Kastoo
Someone mentioned “the EPG”, “the portal” or “a 509 error” and you don’t know what it is? Here are the terms that come up most with IPTV, grouped by topic and explained without jargon.
Lists and accounts
- IPTV
- TV delivered over the internet instead of an aerial or satellite. More in what is IPTV.
- M3U / M3U8 list
- A text file (or URL) with the address, name and category of each channel. M3U8 is the same list in UTF-8 characters.
- Xtream Codes
- A way of logging in to a service with a server, username and password. It gives access to channels, movies, series and the guide. See M3U or Xtream Codes.
- Portal (MAC)
- A system where the provider activates your device by its MAC address. Typical of some set-top boxes; not every player supports it.
- MAC address
- A device identifier. In Kastoo, together with a key, it is used to add lists to a device from your phone. See where to find the MAC.
- Provider
- The company that broadcasts the content and gives you the list or account. It must hold the rights to what it broadcasts.
- Player
- The app that opens your list and plays the channels. It includes no content.
Guide and content
- EPG
- Electronic programme guide: what is on now and next on each channel.
- XMLTV
- The file format of the programme guide. It is added with a URL that usually ends in .xml or .xml.gz.
- VOD
- Video on demand: movies and series you watch whenever you like, not live.
- Catch-up
- Watching programmes broadcast in the last few days, if your provider offers it.
- Timeshift
- Pausing or rewinding a live broadcast.
- Multiview
- Watching several channels at once on the same screen. It uses one connection per channel.
- Parental controls
- PIN locking for the categories you don’t want children to watch.
Video and connection
- Bitrate
- The amount of data per second in a channel, in Mbps. More bitrate means more quality and more data.
- Mbps
- Megabits per second, the unit of internet speed. See what speed you need.
- Buffer
- A chunk of video the player downloads in advance so it doesn’t stall.
- HLS
- A streaming format that splits the video into small segments. Its internal playlists end in .m3u8.
- MPEG-TS (.ts)
- A continuous streaming format widely used in IPTV. Some providers let you choose between HLS and TS.
- Codec (H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1)
- A way of compressing video. H.265 and AV1 use less data at the same quality, but your device must support them.
- 4K / UHD
- A resolution of 3840 Ă— 2160. It needs about 25 Mbps of stable speed.
- HDR and Dolby Vision
- Pictures with more contrast and colour. You only see them if the channel, the device and the TV support them.
- Simultaneous connections
- How many devices can watch your account at the same time. If you exceed them, channels cut out.
- Error 509 / “too many connections”
- Your account is already in use on the maximum number of devices. See what the errors mean.
- User-Agent
- The name the player gives itself when talking to the server. Some providers only accept certain values.
Devices and installation
- TV box
- A small device that plugs into HDMI and turns any TV into a smart TV. See the best TV boxes.
- Google TV / Android TV
- Google’s systems for TVs; Google TV is the modern interface of Android TV. See the differences.
- webOS / Tizen
- The systems used by LG (webOS) and Samsung (Tizen) TVs.
- APK
- An Android app installation file. It is installed from the developer’s website when the app isn’t in the store.
- Downloader
- A free app for downloading and installing APKs on Android TV and Google TV with the remote.
- Chromecast, AirPlay and DLNA
- Ways of sending video from your phone to the TV. See how to send IPTV to the TV.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between M3U and Xtream Codes?
M3U is a URL with the list of channels; Xtream Codes is an account with a server, username and password that also gives you movies, series and the guide in a more organised way.
Where do I get the EPG URL?
Your provider gives it to you. With Xtream Codes it usually loads automatically.
Which is better, HLS or TS?
It depends on the provider. If one format buffers, try the other.
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Kastoo is just a player: it does not sell, host or include lists, channels, movies or subscriptions. The screenshots use a demo list with openly licensed content.