How to Record IPTV on Plex in 2024: Easy Setup and Troubleshooting

The following is a brief introduction to the topic:

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is changing the way we view TV. It allows us to access a wide range of content, both live and on demand, via the Internet. Plex is a powerful server that allows users to manage, organize and stream their media library. Did you know you could also capture IPTV using Plex?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through recording IPTV with Plex. We’ll cover everything, from how to set up IPTV channels, to third-party tools. In addition to common questions, we’ll cover legal issues and benefits to ensure you get the most out of Plex IPTV recording.

What is IPTV and How Does It Work?

IPTV Definition

IPTV is Internet Protocol Television. It’s a digital television broadcasting protocol which delivers TV content via the Internet instead of traditional formats such as terrestrial, cable, or satellite. IPTV, unlike traditional broadcasting methods, allows the user to watch content live, and pause, replay, or record it at any time.

IPTV: How it Works

IPTV works by sending media content over a regular internet connection. Data packets are created from the TV signal and then sent to the device of the user via the internet. IPTV is available in three different types:

Watch live television. – Live TV is broadcasting as it happens.
Time Shifted Media– Catching Up on previously broadcasted TV Shows.
Videos on Demand (VoD).– A library of TV and movies that you can watch at any time.

IPTV Devices and Apps: Common devices used for IPTV

IPTV is available on many devices including:

Smart Televisions
Devices for streaming such as Roku, Amazon Fire Stick and Chromecast
Laptops, desktop PCs.
Tablets , smartphones .

TiviMate is one of the most popular IPTV apps. Other options include Plex, which allows you to record IPTV channels.

What is Plex and How Does It Support IPTV?

Plex Media Server Overview

Plex, a powerful server for media content management and organization, allows users to organize and manage all of their digital contents from TV shows to movies to music. This is especially useful for cord cutters who wish to consolidate their media files, streams and other content in one location. Plex Media Server can be installed on PCs, cloud servers, and NAS drives. It streams content to mobile devices and smart TVs.

Plex: Add IPTV channels

Plex doesn’t natively support IPTV but you can add IPTV Channels using an M3U Playlist. A M3U Playlist is just a text file that lists IPTV streams for live TV. How to add IPTV on Plex

Your IPTV service provider will provide you with an IPTV playlist in M3U format.
Use Xteve or the IPTV Plex plugin.
You can stream IPTV by adding the M3U Playlist to Plex.

Can You Record IPTV on Plex?

Is Plex natively compatible with IPTV recording?

Plex has a (Digital Video Recorder) that lets users record TV broadcasts from IPTV or over-the air channels. Plex doesn’t support IPTV recording by default. To enable recording, you’ll have to install additional software.

Plex Third-Party Tools for Recording IPTV

You’ll require third-party software to record IPTV using Plex. These tools act as intermediaries, between your IPTV provider and Plex DVR. There are two popular choices:

Xteve is a third-party app that lets users add IPTV and live streaming to Plex.
Telly is another option to integrate IPTV streams into Plex and support DVR functionality.

The two tools create a seamless bridge between Plex and your IPTV provider, which allows you to record IPTV live channels.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Record IPTV on Plex

Plex Requirements to Record IPTV

You’ll also need:

Install and run Plex media server.
A M3U Playlist with an active subscription.
Use a third-party program like Telly , Xteve .
A sufficient space to store recorded content on external or internal drives.
You will need a reliable Internet connection in order to record and stream live IPTV channels.

Setup DVR on Plex

Plex DVR allows you schedule recordings of live television. How to set it up:

Navigate to DVR & Live TV under Settings.
Connect a tuner that can stream IPTV channels (like Xteve).
Use the M3U Playlist to search for IPTV channels.
You can schedule recordings of the shows and channels that you wish to record.
Plex allows you to save and playback your IPTV recordings.

Recording IPTV using Xteve

The Xteve tool is one of Plex’s most popular tools to record IPTV. To set up Xteve on Plex, follow these simple steps:

Install Xteve onto the device that your Plex Server is currently running.
Add IPTV M3U to Xteve.
Set Xteve up to be a tuner for Plex’s DVR & Live TV Settings.
Plex DVR allows you to schedule recordings.
Plex allows you to watch IPTV recordings.

Telly: Record IPTV with Telly

Telly is a similar option to Xteve for recording IPTV. The steps include:

Link your Plex Media Server to Telly by installing .
Telly allows you to import your M3U music playlist.
Telly can be added as a DVR tuner to Plex.
Plex allows you to record live IPTV channels.

Benefits of Recording IPTV on Plex

You can watch IPTV content at your own schedule

Plex allows you to record IPTV and watch it at any time. Recorded IPTV lets you pause, rewind or watch at a later time without ever missing anything.

Organise IPTV content that has been recorded

Plex’s media library allows you to easily organize and categorize IPTV recordings. Create folders to organize specific shows. You can also categorize them by genre and add metadata for improved searchability.

Backing up and storing IPTV recordings

Plex offers the option to save recordings onto external hard drives and cloud storage. You can free up local storage space while still ensuring that your recordings are accessible anywhere.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting IPTV Recording on Plex

Recording errors and failures

IPTV recordings can fail because of network issues or problems with compatibility between Plex IPTV and IPTV. Update your Plex Software, check your Internet connection and confirm that your M3U Playlist is valid.

Audio/Video Sync Issues

You may notice audio or video out-of-sync when recording IPTV streams. This could be due to buffering issues, or problems with encoding. Try re-encoding the recording, or use a third-party program like Telly and Xteve.

The recording is incomplete or missing channels

Check that the M3U Playlist is current and you selected the correct channels when setting up.

Alternatives to Recording IPTV on Plex

Emby IPTV recording is easy with Emby

Emby has a similar media server to Plex but offers better IPTV native support. Emby is a media server that can record IPTV without the need for third-party software, which makes it an excellent alternative for those looking for a simple setup.

Record IPTV using Dedicated IPTV Apps

Recording features are built into IPTV applications like TiviMate and IPTV Smarters. They allow you to easily record IPTV, without having to install a server such as Plex.

Legal Considerations When Recording IPTV

Can I record IPTV legally?

Depending on where you live and your IPTV provider, recording IPTV is subject to different laws. Copyright restrictions may prevent recording on some IPTV services. Check the terms and condition of your IPTV service provider before recording any content.

Copyright laws should be respected

While recording IPTV, make sure you do not violate any copyright laws. You can be in legal trouble if you use pirated IPTV streams.

Conclusion

Recording live IPTV content on Plex is a great way to enjoy and manage your favorite TV shows. By using third-party software like Xteve and Telly you can integrate IPTV seamlessly into Plex. This allows you to watch recorded content at any time. Ensure you are always on the legal side and that your IPTV provider’s terms of service are respected.

FAQs

Does Plex natively support IPTV recordings? Unfortunately, no. To record IPTV, you’ll need Xteve and Telly.
What is the storage requirement for Plex recordings? Storage requirements are determined by recording quality and duration. One hour of IPTV HD can take 2 to 3 GB.
Does it make sense to record IPTV content? This depends on the IPTV service provider you use and your local laws. Check the service terms and follow copyright laws.