Table of Contents
Personal Video Recording (PVR) brings one of traditional TV's most useful features to IPTV — the ability to record a live stream and watch it later. Here is a complete guide to IPTV recording, covering how it works, which apps support it, and how to get it set up.
For the best experience, use a trusted UK IPTV provider like PROTVHUB.
PVR Recording vs Catch-Up TV
| Feature | PVR Recording | Catch-Up TV |
|---|---|---|
| Storage required | Yes (USB drive or NAS) | No — server-side |
| Setup complexity | Moderate | None — built in |
| Available how long? | Indefinitely (until you delete) | Typically 7 days |
| Works on which channels? | All channels you can stream | Supported channels only |
| Schedule in advance? | Yes (with TiviMate Premium EPG) | No |
For most users, catch-up TV covers the "I missed a programme" scenario adequately. PVR recording adds value for those who want unlimited time to watch back, or who watch channels not covered by catch-up data.
TiviMate PVR — The Best Recording Option
TiviMate Premium is the most capable IPTV recording app available for Android TV and Firestick. Its PVR system:
- Records to external USB storage or network-attached storage (NAS)
- Supports scheduled recordings via the EPG programme guide
- Allows series link — automatically recording every episode of a programme
- Saves recordings as standard .ts video files playable on any media player
Setting Up PVR Recording in TiviMate
What You Need: TiviMate Premium (one-time purchase), Android TV box or Firestick (with USB OTG adapter), USB drive (minimum 32GB, FAT32 or exFAT).
- Plug your USB drive into your Android TV box (or use a USB OTG Y-cable on Firestick)
- Open TiviMate → Settings → PVR
- Tap "Storage path" and select your USB drive
- Set default pre-recording buffer (2–5 minutes recommended)
- Set post-recording buffer (5 minutes — captures the end even if the programme runs long)
Firestick note: The Firestick does not have a full-size USB port — you need a USB OTG Y-cable, which provides both power (micro-USB from the included adapter) and data (USB-A for your drive). The Y-cable costs around £8 online.
Scheduling Future Recordings
- Open TiviMate's EPG (press Guide on your remote)
- Navigate to the future programme you want to record
- Press OK (select) on the programme
- Choose "Record" from the menu — TiviMate will automatically record when the programme begins
While watching a channel, you can also start an immediate recording: press OK on your remote to open the player overlay, then press the Record button (the circle icon).
Storage Requirements and Recommendations
| Recording Quality | Per Hour | 64GB Drive | 128GB Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD (480p) | ~0.5–1 GB | ~64–128 hrs | ~128–256 hrs |
| HD (1080p) | ~1.5–3 GB | ~21–42 hrs | ~42–85 hrs |
| 4K UHD | ~8–15 GB | ~4–8 hrs | ~8–16 hrs |
Always use USB 3.0 for 4K recording — USB 2.0 cannot reliably write 4K stream data in real time. For regular HD recording, a 128GB USB 3.0 drive provides adequate storage.