant, 4K support, and Dolby Atmos are a matter of course. You will also be pleased by the A10X Fusion Chip, which is a graphic chip that allows you to download and play games from App Store.
Attributes
| Price | from $200 to $220 |
| Voice assistant | Yes; Siri |
| Resolution | 4K |
| Storage Space | 32 or 64 GB |
| Supported apps | Netflix, Disney Plus, Sky Ticket, TV Now Plus, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, App Store, and more |
NVIDIA Shield TV – top performance
The last on the IPTV boxes list is the less known NVIDIA Shield TV, a hybrid between IPTV box and gaming console. I am not kidding. This little device is three-time faster than the closest competitor. Thanks to the Nvidia gaming graphic chip, it allows you to play full-fledged games like Tomb Raider, Far Cry 5, or BioShock Remastered.
Even when it comes to regular TV features, Nvidia Shield does not fall behind and provides three-dimensional sound combined with UHD or 4k resolution and tons of app.
Attributes
| Price | from $155 to $220 |
| Voice assistant | Yes |
| Resolution | 4K HDR |
| Storage Space | 8 or 16 GB |
| Supported apps | Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Go, Sky Ticket, TV Now Plus, Nvidia Store, and more |
What is next?
The future of IPTV is shining bright because this technology goes hand in hand with modern standards. From the last reports, this market should increase its value to over $117 billion by 2025. Also, with increasing connectivity, people seek smarter solutions that allow them more than just to watch pre-planned TV series and movies.