The protocols at a glance
| Protocol or format | How it delivers video | Where you meet it |
|---|---|---|
| HLS | Short segments listed in an M3U8 playlist, over ordinary web connections | Most apps and many IPTV channels; also the standard for Apple devices |
| MPEG-TS over HTTP | One continuous transport stream per channel | Very common for IPTV live channels (.ts links) |
| MPEG-DASH | Segments listed in an XML manifest, similar in idea to HLS | Big streaming services; less common for IPTV playlists |
| RTMP | A persistent connection built for low-latency Flash video | Mostly for sending video to platforms, not watching |
| RTSP | A control protocol for starting and stopping streams | Security cameras and some older IPTV systems |
| UDP and RTP multicast | Streams sent once over a managed network to many receivers | Broadband providers’ own TV services, hotels, campuses |
| SRT | Reliable, low-latency transport over unpredictable networks | Broadcasters sending live feeds between locations |
What matters for viewers
For watching IPTV in an app, the practical choice is almost always between HLS and MPEG-TS, often offered as a stream-format setting. They behave differently when your connection wobbles and when you change channel. HLS vs MPEG-TS explains which to choose, and HLS streaming explained shows how HLS works under the hood.
The same stream format also appears in playlist links as output=ts or output=m3u8. See what’s in an M3U URL.