What the TV guide (EPG) is
EPG stands for electronic programme guide: the grid that shows what is on each channel now, what is next, and what aired earlier. In IPTV the guide is not part of the video stream. It is separate data that your player downloads and matches to your channels.
The common format is XMLTV, an XML file (often compressed as .xml.gz) listing programmes with start and end times for each channel. HHPlayer builds a full guide grid from your provider's XMLTV data, so you can see what is on and plan a day ahead.
Where the guide comes from
- With an Xtream Codes login, the guide is usually delivered through the provider's API, so there is nothing extra to enter.
- With an M3U playlist, the guide comes from a separate XMLTV link supplied by your provider. Some playlists point to it, others do not.
Either way, the data comes from your provider, not from HHPlayer. If you are unsure which one you have, read M3U vs Xtream Codes.
The link between a channel and its guide is the tvg-id value in the playlist, which must match the channel id in the XMLTV file. When the two do not match, the channel shows no programmes.
Why the guide is empty or at the wrong time
The guide is empty
- It has not finished loading. Large guides take time to download and process on the first run.
- Your provider gave no XMLTV link (M3U) or does not publish guide data for that channel.
- The
tvg-idvalues do not match the guide, so channels cannot be linked to their programmes. - The guide data has expired because the provider has not updated it.
The times are off by an hour or more
- The guide is published in another time zone, or with a fixed shift, than the one your device uses. Providers sometimes offer separate guide links per time zone, so ask which one to use.
- Your device's clock or time zone is wrong. Set both to automatic first.
Some channels have a guide, others do not
This is normal. Guide coverage is decided by the provider, channel by channel.
What catch-up, replay and timeshift mean
These words describe watching something that has already aired:
- Catch-up or replay lets you watch a past programme from a list.
- Restart takes the programme you are watching back to its beginning.
- Timeshift is the Xtream name for the archive a provider keeps for a channel.
It is not recorded on your device. The provider keeps an archive of selected channels for a limited number of days, and the player simply asks for the right part of it. So catch-up depends on the provider: some channels have several days, some have none, and the archive length can differ from channel to channel. HHPlayer offers catch-up and restart when your provider supplies an archive or Xtream timeshift.
Using the guide and catch-up in HHPlayer
- Add your M3U link or Xtream login (see features for the overview, and the demo playlist if you want to try the app first).
- Open the TV guide and move through the grid with your remote, mouse or finger. Channel numbers and favourites work as in the channel list.
- Select a programme that is on now to watch it, or choose Restart when your provider supports it to begin it again.
- For a past programme, select it in the guide where an archive exists.
If you watch on a television, the remote experience matters; see our Android TV and LG TV guides. HHPlayer for LG is coming soon.
Troubleshooting checklist
- Wait. Give the first load a few minutes, then refresh the playlist.
- Check the playlist type. With M3U, make sure you also have an XMLTV link. With Xtream, check the login.
- Check the time. Make sure your device time and time zone are automatic. If only the shown times are off, ask your provider for the correct guide.
- Test another channel. If a few channels work and others do not, the cause is the provider's data, not the app.
- Ask about the archive. If catch-up is missing, ask your provider which channels have an archive and how many days.
- Contact support. Our help page explains what to include. Never post your playlist link or password.
Guide data, catch-up archives and channel availability depend on your provider. HHPlayer does not supply streams, and you should only use playlists and content you have the right to access.
Questions and answers
What is an EPG in IPTV?
EPG is the electronic programme guide: a grid of what is on each channel. In IPTV it is separate data, usually XMLTV, that the player matches to your channels.
Why is my IPTV guide empty?
Common causes are a guide that is still loading, no XMLTV link with an M3U playlist, tvg-id values that do not match, or outdated data from the provider.
Why are the guide times wrong?
The guide is probably published in another time zone or with a shift, or your device time zone is wrong. Set your device to automatic and ask your provider which guide link to use.
How does IPTV catch-up work?
The provider keeps an archive of selected channels for a number of days, and the player requests a past programme from it. Nothing is recorded on your device, so availability depends on the provider.
Does HHPlayer support the TV guide and catch-up?
Yes. HHPlayer shows a guide grid from your provider's XMLTV data and offers catch-up and restart when the provider supplies an archive or Xtream timeshift.