streamflow/docs/README.txt

1. Multi-Device Compatibility
Modern viewers want flexibility over devices. An IPTV player in 2025 must support all major platforms and operating systems, including Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung/LG Smart TVs, and web browsers.
This cross-platform compatibility ensures users can enjoy content seamlessly, regardless of their device. Cloud syncing across devices is also becoming a must-have, allowing users to switch screens without losing their place in a live broadcast or movie.
IPTV Player offers universal account login, where one subscription can be used across multiple devices with synchronized history and favourites.
2. Advanced User Interface (UI) and Experience (UX)
The interface is what makes or breaks the experience. In 2025, a sleek, responsive, and customisable UI is no longer a luxury, t’s a necessity.
A great IPTV player should provide:
    • Dynamic layout options (grid, list, )
    • Personalized recommendations powered by AI
    • Dark and light themes for better accessibility
    • Intuitive navigation with minimal clicks to content

3. High-Performance Streaming
As internet speeds improve and 5G becomes mainstream, users expect high-quality streaming without buffering. In 2025, IPTV players must support:
    • Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) for smoother performance
    • H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 codec support for efficient compression
Buffer-free, high-quality streams directly influence user satisfaction and app ratings. Lag and pixelation are deal-breakers; performance optimisation is key.

4. EPG (Electronic Program Guide) Integration
The EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is the backbone of a great live experience. It allows users to browse upcoming programs, view schedules, and set reminders or recordings.
In 2025, the best IPTV players integrate real-time EPG updates and dynamic channel categorisation (e.g., sports, movies, news, kids) for effortless navigation.
multi-day EPG view, program search, and catch-up TV, letting users rewatch missed shows directly from the player.
5. Multi-Screen and Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Support
Why settle for one streaming option when you can have multiple?
Modern IPTV users love multi-screen support , the ability to watch two or more channels simultaneously. Picture-in-Picture (PiP) takes this further by allowing viewers to minimise one stream while browsing others or using another app.
This feature is especially popular among sports fans and multi-view households who want flexibility and control.
6. Built-in Parental Controls and Profile Management
With IPTV becoming a family experience, multi-profile support is essential. A top-tier IPTV player allows each user in a household to have their own profile with:
    • Personalized recommendations
    • Watch history
    • Favorite channels
    • Age-restricted content filters
Parental controls let parents restrict access to mature content and manage what kids can watch. In 2025, privacy and content safety are just as important as entertainment.
7. Catch-Up TV and Cloud DVR
Not everyone can watch live broadcasts in real time. That’s where Catch-Up TV and Cloud DVR features shine.
A premium IPTV player should allow users to:
    • Rewind or replay live content
    • Schedule recordings to the cloud
    • Access recorded programs anytime
This feature improves convenience and makes IPTV feel like an on-demand platform rather than just a live streaming service
8. Advanced Security & Encryption
Security is a growing concern in digital streaming. IPTV players must implement robust encryption protocols, token-based authentication, and secure login mechanisms to protect user data and prevent unauthorised access.
Features like integration  VPN compatibility add an extra layer of safety for users and providers alike.
9. Multi-Language Support and Subtitles
Global audiences expect localised experiences. The best IPTV players in 2025 come with:
    • Multi-language menus and EPG data
    • Subtitle customization (font, size, color)
    • Audio track switching for multilingual content
This inclusivity expands the app’s reach across regions and enhances the overall user experience.
10. Smart Recommendations with AI Integration
Artificial intelligence is transforming content discovery. Modern IPTV players should use AI to:
    • Suggest content based on viewing habits
    • Predict user interests
    • Filter channels or categories based on frequency
AI-driven recommendations help users spend less time searching and more time watching, increasing engagement and retention.
11. Offline Viewing (Download & Watch Later)
Offline mode is becoming a key difference between other players and the best media players. Many IPTV users now prefer apps that allow downloading VOD content for offline viewing.
Whether it’s during travel or in low-connectivity areas, this feature ensures seamless entertainment anywhere, anytime, without interruption.
12. Cloud-Based Settings Backup
A small but powerful feature, cloud syncing of preferences and playlists, ensures that even if a user switches devices or reinstalls the app, all their settings, favourites, and watch history remain intact.
It’s all about continuity and convenience.
13. Integration with External Players and Casting Options
An IPTV player that supports casting to Chromecast, Fire Stick, or smart TVs adds significant flexibility to the users with advanced devices.
Some users also prefer to open streams with external players like VLC or MX Player. Offering such integrations makes the app more versatile and user-friendly


15. Add radio playing support , user can add m3u, url and any other forms available to play radio channels. Pull official channel logo and currently playing song. Add record option and if a channels fails to pull logo add our app logo as default.

Add option to delete added channels playlist in bulk. Add option to import from volume uploaded m3u files. Uploaded m3u files to be stored until user deletes them, allow user to name, or rename uploaded m3u files.

User can play in PiP multiple channels.

Add VPN manage countries from settings page 

✨ Proxy Streaming Engine — Optimize bandwidth, reduce provider connections, and increase stream reliability
📊 Real-Time Stats Dashboard — Live insights into stream health and client activity
🧠 EPG Auto-Match — Match program data to channels automatically. Reliable EPG Integration — Match and manage TV guide data with ease
⚙️ Streamlink + FFmpeg Support — Flexible backend options for streaming and recording
🎬 VOD Management — Full Video on Demand support with movies and TV series. VOD Content Management — Organize movies and TV series with metadata and streaming
🛁 Output Compatibility — HDHomeRun, M3U, and XMLTV EPG support for Plex, Jellyfin, and more
Full IPTV Control — Import, organize, proxy, and monitor IPTV streams on your own terms

1. Advanced EPG Integration
    • Smart EPG Guide: Enhanced EPG viewer with 7/10/14-day grid, program search, favorites, and automatic channel matching across multiple playlists.
    • EPG Auto-Sync: Background job that fetches and updates EPG from multiple sources, maps channels intelligently, and alerts users of upcoming favorites.
When user presses any button that redirects away from video player  keep Chanel playing in the background.
2. Enhanced Recording System
    • Scheduled Recordings: UI for planning recordings by channel, date/time, and duration, with automatic storage in the recordings folder.
    • Recording Library: Media manager for saved recordings with thumbnails, metadata, and playback history to resume interrupted streams.
    • Series Recording: Set rules for automatic recording of favorite shows when EPG detects episodes, with conflict detection and storage limits.
Make the recording button smaller exactly as seen in attached photo here, keep the button function. And Radio recordings are not working at all, pop up modal is not called when user presses record button for the current playing channel.  

When  user adds a playlist entry add option too add url m3u with the user name and password for the m3u url
3. Social & Multi-User Features
    • User Profiles: Multi-user support with individual channel favorites, watch history, and separate recording quotas per user.
    • Auto fetch and force fetch official channels logo, store channels logo for feature use, update channels logo if change is detected , see how we implemented this in dispatcharr
4. Playback Enhancements
    • Picture-in-Picture: Let users continue watching in a floating window while navigating playlists or settings.
    • Channel Groups: Organize channels into custom groups (Sports, News, Movies) and save as user-specific views.
    • Adaptive Quality: Auto-detect bandwidth and switch between stream qualities, plus manual quality selection with buffer indicators.
5. Smart Analytics & Recommendations
    • Watch History: Track user viewing patterns and suggest playlists/channels based on preferences (stored in the database).
    • Channel Health Monitor: Background service that tests stream URLs periodically and flags dead links in the UI.
    • Usage Stats: Dashboard showing most-watched channels, peak usage times, and resource consumption for self-hosted admins.
6. Admin & Security Features
    • Role-Based Access: Admin users vs regular users, with admins able to manage playlists, users, and view system stats.
    • API Tokens: Generate API keys for advanced integrations (e.g., mobile apps, external players) with usage limits.
    • Backup/Restore: UI for backing up playlists, user data, and settings to internal or external storage with one-click restore.
7. Mobile & Responsive Improvements
    • PWA Support: Add manifest.json and service worker for offline playlist management and installable web app.
    • Touch Gestures: Swipe to change channels, pinch for zoom on EPG, and touch-friendly controls for mobile browsers.
    • Adaptive Layout: Better tablet/mobile layouts that hide/show UI elements based on screen size for better touch interaction.
    • Make sure PiP works on mobile devices too.
8. Advanced Playlist Management
    • Playlist Groups: Nest playlists under categories (Live TV, VOD, Sports) for better organization.
    • Channel Search: Full-text search across all playlists with filters for categories, languages, or EPG genres.
    • Auto-Tagging: Machine learning to tag channels (sports/news/movies) based on name/content for better organization.

9. Admin Only Integration Ecosystem
    • External Player Support: API endpoints for external players (Kodi, VLC, Plex, Jellyfin,etc) to use your backend for playlist management and content playing.
    • Import/Export Tools: Built-in converters for other playlist formats and bulk import from popular IPTV sources.
10. Power User Features
    • API Rate Limiting: Built-in protection against abuse while allowing legitimate API usage.
Add volume slider to the player
How can we get around playing  channels that are Geo-blocked without using vpn? 
Add multiple m3u files that will add channels to the existing list

Right click or long press on a channel adds (copy) the channel to GROUPS tab, list all group options so user can choose where to duplicate the channel.