New to IPTV - looking to get started, but had questions.

by Shyam09

Hey everyone,

I’ve been doing some research into IPTVs over the last few days and I’m honestly lost. I was hoping to get some information or help point me in a proper direction.

  1. what’s the difference between an Android TV box and a IPTV box like Formuler Z8? I get the difference in terms of functionality and features, but is there an advantage of one over the other outside of apps? I’ve heard Tivimate as a recommended Android TV app, and I presume you’re stuck with whatever comes on the IPTV box.

  2. I do not understand “stalkers” one bit. Is it just a name?

  3. Certain IPTVs require you to add your MAC address, but it only seems that way if you have an IPTV box.

  4. Are there apps on the Apple TV that work as well? I’ve heard iPlayTV and IPTVX are two recommended ones, but I haven’t come across much advertising regarding Apple TV being compatible.

  5. If you have multiple TVs in the house and want IPTV access on all of them, is it recommended to get multiple IPTV boxes or should I look for provided with m3u playlists?

Thanks, I appreciate any help!

Edit: to add - I primarily use and prefer my Apple TV as a media streamer.

Newfeeflip

For each of your questions do a search and you'll come across posts that will answer them. Even your first question can be answered by reading an earlier thread posted before yours. Don't mean to sound harsh but these questions get asked almost every day.

blackboy211

Do yourself a favour. Buy a nvidia shield. Get Tivimate. Try to stay away from IPTV's that require your mac address. These IPTV services tend to hide their M3U playlists and only have one single connection. There are countless of other IPTV services that distribute their M3U URL with multiple concurrent connections that work using tivimate. Apple TV is very sparse on IPTV I'm guessing because they have a stake in the streaming market and will do anything to stamp out IPTV. so don't bother with apple. Android all the way.

Trantek

Linux Stalker has been around for over 10 years, Infomir took Stalker and keep upgrading the code to become Ministra up to version 5.6 now

They are the proven platform. Formuler z8 same as Dreamlink t3 is an android box and what make unique is that company spend time to develop a good STB app called MyTVOnline 2 to handle Stalker/Ministra middleware platform, which can handle over 100,000 connections.

It is up to who ever build the platform to do it properly. Stalker is the older of Ministra, if properly done, it works extremely well.

At the same token, Xtream code also works well and tivimate is one of them, keep in mind that 90% of Xtream code are either over load and often get hacked, show me one that has redundant servers, only a few are willing to spend money at level 3 data center

i came from data center business, servers and internet is what i live and breath on. you can trace them to servers.

XC often relies on the same white label app running off smarter players, this is why tivimate is better than all of them. Till you can match the back end hosting them the app is worthless.

m3u can get big and too much step for you to enter and it can get big for the file and cause your z8 to crash.

nVidia sheild is a great box to run netflix etc but when it comes to Linux Stalker Ministra, you have to use STB emul pro which a waste of money. it runs a layer on Shield, and you have to map the 4 color buttons.

BLAF2244

I was new to IPTV recently, about 3 months, like the other comment, get a NVIDIA Shield Pro, in addition buy a USB SlimFit USB card, this allows for extra device storage for recording, as TiViMate allows you to record shows. Get yourself TiViMate. When loading your EPG add "&next_days=7" to the end of your EPG provided by your IPTV service. This will extend the EPG guide shown for you, makes recording in advance earlier easier. Stay away from Apple, I had that and sold all my AppleTV Boxes. If you do it right, you will have all your TV watching through 1 input on your TV. Netflix, Prime Video, Plex. Android has all these in Google Play for the NVIDIA Shield. Youtube has lots of excellent videos to help you through the process. Good Luck. PS: Load your IPTV service information using Extreme Codes, its easier.

wxbizman

There are numerous IPTV apps for iOS and for TViOS and some are quite good. The best, imho, is IPTVX. it’s probably the best one available for TVs - android or iOS. Plus, IPTVX now syncs across all of your devices via iCloud. My second best choice for Apple TV is GSE. It’s feature packed and works very well. So, stick with Apple, and you will be quite happy!