STB stands for “Set-Top Box” in the context of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television). An STB is a device that enables the reception and display of television signals delivered over IP networks. It serves as a gateway between the IPTV service provider and the user’s television set.

An IPTV service delivers television content, such as live TV channels, video-on-demand (VOD) movies and shows, and interactive features, over an IP-based network, typically the Internet. The STB is connected to the user’s television set and an internet connection, allowing them to access and enjoy IPTV services on their TV.

The STB receives the IPTV signals from the service provider and decodes them into a format that can be displayed on the television. It typically includes features like an electronic program guide (EPG) for browsing and selecting channels, on-screen menus for navigating through content and settings, and sometimes even storage capabilities for recording programs.

STBs for IPTV come in various forms, including standalone devices that connect to the TV through HDMI or other video/audio outputs, as well as integrated solutions like smart TVs or streaming devices with built-in IPTV functionality. These devices provide an intuitive user interface and allow users to access a wide range of television content provided by IPTV service providers.

What is a setup box?

the advantages of using STB

In the following, some of the most important advantages of STBs are explained.  A set-top box or recognized as STB is a device with a tuner in it that captures an external source of the signal and delivers to the television set a high-quality picture. The set-top box is required to maintain receiving the signals in the digital format.

STB stands for Set-up Box is a device that turns the input signals into the ones that can be displayed on a TV screen or other devices. STBs also called Set-up Units (STU) are common tools to watch IPTV, cable TV, and satellite TV.

Features of setup boxes

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Roku is a popular brand and platform for streaming media devices. It offers a range of products that allow users to stream digital content, such as movies, TV shows, music, and games, directly to their television sets. The Roku devices connect to the internet and provide access to various streaming services, including popular ones like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. How to use the IPTV service on Roku?

Roku devices are known for their simplicity and user-friendly interface. They typically come in the form of small set-top boxes or streaming sticks that can be connected to a TV’s HDMI port. Once connected, users can navigate through the Roku interface using a remote control or the Roku mobile app.

One of the advantages of Roku is its extensive content library, which includes both free and paid streaming channels. It provides access to a wide range of entertainment options, allowing users to personalize their streaming experience. Additionally, Roku supports various resolutions, including 4K Ultra HD and HDR (High Dynamic Range), depending on the specific model.

Besides its hardware devices, Roku also licenses its operating system, called Roku OS, to TV manufacturers. This integration allows some smart TVs to have Roku functionality built directly into them.

Overall, Roku has become a popular choice for people looking to enhance their TV viewing experience by streaming content from various online platforms in a convenient and user-friendly manner. How to use the IPTV service on Roku?

How to set up Roku

Setting up a Roku device is a relatively straightforward process. All Roku players attach to your TV by HDMI. Roku Express+ combines the option to connect via a composite cable that operates with older TVs.

Discover your Roku type

There are two central types of Roku, both of which will need your TV to have at least one HDMI port.

• Roku Player — This is a setup box that appears with several cables.
• Roku Stick — Mirrors a flash drive that comes with at least one power cable.

Connect the Roku to your TV’s HDMI port

All HDTVs have at least one HDMI port; the HDMI port can often be located on the back of the TV. Based on your Roku type, this process will diversify lightly.

• Roku Player — Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the back side of the Roku Player’s box, then plug the other end into the HDMI port on the back or side of your TV.
• Roku Stick — Plug the HDMI connector on the end of your Roku Stick into the HDMI port on the back or side of your TV.
• Most HDTVs have more than one HDMI port.
• If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you cannot use a Roku Stick with your TV.
• Note the HDMI port’s number. On TVs that have more than one HDMI port, you’ll see a number next to the port into which you connected the Roku.

Attach the Roku to a power source

Both the Roku Player and the Roku Stick need a connection to a power source or a power outlet.

• Roku Player — Plug one end of the included power cable into the back of the player box, then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.
• Streaming Stick (model 3800 and down) Plug one end of the included power cable into the back of the stick, then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.
• Streaming Stick+ (model 3810) — Plug one end of the included power cable into the side of the stick, then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.

Please note, if your TV has a USB port, you can use that to connect a Roku stick and it works as a power source.

Connect to the internet

On the network section, perform the following steps:

• Scan for networks by selecting Scan again to see all networks and select “OK“
• Search through the available Wi-Fi networks till you find your network SSID.
• Choose the network by highlighting it and pressing “OK“
• Enter the password for the network by using the on-screen keyboard.
• Press “OK” when indicated.

After connecting to a network, you must allow Roku to get the latest update.

Verify the display settings

If you’re utilizing a Roku player, your Roku will quickly discover the suitable settings for your HDTV and apply them.

• For a Roku Streaming Stick, you’ll choose Set display type and leave the setup to run.
• On a Roku Streaming Stick+, you’ll choose Auto to identify display type alternatively.
• You can edit the display settings once your Roku is set up by opening Settings at a later time.

Activating Your Roku

You’ll require to insert the five-character code which appears on-screen in order to activate your Roku device.

• Go to https://my.roku.com/link
• You can additionally perform this process in a smartphone browser.
• In the text box in the center of the page, insert the five-character code.
• Now click on submit.
• Enter the on-screen text fields with your email address, password, and other necessary information.

This was the last step in setting up your Roku device for streaming IPTV channels. In order to use IPTV features on Roku, you can use the M3U playlist player application on your device. Setup a ROKU IPTV using the Web video caster

Watch Free Channels on Roku

Watching free channels such as Fox, History, etc. even in 4K quality is of the preferred features of Roku. By clicking on “Top Free Channels” you can find all the free content that will come to your TV by buying a Roku device. Youtube is placed on top of this list.

That’s it! Once you’ve completed these steps, your Roku device is set up and ready to stream content. You can start exploring the available channels, streaming services, and other features offered by Roku.

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OTT TV stands for “Over-the-Top Television.” It refers to the delivery of video content over the Internet directly to viewers, bypassing traditional broadcast and cable television platforms. With OTT TV, viewers can access and stream their favorite TV shows, movies, and other video content using internet-connected devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming media players.

OTT TV services are typically provided by streaming platforms or providers, which may include subscription-based services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+, as well as free ad-supported platforms like YouTube and Tubi. These services offer a wide range of on-demand content, allowing viewers to choose what they want to watch and when they want to watch it.

One of the key features of OTT TV is its flexibility and convenience. Viewers can access content on-demand, meaning they can watch shows and movies at their own pace, pausing, rewinding, or fast-forwarding as desired. Additionally, OTT TV allows for personalized recommendations and content discovery based on viewers’ preferences and viewing history.

OTT TV has gained significant popularity in recent years due to advancements in internet connectivity, the proliferation of smart devices, and the increasing availability of high-quality streaming content. It has revolutionized the way people consume television, offering greater control and choice over traditional TV broadcasting.

Which devices support OTT

PICON stands for Personal icon file. “Picon” refers to channel logos or icons used to represent TV channels in electronic program guides (EPGs) or on-screen menus. These Picons are usually small images or graphics that are associated with specific channels and displayed alongside their respective program listings.

Picons serve as visual identifiers for viewers, making it easier to navigate and find channels of interest. They provide a visual representation of the channel’s logo or branding, allowing users to quickly identify and select their desired content.

Picons are commonly used in IPTV setups, particularly with media center software or IPTV applications that provide an EPG feature. They can be customized or obtained from various sources, and users often associate Picons with their favorite channels to enhance the viewing experience.

Features of Picon :

1. Appearance and Design: Picons are typically small, square, or rectangular images that display the logo or emblem of a TV channel. They are usually designed to be visually appealing and easily recognizable. Picons may incorporate the channel’s name, branding elements, or distinctive symbols associated with the network or content.
2. Integration with EPGs: Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) are commonly used in IPTV systems to provide a schedule of upcoming programs and allow users to browse and select channels. Picons are often integrated into EPGs, appearing alongside the program listings for each channel. This visual representation helps users quickly identify channels and locate their preferred content.  What is EPG?
3. Picon Sources: Picons can be obtained from various sources. Some IPTV providers or software applications may include a preconfigured set of Picons for popular channels. Alternatively, users can create or customize their own Picons using image editing software or utilize online resources and communities dedicated to sharing Picon collections.
4. Formats and File Organization: Picons are typically stored as image files in formats such as PNG, JPEG, or SVG. They are organized in a directory structure that corresponds to the channel’s unique identifier or name. IPTV software or media center applications often have specific guidelines for the naming conventions and folder structure to ensure proper matching between Picons and channel listings.
5. Picon Management: As IPTV channel lineups can change or be customized, managing Picons can require periodic updates. Users may need to add, remove, or replace Picons as they modify their channel subscriptions or preferences. Some IPTV software provides built-in tools or plugins to facilitate the management of Picons, allowing users to easily assign or update Picons for their channels.

Overall, Picons play a significant role in enhancing the user experience of IPTV by providing a visual representation of TV channels within electronic program guides. They help users quickly identify channels and navigate through the available content, making it easier to find and select desired programs.

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Apple TV is a digital media player and streaming device developed by Apple Inc. It is designed to deliver digital content, including movies, TV shows, music, and photos, to a television screen. Apple TV connects to your television using an HDMI cable and uses your home network to access the internet and stream content from various sources. You can install IPTV on Apple TV via IP Television App.

There are two main components of Apple TV:

the physical device and the software interface.

The physical device is a small set-top box that connects to your television and provides the necessary ports for connectivity. It also includes a remote control for navigation.

The software interface, known as the Apple TV operating system (tvOS), allows users to access a wide range of streaming services, such as Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and many others. Users can browse through a selection of movies, TV shows, and apps, and stream them directly to their television. Apple TV also integrates with other Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs, allowing users to stream content from their personal libraries or mirror their screens onto the TV.

In addition to streaming services, Apple TV offers features like AirPlay, which allows you to wirelessly stream content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to the TV. It also supports voice control through Siri, enabling users to search for content, control playback, and access various settings using voice commands.

Apple has released multiple generations of Apple TV over the years, with each iteration introducing new features and improvements. The latest version as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021 is the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), which supports 4K HDR content and features an upgraded processor for enhanced performance.

There are found generations of Apple TV and the latest one, 4th generation, is the most favored one. This device is also compatible with the KODI media player and you can install IPTV channels on Kodi while using your Apple TV.

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IPTV apps can be installed on any smart device. Besides Android smartphones and Firestick devices, you can also install and stream IPTV videos on PlayStation game consoles.

Plex is a Media Server program for general users, The Plex app lets you stream IPTV on both the PS4 and PS3. On PlayStation, you can install additional apps from the Microsoft Store. So without further ado, let’s get started.

An Overview of Plex

Plex appears as a media playback system that enables users to simply share their movies, TV series, songs, photos, and fundamentally any multimedia content that they have in storage. It utilizes a server to host all your media content and media players to stream the content. By installing the Plex Media Server to a PC on your personal network and adding media contents to your libraries, the server will retrieve the information concerning the library. Once that’s completed, you can connect a player App (In Plex it’s called Client) to the PC in the living room, your mobile, tablet, etc. By connecting these devices to your home network the Apps will instantly identify the Server and display your media contents ready to be played and streamed.

Host your Media Content in a Central Location

In order to use Plex and make it functional, you must establish the server on a PC somewhere in your house. Without establishing a server, the Apps won’t be capable to play any media content. That process might appear a little bit complicated, however, the advantages it gives are enormous. In our personal experience, the first time when we load up the plex, it was extraordinary and exciting to use.

Easy Sharing

Combining an App with your Plex structure is easy. First, you must install the App, start it and see it as it discovers the Plex servers on the network. The server transmits the App details about your personal media library and it’s ready to watch. The excellent thing about this part is that, when the server is installed correctly and is up and running, you don’t need to take any extra steps. It actually needs a few seconds to get the App to identify the contents and play them.

Centralized Control

Holding all your contents stored by a central server indicates that you have a singular place to control your media content collection. You have the ability to add new movies, or simply edit the poster picture being used for your beloved TV series. Every feature of the server is controlled via the Plex Web App. It operates in a web browser from anywhere in your house, therefore you don’t have to be at a particular place to contrive your media library. When a modification is performed, it’s instantly available to all the Apps in your house without taking any further actions.

Keep a Record of What You’ve Watched

The server retains track of what you have viewed, or are in the progress of watching. Each archive has a “watched” state sign that allows you to know that you have or haven’t watched the content. Additionally, if you stopped watching in a middle of a show, it recognizes where you left off and attempts to take up from where you stopped. This feature appears on any App, not just the one you started watching the content on in the first place.

How to bring IPTV channels to PS4 using Plex

Step 1: Start by downloading Notepad++ and Installing it to move to the next step.
Download:

https://notepad-plus-plus.org/download/

Step 2: Now proceed to https://www.plex.tv/ and create an account. As we stated in the above article, with Plex you can stream movies, music, and pictures from your computer, but this guide will going to focus on IPTV for PS4.

Step 3: After creating your account, go to the “Downloads” section and look for “Plex Media Server” and download it.

Step 4: After downloading and installing Plex, you can go ahead and launch it.

Step 5: Now you need the IPTV plugin for Plex.

Step 6: After extracting the folder, you must paste the whole folder (IPTV.bundle-master) in this location:

C: /users/"your computer username"/AppData/Local/Plex Media Server/Plug-ins

Step 7: After extracting the zip file, you will see a subfolder called contents, inside that folder, there is a file called info (.plist). Do a Right click on this file and select the option “edit with Notepad++”, you will notice this image:

Step 8: Now you must remove the bold section of the line:

<!--<string>UseRealRTMP</string>-->

and leave only

<string>UseRealRTMP</string>

just like the below image:

Step 9: Enter the folder “Contents” and open “Resources”. Here you must download your M3U playlist and replace it with the playlist file which already exists in this folder.

Step 10: Move back to the folder “IPTV.bundle-master” and rename it to “IPTV.bundle”

Step 11: The PC part is done for now. Turn on your PS4, open the store and search for PLEX and download it.

Step 12: After downloading and launching Plex on PS4, you need a code to sign in to your account which you can go to https://plex.tv/link and enter it.

Step 13: As the final step, open Plex on your computer and then on your PS4 in order to watch the channels that you added earlier.

Please note:
*The Plex needs to be opened all the time on your computer before watching the channels on your PS4.
*Don’t forget to close and restart PLEX on both PC & Playstation after updating the playlist.m3u inside the resources folder.
*The channels are also available to stream on your phones & tablets through the Plex app on your PC.

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The Cloud Stream IPTV player is an easy-to-use application for iOS. The application was introduced by Giovanny Aranda for the streaming of IPTV. The program is widely accessible in many different languages such as French, English, Italian, and Spanish, etc.

Watch the TV IPTV from your ISP or any other TV Internet source from your iPhone or iPad with EPG and the ability to create a favorites list from your selected channels.

How to add IPTV channels to Cloud Stream IPTV Player

Step 1: Start by downloading the app from the app store via this URL:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cloud-stream-iptv-player/id1138002135#?platform=ipad 
and install it on your iOS device.

Step 2: After downloading the app, click on the 3 lines and then select the + sign just as depicted in the below picture.

Step 3:  You will then be offered a new screen, click on “LOAD M3U FILE” and add the M3U link that you received from your IPTV distributor. What is M3U?

Step 4: After your M3U playlist is loaded, a new screen will be displayed, enter a name (any name) for the playlist and then pick your country (Choosing the country will also help with setting up the EPG).

Step 5: You can also check the EPG information regarding each channel from the EPG tab.

Features of Cloud Stream IPTV Player

• Play IPTV
• Streaming for Internet channels
• Play-multicast streams through a UDP proxy (the proxy must be configured in your local network)
• Support M3U and XML, ability to add playlists from the file system device, via the Internet, or from the clipboard.
• Channel information and logo is available
• Support for JSON format lists with extension W3U and WISE
• Programming Guide EPG
• A few video servers are supported

Additional features:
– Share lists between devices using Airdrop, mail, messages, or any other application installed on the device.
– Favorites.
– Theme Light and Dark.
– Parental Lock on the player to keep children on the player.
– If the channel allows, switch subtitles and secondary audio.
– If the m3u list contains groups these will be displayed in the application.
– Schedule reminders for broadcast programs using the bell in the programming grid

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The MAG Box uses the MAC address to establish its identity on a network. It is typically a 12-digit alphanumeric code, commonly displayed in the format of six pairs of hexadecimal characters (e.g., 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). Each MAG Box has a distinct MAC address assigned by the manufacturer, and it serves as a means of identification when connecting the device to a network or configuring network-related settings.

Where to find the MAC address

In order to find the MAC address of your MAG box, simply turn the box around and you can find the MAC address on the backside of your device. The Mac address usually starts with 00:1A:79 and the rest of the numbers and characters are exclusive to each box.

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The TVIP Box console meets all the modern requirements of a multimedia device. The TVIP Box console support of streaming media, video on demand (VOD), playback of digital channels in high quality, as well as access to OTT content (youtube, Picasa, online entertainment, weather forecast, social networking, and others) and even includes a Web browser.

TVIP Box is very similar to the MAG boxes and somehow emulates the MAG box embedded software. What is MAG?

How to add IPTV channels to TVIP Box (New version)

If you have new TVIP boxes like 605, or 615 you can use this tutorial, but if your box is an older version like 410 you need to update the TVIP box operating system or Use the tutorial for old versions.

Step 1: After running the TVIP box and setting the primary setting like language and time, Start from the main menu and go down to see “Setting” and click on “TV” as depicted in the below picture.

Step 2: Now change the Content source to “Web portal” and click on “Setup Web portal“.

Step 3: First change the API Mode to “MAG” then on the “Portal URL:” enter your portal server address (you can ask for this info from your IPTV distributor) and click on “Apply” and “Restart“.

Note: If you don’t have “MAG” API in your setting use “GSTB” API.

Now you must insert your device Mac address to your IPTV dashboard or simply give it to your IPTV distributor.

The progressive IPTV providers give you a dashboard in which you can add MAC to your line yourself on the dashboard.

Note: You can find the TVIP box MAC address on the back of the box.

Step 4: After restarting the box in the main menu click on “Watch TV“, you must wait for the portal to load your playlist. This might take a few minutes.

Step 5: As you can see the channels will pop up automatically and you can select any desired channel and start the streaming.

How to add IPTV channels to TVIP Box using M3U URL

In Step 2 of the above tutorial change the Content source to “M3U-playlist” and click on “Setup M3U-playlist“.

Enter the M3U URL which you receive from your IPTV provider here and click on “Apply” and “Restart“.

How to add IPTV channels to TVIP Box (Old version)

Step 1: Start from the main menu and select “Setting” as depicted in the below picture.

Step 2: Now on the right menu select the “TV” icon and then on the right side change the Content source to “Web portal” and click on “Setup Web portal“

Step 3: Now on the “Portal URL:” enter your portal server address (you can ask for this info from your IPTV distributor) and click on “Apply“.

Now you must insert your device Mac address to your IPTV dashboard or simply give it to your IPTV distributor.
The progressive IPTV providers give you a dashboard in which you can add MAC to your line yourself on the dashboard.

Note: You can find the TVIP box MAC address on the back of the box.

Step 4: After adding your portal server address, you must wait for the portal to load your playlist. This might take a few minutes.

Step 5: As you can see the channels will pop up automatically and you can select any desired channel and start the streaming.

Features of TVIP Box

• Under the operation of the middle product TVIP
• Under the operation of the IPTV middle Product portal
• Under the company that middle Product ‘Stalker’ purse
• Clients Custom Middle Product over c + + API
• Without a middle Product with easy dress M3U playlists
• Media Player with USB/LAN Media Supported playback
• Customers Custom Middle Product via HTML5/JS API
• Customers’ Custom Android APK
• Windows sharing support (Samba)
• External USB and SD card support
• Support for FileSystems: FAT16/32, NTFS (read), NFS, ext2, ext3
• Streaming Media protocol support RTSP, RTP, UDP, IGMP, HTTP
• Timeshift using a USB drive or SD card
• M3U playlist support
• TV Guide Support for EPG: Xmltv and JTV
• AIR MOUSE support

Powerful CPU

TVIP media centers always include modern SoC with powerful multi-core CPUs, that allow your customers to enjoy all modern multimedia applications, that are not only developed today but will be developed in the next couple of years.

USB support

All TVIP S-Box carry the USB-host connection.
You can connect flash drives, HDD, keyboards, and wireless remotes and play video or music directly from an external hard drive or flash card. This will be a great extension of your service.

TVIP S-BOX supports AVI, MKV, MP4, and many other media formats. It also supports multichannel audio and subtitles.

High-quality WiFi

These are diverse options for nearly all media centers:

• WiFi 2,4 GHz
• WiFi 2,4/5 GHz

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Amazon Fire TV is a line of digital media players and streaming devices developed by Amazon. It allows users to stream a wide range of digital content, including movies, TV shows, music, and games, directly to their televisions. Fire TV devices connect to the internet and offer access to various streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and many others.

The Fire TV is similar to other media players, like the Roku family of streaming boxes, and Google Chromecast. It is a device that connects to a TV via an HDMI port and lets you choose from thousands of streaming channels (like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and many others).

In addition to streaming media, Fire TV devices support other features like screen mirroring from compatible devices, gaming with the optional Fire TV Game Controller, and integration with smart home devices through Alexa.

This device, in general, is divided into four main categories: Fire TV, Firestick, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Recast. Although the two model shares various features, FireTV is more compatible with IPTV usage.

Installing IPTV on Fire TV

To install IPTV (Internet Protocol television) on your Amazon Fire TV device, you can follow these general steps:

1. Enable app installation from unknown sources:
   • Go to the “Settings” menu on your Fire TV device.
   • Select “My Fire TV” or “Device” (depending on your Fire TV version).
   • Choose “Developer options.”
   • Turn on the “Apps from Unknown Sources” option.
2. Install the IPTV app:
   • Return to the home screen of your Fire TV device.
   • Search for and install a suitable IPTV app from the Amazon Appstore. Some popular options include “IPTV Smarters,” “TiviMate IPTV Player,” or “GSE Smart IPTV.“
   • Use the remote or voice search to find the app, and then select “Install” to begin the installation process.
3. Launch the IPTV app and configure it:
   • Once the installation is complete, return to the home screen and open the newly installed IPTV app.
   • You will be prompted to enter your IPTV service provider’s details, such as the URL or M3U playlist.
   • Consult your IPTV service provider for the necessary information. They should provide you with an M3U playlist file or a URL that contains the channel list.
   • Enter the provided information in the appropriate fields within the IPTV app.
4. Enjoy IPTV on your Fire TV:
   • After you’ve entered the necessary details, save the settings and exit the configuration menu.
   • The IPTV app should now display the available channels and content from your IPTV service provider.
   • Use the app’s interface or remote control to navigate through the channels, select content, and enjoy IPTV on your Fire TV device.

Please note that the specific steps and available IPTV apps may vary slightly depending on the version of Fire TV you have and the IPTV app you choose. It’s always recommended to refer to the app’s documentation or consult your IPTV service provider for any specific instructions they may have provided.

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