IPTV guide

IPTV: what is it and how does it work?

You have probably come across the word “IPTV” while looking for ways to watch TV other than through your internet box. Behind this acronym lies a very widespread technology, which you may already be using without knowing it. This guide explains what IPTV is, how it works, how it differs from digital terrestrial TV or your provider’s TV box, and what to check before choosing a service.

IPTV: what it is and how it works

What is IPTV?

IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. Instead of arriving through a rooftop aerial (digital terrestrial TV) or a dish (satellite), the pictures are carried as data packets, exactly like a web page or an online video.

The term actually covers two uses:

  • Provider IPTV: the TV service of your internet box (in France, Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom) is IPTV. It travels over your internet provider’s private network, to the set-top box next to your TV.
  • Internet IPTV (also called OTT, for over-the-top): the stream goes over the public internet, so you can watch on any connected device, whatever your internet provider. This is the case for services such as Vepix TV.

In the rest of this guide, “IPTV” refers to this second use: a service independent of your internet box, which you access with an app.

How does IPTV work?

The principle comes down to three elements: a server that broadcasts the programmes, your internet connection that carries them, and an app that displays them on your screen.

  1. The service encodes each programme as a digital video stream, at several quality levels (SD, HD, 4K depending on the content).
  2. When you choose a programme in your app, the app requests the matching stream from the server.
  3. The data arrives in small chunks, is buffered for a few seconds, then displayed. This buffer absorbs small variations in your connection.

To access the service, the app needs your login details. They usually take one of two forms: an M3U playlist link, or a server address, username and password in Xtream Codes format. Our article M3U link or Xtream Codes: what’s the difference? explains both formats.

Live TV, catch-up and video on demand

An IPTV service can offer three types of content: live TV, organised into channels; catch-up, to rewatch a programme already broadcast; and video on demand (movies, series, documentaries), which you start whenever you like. The programme guide (EPG) shows what is on now and next, as on traditional TV. What each service actually includes depends on the rights it has acquired.

IPTV, terrestrial TV, satellite and provider boxes: the differences

Each way of receiving TV has its strengths. The list below sums up the essentials.

  • Digital terrestrial TV: free with no subscription, but limited to free national channels and to a TV connected to an aerial.
  • Satellite: covers areas poorly served by internet or terrestrial TV, but requires a dish and a decoder.
  • Provider box TV: included in many internet plans, very stable because it travels over the provider’s network, but tied to that provider and often to a set-top box.
  • Internet IPTV: independent of your internet provider, usable on several devices and wherever you have a connection, but its quality depends directly on your internet speed.

If you are torn between your provider’s TV and an IPTV service, our comparison IPTV or a provider TV box: which to choose? will help you decide based on your needs.

The equipment you need

Good news: you probably already have everything you need. An IPTV service works on most connected screens:

You also need an IPTV player app, installed from the device’s app store, and a sufficient internet connection. For a smooth picture, allow about 10 Mbps of stable speed for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. Our article What internet speed for IPTV? explains how to check yours.

What to check before subscribing

Not all IPTV services are equal. Before paying, take a few minutes to check the following points.

Whether the offer is legal

IPTV technology is perfectly legal. What is not legal is broadcasting channels or movies without holding the rights to them. A reputable service displays its identity (legal notice, terms of sale) and does not promise “every pay channel” for a few euros. To find out more, read Legal or illegal IPTV in France: what you need to know.

Compatibility with your devices

Check that the service works on the screen you will use most, and that it offers a suitable setup guide. At Vepix TV, our setup guides cover seven families of devices.

The number of screens

A subscription gives access to a limited number of screens at the same time. If several people in your household watch simultaneously, you need a multi-screen plan, such as our 12-month 2-screen subscription.

Length and commitment

Prefer a plan whose total cost you know in advance. At Vepix TV, each plan is paid once, from 3 to 24 months, with no automatic renewal: you never pay for a period you did not choose.

Payment and support

A recognised payment method (PayPal, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay) protects you if something goes wrong. Also check that support is available and that common questions are answered in an FAQ.

In short

IPTV is television carried over the internet: a service, an app and a connection are all you need to watch on most of your screens. Before subscribing, check that the offer is legal, that it works with your devices, how many screens are included and the payment terms.

Ready to try? Discover our IPTV subscription plans, from 3 to 24 months, starting at €20 for 3 months.

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