Options for Recording Live Internet TV Broadcasts

One of the questions IPTV users ask most frequently is whether they can record live television — just like they could with a traditional Sky+ or Freeview+ box. The answer is yes, through several different methods. This guide explains every option available to UK IPTV users, from the simplest (catch-up TV) to the most feature-rich (in-app PVR recording).

How IPTV Recording Works

Unlike traditional PVR systems which record a physical broadcast signal to a hard drive, IPTV recording works by capturing the internet stream and saving it as a video file. This is technically straightforward but requires either app support (the app records the stream) or a separate hardware solution (a capture device records what is being played).

There are four practical options, described below in order from simplest to most complex.

Option 1: Catch-Up TV (Easiest)

Before configuring any recording system, check whether your IPTV service already provides catch-up TV — this solves the "I missed a programme" problem without any configuration at all.

PROTVHUB includes catch-up functionality on supported channels. Catch-up lets you replay content broadcast in the last 7 days, directly from within your IPTV app. To access it:

1. In TiviMate, navigate to the EPG (TV Guide)
2. Use the left arrow to go back in time on the guide
3. Select a past programme marked with a catch-up icon
4. Press OK to play — the programme streams from the beginning

Option 2: TiviMate PVR Recording

TiviMate Premium includes a full PVR system — the most capable in-app recording option available for Android TV and Firestick users.

What You Need

• TiviMate Premium subscription (one-time purchase)
• A USB drive or network-attached storage (NAS) for saving recordings
• Android TV device or Firestick with USB OTG support

Setting Up TiviMate PVR

1. Plug your USB drive into your Android TV box (or use a USB OTG adapter on Firestick)
2. Open TiviMate → Settings → PVR
3. Set the storage path to your USB drive
4. In the EPG (programme guide), navigate to a future programme
5. Press OK (or long-press) and select "Record"
6. TiviMate will automatically record the programme at the scheduled time

You can also record the current channel immediately: while watching, press the Record button in the player controls. Recordings are saved as .ts video files and can be played back in TiviMate or transferred to a computer.

Option 3: IPTV Smarters DVR

IPTV Smarters Pro includes basic DVR (Digital Video Recorder) functionality on supported devices:

1. While watching a live channel in IPTV Smarters, look for the Record button in the player controls (a circle or camera icon)
2. Press Record to begin capturing the stream
3. Press Stop when you want to end the recording
4. Find your recording in the "DVR" section of the app

Option 4: External Recording Devices

For complete independence from your IPTV app's recording capabilities, an external HDMI capture device works with any setup:

• Connect your streaming device's HDMI output to an HDMI capture card (Elgato 4K60 Pro, AVerMedia, etc.)
• Connect the capture card's output to your TV
• Record on a connected computer using OBS Studio (free) or similar software

This method is more complex and primarily used by streamers and content creators. For everyday recording, TiviMate PVR is more practical.

Storage Requirements for IPTV Recordings

For regular recording use, invest in a fast USB 3.0 drive of at least 128GB. A slow USB 2.0 drive may struggle to write 4K streams in real time without corruption.

For the full picture on IPTV recording including PVR vs catch-up comparison, see our dedicated advanced IPTV features guide. And to get started with PROTVHUB's catch-up and VOD library, claim your free 24-hour trial today.