What is m3u file?

Now you have a general idea about IPTV and what it is all about. While having this in your mind, let’s take an idea about what is referred by m3u. When you buy IPTV subscription and try to access it to watch content on computer or through any other device, a file or URL with a .m3u extension would be utilized to get the audio and video files. Most of the audio and video players are using m3u files and m3u URLs in order to locate the channels, playback them and locate the programs.

m3u is the abbreviation given for MP3 URL. You already know what mp3 files are. While keeping that in mind, you will be able to take a look at the m3u IPTV file. In here, you will be using the full form of m3u. Therefore, you will be able to get the audio layer incorporated with moving pictures. This is accessed via a URL. You should keep in mind that a m3u URL is different when compared to an ordinary audio file. That’s because the index entries of it refer to the corresponding video and audio files.

IPTV m3u file will be made out of a plain text file. This text file is containing the .m3u URL. You will also be able to discover a Unicode version of the M3U files. This is known s M3U8 files which is another version of the m3u extension. It is providing a great assistance with the HTP live streaming. In fact, the m3u8 files are associated with UTF-8 encoding.

Getting m3u links for a trusted IPTV provider

You will need to take care whenever you access m3u files and use them. If you don’t be careful with them, you might have to experience some vulnerabilities. Therefore, you should get the m3u files from a reputed IPTV Reseller. Then you will have to take care while using your m3u link. This will help you to play safe with the m3u files and make sure that you don’t have to deal with any struggles in the long run.

How to build or open m3u playlists?

If you want to use m3u files to stream IPTV content, you will need to think about building an m3u playlist. You will be able to use numerous media players for opening m3u files. VLC media player is a perfect example for an app that can help you with opening the M3U files. We will share a complete list of applications that you can use to open M3U files later in this article.

Creating m3u file by yourself is another feature provided to you by the audio players and multimedia players. For example, you will be able to see an option in the audio player or multimedia player that you use as create playlist.  By using this feature, you will be able to create a playlist of your favorite songs, movies, or TV shows. The playlists you create like this will usually be collected into a single M3U playlist file. You can use any text editor software to open m3u files.

Creating m3u files using NotePad

You can use Notepad application available on your computer to create a m3u file. At the time of saving the file, you will need to make sure that you are saving it with .m3u file extension. Then you will be able to save it as a m3u playlist and open with any compatible player.

M3u links proper syntax

However, you should also pay attention towards proper syntax at the time of creating a m3u file. If you don’t be mindful about proper syntax, you will not be able to create an m3u file according to the needs you have.

Likewise, you need to make sure that the channel descriptions are associated with two lines as well. The very first line would have the channel in playlist. On the contrary, the 2nd line would contain the direct address of the channel. This should be the IPTV server IP address. Then you should include the username and password of the user who is accessing the channel.

The application you are using to open the m3u links is capable of reading both lines that you have included. Based on that, a request will be sent into the server. Server that receives this request will send a response. These requests and responses are encrypted. When the image and audio packet is received to your device based on the server request, you will be able to get the intended channel displayed on your device. That’s how IPTV works with a m3u file. However, you might not be able to build your own working m3u playlist. That’s because you are not aware about the server IP addresses. That’s why you should think about getting an m3u playlist from a reputed IPTV service provider. Then you will be able to get the content you want to enjoy on the device.

Can you convert m3u file?

As illustrated in the previous part, any m3u file is nothing but a text file. Therefore, you will have the freedom to go ahead and convert a m3u file based on your preferences. However, it is crucial to note that converting a m3u file will impact its functionality. You should keep this fact in mind and proceed with making any changes to the m3u files that you have.

You will be able to convert a m3u file into some of the most popular media file formats, such as AVI, M4A, MP3 and MP4. Out of the different methods available to convert a m3u file, using VLC Media Player holds a prominent place. You can open the m3u playlist file with your VLC Media Player and then access menu. In that menu, you will be able to see an option called Save Playlist to File. You should click on this and then pick a format where you want to save based on your preferences.

At some of the instances, you will get the need to convert a m3u file into a .txt file as well. To do this conversion, you will not have to use any tools. That’s because you can simply change the file extension by yourself and without using any tools. You will also be able to find numerous M3UExportTools available out there. You can use these tools in order to convert the files.

If you are a technical person, you will be able to use the command line and convert m3u files as well. Or else, you can think about getting the assistance of curl to download the m3u container files.

How can you create a m3u playlist VLC Media Player?

If you are using VLC Media Player, you will be able to create a m3u playlist without going through any struggles. In fact, it is the most popular app among people out there in the world to open m3u files. Here are the steps that you should follow to open the m3u files you have with VLC Media Player.

1. You should initially launch VLC Media Player. In case if you don’t have VLC Media, Player installed on your computer, you should do it. You will be able do download VLC Media Player from the internet and install on your computer for free.
2. After installing the VLC Media Player, you will need to go to the toolbar. Then you can select the option called Playlist.
3. Now can now right click on the playlist window. Then you can add files. After clicking on that, you will need to import the audio files.
4. You can now select the Media tab on your upper right hand corner. Then you can click on the option called Save Playlist to File. You will be able to select any path where you need to save the m3u playlist. You can save it under any name.

When you follow this approach, you will not have to worry about the syntax issues that can take place. That’s because VLC Media Player will be able to take care of everything. You just need to stick to the steps and create your m3u playlist file.

VLC Media Player is one of the most versatile media players available out there. For example, it is compatible with Android, macOS and Linux. Therefore, you will be able to open the m3u playlist you created with any platform.

Creating a m3u playlist for IPTV

If you have the IPTV links, you will be able to create m3u playlist as well. There are numerous resources, which you can use and find the pre-defined m3u playlists. They will provide you with information with related to the shows, TV channels and other information.

In case you are familiar with GitHub, you can hunt for the IPTV playlists. You will be able to get these playlists for free. However, you cannot use them for a longer time. That’s because the playlists would expire after some time. At the time of accessing the IPTV playlists, they can already be expired. Therefore, this method is recommended only for the tech enthusiasts, who prefer to get their hands on the process of creating a m3u URL for watching IPTV.

In order to stream the IPTV channels with your IPTV m3u URL, you will need to use an appropriate media player. You need to make sure that the player you use is fully supporting the specific m3u file type that you are using. If that support is not available, you will have to go through numerous struggles. Hence, make sure that you don’t have to go through any such struggles.

The apps available to use and open m3u files would vary depending on your platform. Hence, you will need to keep the platform you use in mind and take a look at Google Store, Apple Store, or any other compatible marketplace to locate the appropriate apps.

Once you download a compatible app, you will be able to add the URL. Then you will be able to get your IPTV Playlist configured in the app. Along with that, you will also have the opportunity to watch and enjoy the favorite TV shows without going through any struggles.

Using the m3u file on Firestick

Amazon Firestick devices are quite popular among people who enjoy IPTV. You can load the m3u file on your Firestick as well. However, you will need to use an app to open the working m3u playlist on your Firestick as well. Perfect Player is the app that you should be using on Firestick. Here are the steps that you need to follow.

1. You should first visit the Menu of your Firestick. Then you can access Settings and click on My Fire TV.
2. Now you can click on the Developer Options section. In here, you should enable the option called “open apps from unknown sources”.
3. You will need to go back to the Firestick menu. This is where you can look for an app named Downloader. Once you locate the app, you can download and install it.
4. When you open Downloader, you will need to use the Perfect Player app APK to download it. You can easily find the APK for Perfect Player on the internet.
5. Downloader will prompt you to add the APK file URL. When you get that prompt, you just need to add the URL to get the job done.

By following these steps, you are completing half of the work that you have to do. In other words, you will be installing Perfect Player app on the Firestick. Then you will need to import your m3u playlist URL into Perfect Player.

You should go to Settings in Perfect Player. Then you can select General and pick the option called Playlist. You can now see an option, where you will be able to insert the URL that is offered to you by the IPTV service provider. Simply enter it and you can see how Perfect Player is loading the playlist. Finally, you can pick any channel you want.