This glossary explains common IPTV, streaming, device, network, and subscription terms in plain language. Definitions describe general concepts and do not promise that every service or device supports every format.
2
- 2.4 GHz band
- The 2.4 GHz band is a radio-frequency range used by Wi-Fi and other wireless devices. Range and performance depend on the environment and competing signals. Read the related guide.
5
- 5 GHz band
- The 5 GHz band is a radio-frequency range used by Wi-Fi. Performance depends on distance, obstacles, device support, and interference. Read the related guide.
A
- Automatic renewal
- Automatic renewal means a subscription continues for another term unless it is canceled according to the applicable terms. Read the related guide.
B
- Bandwidth
- Bandwidth is the capacity of a network connection to carry data over time. Capacity available to a device may be shared with other activity. Read the related guide.
- Bandwidth congestion
- Bandwidth congestion happens when network demand competes for limited capacity, which can reduce the data rate available to a device. Read the related guide.
- Bitrate
- Bitrate is the amount of data used to represent audio or video over time, usually expressed in bits per second. Read the related guide.
- Buffering
- Buffering is the temporary collection of media data before or during playback. Playback can pause while a device waits for enough data to continue. Read the related guide.
C
- Cable TV
- Cable television delivers programming over a cable network to a subscriber’s home and compatible equipment. Read the related guide.
- Channel lineup
- A channel lineup is the collection of channels a television service makes available to a viewer. Read the related guide.
- Computer
- A computer is a general-purpose device that can access online media through compatible software or a web browser. Read the related guide.
- Cord cutting
- Cord cutting is the choice to cancel or replace a traditional cable or satellite TV subscription, often by combining other viewing options. Read the related guide.
D
- Data cap
- A data cap is a limit on the amount of data an internet plan allows during a stated period. Limits and overage terms depend on the plan.
E
- Electronic program guide (EPG)
- An electronic program guide is an on-screen schedule that organizes channel and program information for browsing. Read the related guide.
- Ethernet
- Ethernet is a family of wired networking standards commonly used to connect devices to a local network. Read the related guide.
F
- Free trial
- A free trial is a limited evaluation period offered before a customer decides whether to pay for a service; its duration and conditions vary. Read the related guide.
- Full HD
- Full HD commonly refers to video with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. A display and source both need to support the format to show it at that resolution. Read the related guide.
H
- H.264
- H.264 is a video-coding standard used to compress and decode digital video. Compatibility depends on the software and hardware handling the video.
- H.265
- H.265, also called High Efficiency Video Coding, is a video-coding standard designed to represent video efficiently. Device support varies.
- HD
- HD, or high definition, describes video formats with more image detail than standard-definition formats. Exact resolution depends on the format. Read the related guide.
I
- Internet Protocol (IP)
- Internet Protocol is the set of rules for addressing and routing data packets between devices across interconnected networks. Read the related guide.
- Internet service provider (ISP)
- An internet service provider is a company or organization that provides customers with access to the internet. Read the related guide.
- Internet speed
- Internet speed describes how quickly data can be transferred across a connection. Available speed can vary over time and between devices. Read the related guide.
- IPTV
- Internet Protocol television is multimedia, including television or video, delivered over IP-based networks. The ITU-T definition also describes managed network quality, security, interactivity, and reliability. ITU-T IPTV definition. Read the related guide.
- IPTV player app
- An IPTV player app is general-purpose software that can display compatible streams when supplied with valid service access details. Supported formats and features vary by app. Read the related guide.
- IPTV subscription
- An IPTV subscription is an agreement that provides access to an IPTV service for a stated period or under stated terms. Read the related guide.
J
- Jitter
- Jitter is variation in the delay between data packets arriving over a network. FCC network-performance metric definitions. Read the related guide.
L
- Latency
- Latency is the time data takes to travel from a source to a destination across a network. FCC network-performance metric definitions. Read the related guide.
- Live TV
- Live television is programming presented as it is being broadcast, rather than chosen from a stored library for later playback. Read the related guide.
- Local channel
- A local channel is a television station or service intended for viewers in a particular geographic area. Read the related guide.
- Login credentials
- Login credentials are information used to identify an account or authorize access, such as a username and password. Read the related guide.
M
- M3U
- M3U is a text-based multimedia playlist format used to list media entries or references. Extended M3U adds structured tags; RFC 8216 describes its use as the basis for HTTP Live Streaming playlists. RFC 8216 describes the M3U-derived playlist format used by HTTP Live Streaming. Read the related guide.
- M3U playlist
- An M3U playlist is a text file containing media entries or references that compatible software can read. The file lists content references; it is not itself the video stream. Read the related guide.
- Mbps
- Mbps means megabits per second, a unit used to describe a data transfer rate. A megabit and a megabyte are different units. Read the related guide.
- Mobile device
- A mobile device is a portable computing device, such as a phone or tablet, that can connect to a network and run compatible media software. Read the related guide.
- Money-back guarantee
- A money-back guarantee is a stated refund promise with conditions and a time limit. The published policy explains how it applies. Read the related guide.
P
- Packet loss
- Packet loss occurs when data packets sent across a network do not reach their destination. FCC network-performance metric definitions. Read the related guide.
- Pay-per-view (PPV)
- Pay-per-view is a way of selling access to a particular program or event separately from a regular subscription; terms vary by provider. Read the related guide.
- Playlist URL
- A playlist URL is a web address used to retrieve playlist data. Private access links should be treated like credentials and not shared publicly. Read the related guide.
R
- Reseller credit
- Reseller credit is a unit label used within some reseller panels; how it works varies by panel. Ask us on WhatsApp how credits work on each panel. Read the related guide.
- Reseller panel
- A reseller panel is a management interface used in a reseller program to view or manage that program’s accounts, products, or balances. Features vary by panel. Read the related guide.
- Resolution
- Video resolution is the number of pixels used to form each frame, commonly described by its width and height. Read the related guide.
- Router
- A router forwards data between networks and commonly connects devices in a home network to an internet connection. Read the related guide.
S
- Satellite TV
- Satellite television delivers programming through a satellite signal received by compatible equipment at a viewer’s location. Read the related guide.
- Set-top box
- A set-top box is a device placed near a television that receives and processes media signals for display on the TV. Read the related guide.
- Simultaneous streams
- Simultaneous streams are separate video streams played at the same time on one or more devices. The number permitted depends on service and plan terms. Read the related guide.
- Smart TV
- A Smart TV is a television with built-in network connectivity and software for compatible online services. Read the related guide.
- Stream
- A stream is a flow of media data delivered over a network for playback. Read the related guide.
- Streaming
- Streaming is the delivery of audio or video data over a network so playback can begin as data arrives. Read the related guide.
- Streaming device
- A streaming device is hardware that connects to a display and plays media delivered over a network. Read the related guide.
- Streaming service
- A streaming service delivers audio or video over a network for playback on compatible devices. Available content and terms vary.
- Streaming stick
- A streaming stick is a compact media device designed to connect directly to a television, commonly through an HDMI port. Read the related guide.
- Subscription term
- A subscription term is the length of time covered by a plan, such as one month or a longer stated period. Read the related guide.
T
- TV channel
- A TV channel is a distinct television service or stream presented as one viewing option in a lineup. Read the related guide.
- TV guide
- A TV guide is a schedule of programs organized by channel and time. An EPG is an electronic version displayed through a service or device. Read the related guide.
V
- Video codec
- A video codec is a method or software component for encoding and decoding digital video. Codecs differ in compression and compatibility.
- Video compression
- Video compression reduces the data needed to store or transmit video; a decoder reconstructs the picture for playback.
- Video on demand (VOD)
- Video on demand is stored video that a viewer selects to play at a chosen time rather than following a live broadcast schedule.
W
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi is a family of wireless networking technologies that lets compatible devices exchange data with a local network. Read the related guide.
- Wired connection
- A wired connection carries network data over a physical cable, such as an Ethernet cable, instead of a wireless link. Read the related guide.
X
- Xtream Codes
- Xtream Codes is a login format that uses a server address, username, and password, as opposed to an M3U link. Read the related guide.
For a hands-on overview, visit what IPTV means or compare an IPTV free trial.
