The M3U list is a text file format which contains information regarding the channel list such as the name of the channels, the URL of the channel source and channel reference number divided to different groups of countries for the ease of access. M3U is the most used format for all IPTV devices.
How to Use an M3U
The VLC media player is by far the best choice for streaming IPTV channels. The VLC is a free media player which supports a large variety of audio and video contents. Additionally, it supports other formats such as M3U8, PLS, XSPF, CON, and many more. M3U is the most used IPTV script among all IPTV users and it can be used on Smart TV, Smartphones, Android setup boxes, STB emulators, Roku and so forth.
What softwares do you need for watching IPTV?
How to edit an M3U file and create a favorites list
The M3U files can be edited with any text editor such as notepad because the files are text-based. You can simply open the downloaded M3U file with a notepad and delete the unwanted channels from the list and save the file on your computer. Then you can use this customized M3U file with your IPTV applications.
Why the channels are not categorized
The reason is that you are using a simple M3U URL or file. In order to have channels in groups and categorized, you must use M3U with options as your IPTV script. What are IPTV scripts or video formats?
The progressive IPTV providers give you a dashboard which you can download your M3U url, generate M3U with options url and reload your list to have channels categorized.
If you don’t have access to any dashboard system ask your IPTV provider (GENIPTV) for M3U with options url.
How Do Media Players Open an M3U File?
The process is simple. Just like how multimedia players can create playlists for your favorite type of content, these playlists are then compiled into one single M3U file by your media player. These M3U files can also be accessed using a text editor because the information compiled in the file is text-based.
Usually, each channel description has two lines: the first line contains the channel name, and the second line contains the direct channel address on the IPTV server. Moreover, it may contain a username and password for identification purposes and channel authentication.
Your media player will then read both lines corresponding to each channel, and separate channel names will display on the channel list. After which, requests are sent to the initial server, and the player will then send encrypted requests to the server. The server will convert the received packets to images on your device, and the desired channel will then begin playing.