IPTV Terminology Glossary: M3U, Xtream Codes, EPG and More

This is a quick-reference glossary for the terms you'll run into setting up or researching IPTV — most subscribers never need more than their login credentials, but these definitions help when troubleshooting or comparing providers.

Core terms

• IPTV — Internet Protocol Television; delivering TV channels and video over an internet connection instead of cable or satellite.
• M3U — a plain-text playlist file listing the streaming URL of every channel in a subscription. See M3U vs Xtream Codes for detail.
• Xtream Codes API — a login-based method (server, username, password) that lets a player app fetch channels, VOD and EPG data automatically.
• EPG — Electronic Program Guide; the scrollable now-and-next TV guide inside a player app. See what an EPG is.
• VOD — Video on Demand; a fixed movie and series library you can watch anytime. See what is VOD?
• MAG portal — a login method used by MAG-brand set-top boxes, tying a subscription to the box's MAC address rather than a username/password.
• Catch-up TV — the ability to replay a live channel's recent broadcasts, usually the last several days.
• Anti-freeze technology — server-side load balancing that automatically reroutes streams during peak demand to prevent buffering.

Are these terms provider-specific?

No — they're industry-standard formats and concepts used across the IPTV ecosystem generally, not specific to any single provider.

More terms you may encounter

• Xtream Codes panel — the backend software many providers use to manage subscriptions, generate credentials and serve the API a player app connects to.
• XMLTV — a standard file format some EPG data is delivered in, separate from the live channel stream itself.
• Adaptive bitrate — a stream encoded at multiple quality levels so a player can step down automatically if your connection slows.
• Simultaneous streams — how many devices on one subscription can play video at the exact same moment, distinct from how many devices have the app installed.
• Sideloading — installing an app from outside an official app store, the method used on Firestick since the Amazon Appstore doesn't carry mainstream IPTV apps.
• Portal URL — the server address a MAG box or Enigma2 receiver connects to, functioning similarly to an Xtream Codes login for that hardware type.
• Anti-freeze / load balancing — server-side techniques that automatically shift streams to less-loaded servers during peak demand.

Where to go deeper

For the full mechanics behind these terms, see how does IPTV work? For device-specific application of these formats, see the device compatibility guide.

Written by the TiviStation team · Published September 2, 2026. Questions about anything in this guide? Contact our 24/7 support team or learn more about TiviStation.