Sanity Check on IPTV

So I want to add IPTV to my entertainment menu. (If you have good provider or app recommendations, DM me). But I want to run it through VPN.

What I'm thinking of doing is getting an inexpensive, second android box to use to watch IPTV. Then set up a VPN tunnel on my router and send all traffic from that device through the VPN.

That ensures I won't disrupt any existing streaming services with VPN, and I won't have to remember to fire up the VPN before watching IPTV (more importantly, I'm sure my kid won't remember). Thoughts?

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I came up with a very convenient way to stream IPTV in my home. If you have a home server with docker, Dispatcharr alongside Gluetun is the way to go.
Dispatcharr allows you to proxy all your IPTV channels to a local URL, and if you attach its network to Gluetun, Dispatcharr will fetch the IPTV content through the VPN server of your choice, and return it to your local network via HTTP (giving you a local only M3U list). This M3U could be used anywhere in your home, and you don't even have to bother about VPNs per device.
- Dispatcharr
  Hmm, if it gives you a local M3U list, I bet it would run in Jellyfin too.
  
  You definitely could. I tried, and it works like a champ. The only downside I see to this approach is that JellyFin's UI for TV kinda sucks. It's unintuitive, and for Android TV barely usable. So I decided to use the local M3U file from Dispatcharr with Televizo app. It's available for Android TV (free through external APK), and the UI is far more polished.
- Does Diapatcharr work better in your opinion than Xteve? I've been looking for something to move to because it feels like Xteve is no longer being maintained.
  
  Ive been using it for a while now and yes its much better. Its more modern and more stable and expandable. Theres no quirks to work around you just configure it straightforwardly and the default settings just work. Its great. Also it lets you export as HDHR as well not just M3U.
  
  https://github.com/Threadfin/Threadfin If you need xteve alternative
  
  I've tried Threadfin and Dispatcharr. For me, the only one that worked properly was Dispatcharr.
Why do you want to run IPTV through vpn? What country are you in?
- The US.
  
  ISPs don’t usually care about iptv streaming, it’s uploading that gets you in trouble. Unfortunately I don’t have much advice for providers as most are garbage unfortunately.
  
  The only thing you need a VPN for is possibly torrents, even then private trackers exist for a reason. They ain't coming after you for IPTV unless you're selling boxes to people.
I'm not sure if the original link is meant for public consumption but here's a mirror to an archive of the good stuff that was on r/iptvgroupbuy before it was removed.
That should help you avoid the pitfalls of iptv and save you some money.
Edit: updated link
- ~~Getting the message, "It seems that the key in your URL is incorrect. Please, verify your URL."~~ Got it now.
jinopro.net 1$ in month :)
I don’t think a vpn is worth the hassle for IPTV.

17 comments