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M3U vs Xtream Codes: what's the difference?

Both get your channels onto your TV, but they work differently — and one usually gives you a richer experience. Here's a plain-English comparison.

When you sign up with an IPTV provider, they'll typically give you access in one of two formats: an M3U playlist or an Xtream Codes login. BeePlayer supports both, so you can use whichever your provider offers — but it helps to understand the difference.

What is an M3U playlist?

An M3U (or M3U8) is essentially a single list of channels and streams, delivered as a file or a URL that looks something like http://yourprovider.com/get.php?.... Your player loads that list and shows the channels. It's universal and simple — almost every IPTV service and player supports M3U.

What is Xtream Codes?

Xtream Codes isn't a file — it's a login to your provider's system, made up of a server URL, a username and a password. Instead of one flat list, the player talks to the provider's API and can pull through organised categories: live TV, films (VOD), and series with seasons and episodes, often with posters and a programme guide.

The key differences

Organisation: Xtream usually separates live TV, movies and series into tidy categories. A plain M3U is often one long list.
Films & series: Xtream tends to expose video-on-demand and series structure more cleanly.
Guide (EPG): both can support a TV guide, but Xtream often bundles it automatically; with M3U you may add a separate XMLTV/EPG URL.
Simplicity: M3U is a single URL — quick to paste and universally supported.

Rule of thumb: if your provider gives you an Xtream Codes login, use it — you'll usually get a richer, better-organised experience. If you only have an M3U URL, that's perfectly fine too.

How BeePlayer handles both

In The Hive Dashboard you simply choose M3U or Xtream when adding a playlist. Either way, BeePlayer organises your channels, films and series with posters and ratings, and keeps everything in sync across every TV on your account. Your credentials are stored encrypted.

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