How To Use An M3U Playlist

Before you start

• Your M3U URL — a single long web address
• Any player that accepts a playlist URL
• A note that M3U carries channels but often no programme guide

6 Steps To A Working Channel List

1. Understand what you have

   The M3U URL is one long address containing your username and password as parameters. Treat it as a credential: anyone with that URL has your subscription.

2. Test it in VLC first

   On a computer, open VLC, choose Media then Open Network Stream, paste the URL and press Play. If the channel list loads, your credentials are valid and any later problem is device-specific rather than account-specific.

3. Add it to your player

   In IPTV Smarters choose Load Your Playlist or File/URL. In Smart IPTV upload it through the MAC portal. In TiViMate choose Add Playlist then M3U. The field is always labelled URL or Playlist URL.

4. Wait for the list to parse

   A large playlist takes thirty seconds to two minutes to download and index. Slower devices take longer. Do not close the app while it parses.

5. Add an EPG source if the guide is empty

   M3U carries channels; the programme guide is usually a separate XMLTV URL. If your player has an EPG URL field and the guide is blank, that field is what needs filling.

6. Refresh when channels change

   Playlists are downloaded, not live. When we add channels, reload the playlist in your app to pick them up rather than waiting for it to happen on its own.