In this article, we are going to explain the systems which IPTV providers use to stream IPTV channels.
There is 2 common systems:
- M3U URL based devices
- Portal system devices
For the portal system, you need to give your box MAC address to the IPTV provider and they will give you a portal address after adding MAC address in their database.
In M3U url system, the IPTV provider sends you a URL to setup IPTV and no need to add any MAC address in their system.

The portal base devices like old MAG boxes or TVIP boxes are not the best devices to watch IPTV. The portal system will disappear from market soon because it’s NOT secure and efficient.
If we want to list some old model of these devices we can mention MAG 250, MAG 254, MAG 256 , TVIP 410 and etc.
Even in the new model of MAG boxes, there is problem with portal system too. The IPTV providers do not support MAG 420 or MAG 520 with portal system because of different Stalker Middleware.
Migrate to M3U url devices and applications
So what we can do?
The answer for this question is M3U base devices.

We will explain 3 easy solutions to replace portal base boxes:
Setup IPTV on Smart TV
If you have a Smart TV in any brand Samsung, LG, Sony and etc, replace your portal base box with it to watch IPTV.
You can simply set up your IPTV on Smart TV with the below applications:
IPTV Smarters app
Smart IPTV app
Smart STB app
SS IPTV app
Buy an Android box
If you don’t have a Smart TV or you own an old Smart TV but still desire to watch IPTV programs on TV, we recommend you to buy an Android box which are not too expensive and use modern M3U list technology.
They are many different models of Android boxes but if you want a brand name from us, we can offer you “MI box 4k”.
MI box specifications
You can make a simple search on google where you can buy it in your country.
There is also another model of boxes in the name of the Formuler box.
Formuler boxes support both M3U URL and Portal system, so it can be a good replacement.
Formuler box website
Load M3U url on Computer or Smartphone
If you do not insist to watch IPTV on your TV. You can simply load your m3u url on your Computer or Smartphone, here are some tutorials for setup IPTV on them:
IPTV Smarters on windows
VLC on computer
IPTV Smarters on phone
GSE Smart IPTV on phone
Conclusion
The M3U URL system is more secure and stable. Also, there are many different applications available for this system with useful features.
So if you intend to buy a new device to watch IPTV or want to change your old IPTV box, we surely recommend you to use M3U based devices.
We will be happy to hear your experiences about M3U and Portal base devices in the comments.