IPTV Subscription is a technology that provides live TV, video on demand, and online content to your home. Many people may appear when using IPTV, there may be some channels that cannot be watched or get stuck or the picture doesn’t sync with the sound.

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We fully understand the frustration of being stuck or unable to watch when watching large matches!
To solve this disconnection phenomenon is actually very simple, through changing the decoding method can be improved.
In this in-deep guide to how to set up IPTV decoding, you will learn:
If you’re ready to fix the buffering and locking of watching live sports, this guide is for you.
What is an IPTV decoder?
Video decoders are essential components of IPTV networks, IPTV streams need to be decoded in order to be properly presented on your home screen. There are two main types of Video Decoders: Hardware Decoder and Software Decoder.
In theory, HW decoding is better and faster than SW decoding, but that’s only if you have a good enough GPU to perform the task.
My rule of thumb is to try them all and see which one gives you the better picture without buffering.
How to set up a decoder on your device
How to change the decoder mode on IPTV Smarter Pro?
If you are using IPTV Smarters Pro on Android, Firestick, etc., you can change the decoder in the following ways
-1 Open the IPTV Smarters Pro App on your device, Click Settings

-2 Click Stream Format

-3 HLS.m3u8

-4 Player selection -MX player
-5 Player settings -hardware decoder
How to change the decoder mode on AirTV APK?
AirTV IPTV currently has five decoding modes available, including software decoder, hardware decoder, vlc hw decoder, sync decoder, and exoplayer decoder.
When the picture and sound are out of sync, Just switch decoding mode to sync decoder.
Settings – Misc. – Decoding mode – sync decoder
If most channels work fine, but there is a channel frozen or buffered, or no sound. The problem would be in the device’s decoding ability.
Please go to AirTV IPTV APK Settings – MISC to try: hardware/software decoding and it will solve this problem.

How to use IPTV on Decoder?
Using IPTV on a decoder involves the following steps:
- Connect your decoder to the TV and the internet.
- Open the IPTV app on the decoder.
- Configure IPTV settings with server details, username, and password.
- Browse the channel list and EPG.
- Select a channel or program to watch.
- Control playback with your remote.
- Access catch-up and on-demand content if available.
- Customize settings and features.
- Exit the app when done.
Remember that the process may vary based on your decoder’s brand and model. Refer to the user manual for specific instructions. Ensure you have a valid IPTV subscription before using the decoder for IPTV streaming.
Hardware Decoder VS Software Decoder
Here is a brief table outlining the differences between hardware decoders and software decoders:
Feature | Hardware Decoder | Software Decoder |
---|---|---|
Decoding Efficiency | High, utilize dedicated hardware | Relatively lower, relies on computer CPU |
Performance Requirements | Now, doesn’t consume host computing resources | High, may lead to computer performance degradation |
Handling HD Video | Excellent, can smoothly process HD video | Depending on computer performance, the potential for stuttering |
Power Consumption | Low, typically doesn’t require additional power supply | High, may lead to computer heating |
Hardware Requirements | Requires additional hardware like a graphics card | No additional hardware needed |
Software Upgrades | Usually no need for upgrades or updates | This can be improved through software updates |
Flexibility | Limited, often designed for specific purposes | Highly flexible, suitable for various media applications |
Cost | Generally higher, requires purchasing dedicated hardware | Typically lower, only requires software |
Installation and Setup | Relatively simple, often plug-and-play | May require more configuration and adjustments |
This table summarizes the main distinctions between hardware decoders and software decoders, covering aspects such as performance, cost, power consumption, and flexibility. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs and use cases. Hardware decoders are typically suitable for specialized applications requiring high performance and stability, while software decoders offer greater flexibility and are suitable for general-purpose computers and multimedia applications.
IPTV decoder FAQ
How to Set Decoder to HW on Firestick?
To enable hardware acceleration on an Amazon Firestick, follow these steps:
- Open your video player app (e.g., AirTV APP, VLC, MX Player, Kodi) on the Firestick.
- Access the app’s settings or preferences, usually represented by a gear icon.
- Look for a section related to video playback or hardware settings.
- Find and enable the hardware acceleration option, often labeled as “HW” or “Hardware.”
- Save or apply the changes and, if required, restart the app for the settings to take effect.
Please note that the location and availability of these settings can vary by app, and not all video formats may be compatible with hardware acceleration. If you’re using an official streaming app (e.g., Netflix), the control over decoding settings may be limited.
Which is better software decoding or hardware decoding?
Which one Decodes Faster? In normal cases, the speed difference between hardware decoding and software decoding is little. However, when the decoding task gets more difficult, or your computer is not good enough, the software decoding gets slower. This is practical when you are choosing a codec for a monitoring plan.
Do you need a decoder for IPTV?
IPTV decoders prevent piracy and unapproved access to content. Since the video content is encoded, viewers need to have a compatible decoder to decode the content and watch it using their computer or television.
What is IPTV decoder?
The IPTV decoder’s function is to receive the content and decode it into a format that your digital devices can play. IPTV decoders prevent piracy and unapproved access to content.
Conclusion
When you have audio and video out of sync or some channel buffering, the main problem is compatibility between the device firmware and IPTV stream, so switching decoder modes is a good way to solve these problems.
So now, you should be able to resolve and fix any problems you encounter with IPTV buffering, freezing, stalling, out-fo-sync, etc.
Are you ready? Start your 3-day free trial of premium IPTV without buffering and freezing.