There are many sites advertising IPTV services for a price. There are however ways to watch streaming channels for free, though it may involve a bit of searching for working links and installing some free software on your computer (VLC Player) or purchasing an Android TV box.
Of course, a TV app such as Smart IPTV or dedicated TV box connected to your TV is going to be a far better option than always having to use your computer.
There are many devices available on the market, though an Android TV box is probably the best option for watching IPTV for free, there are many free TV apps available and Kodi. Those wanting to use Apple should note that not all apps will allow you to use Airplay through an Apple TV.
There is also an app called Smart IPTV available on LG and Samsung Smart TVs, it is not free and all streams will have to be added by the viewer.
Another app Simple Smart IPTV is also available on LG TVs.
IPTV Explained
Instead of receiving TV programmes as broadcast signals that enter your home from a rooftop aerial, satellite dish, or fibre-optic cable, you receive them streamed through your Internet connection.
For a broadcaster, IPTV is somewhat more complex, requiring a sophisticated storage system for all the videos content to be made available for viewers along with a web-style interface or player that allows viewers to select the programmes they want to watch. Once a viewer has selected a programme, it needs to be encoded in a suitable format for streaming, embed advertisements (especially if the programmes are free such as on ITV Hub, All5 and My5 in the UK), and stream it across the Internet to many viewers simultaneously.
IPTV comes in three different forms. The first is called video on demand (VOD), services such as Netflix, HBO, Apple TV and Bribox. The second is services such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4 and My5, these offer a catchup service to view programmes that have already been broadcast on traditional linear TV. Both the BBC and ITV also offer live streams of their channels, these are however geo-blocked and restricted to the UK only as is all VOD content.
The third type of IPTV involves broadcasting live TV stations across the Internet as they’re being broadcast, live IPTV or IP simulcasting. All three forms of IPTV can be viewed using your computer a web browser, a set-top box or a Smart TV. All three services can be delivered over the Internet, a fast fibre-optic broadband connection should be used for the best possible viewing experience.
Interactive TV
Traditional TV broadcasting is the one-way delivery of information to viewers, combining television and video pictures with the Internet opens up the possibility of a much more interactive experience for the viewer in both directions. You can already rate programmes and fils on some VOD services.
IPTV
Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is the delivery of television content over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. This is in contrast to delivery through traditional terrestrial, satellite, and cable television formats. Unlike downloaded media, IPTV offers the ability to stream the source media continuously. As a result, a client media player can begin playing the content (such as a TV channel) almost immediately. This is known as streaming media.
Although IPTV uses the Internet protocol it is not limited to television streamed from the Internet (Internet television). IPTV is widely deployed in subscriber-based telecommunications networks with high-speed access channels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or other customer-premises equipment. IPTV is also used for media delivery around corporate and private networks. IPTV in the telecommunications arena is notable for its ongoing standardisation process (e.g., European Telecommunications Standards Institute).
IPTV services may be classified into live television and live media, with or without related interactivity; time-shifting of media, e.g., catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago), start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning); and video on demand (VOD) which involves browsing and viewing items of a media catalogue.
