Samsung and LG are the two Smart TV brands you see most in UAE living rooms, and both can run IPTV without an extra box. But they do it in slightly different ways, and knowing the difference saves a lot of head-scratching. This article explains how each brand handles IPTV, how to check whether your TV is up to it, and what to do when it isn’t. For the button-by-button steps, see our IPTV Smart TV guide.
Tizen and webOS: two different systems
Samsung Smart TVs run Samsung’s own system, called Tizen. LG Smart TVs run LG’s system, webOS. Neither is Android, so you won’t find the Google Play Store on either of them. Instead, each brand has its own app store with its own selection of apps.
For IPTV, this matters in three ways:
- The choice of player apps is smaller than on Android or Fire TV. There are good players on both stores, but not every app you read about online exists on Samsung or LG.
- Apps vary by region. The store on a TV bought in the UAE may show different apps from the same TV bought in Europe.
- Some players work with a device ID. Rather than typing your login into the TV with the remote, you add it on the app’s website using a code shown on the TV.
Step 1: find out how old your TV is
Older Smart TVs stop receiving app updates, and new player apps may not support them. Before you start, find your model year.
On a Samsung TV
Open Settings > Support > About This TV. The model code appears there. Samsung model codes include a letter that indicates the year, and the support pages on Samsung’s website will tell you the year for your code. If you see a menu called Smart Hub instead of Apps, the TV is likely one of the older generation.
On an LG TV
Open Settings > All Settings > Support (or General) > About This TV. You will see the model and the webOS version. The higher the webOS version, the newer the TV and the better its app support.
As a rule of thumb, if your TV is more than a few years old and you can’t find a player app in its store, skip straight to the streaming-stick option at the end of this article.
Step 2: update the TV
Update the software before installing anything. On Samsung go to Settings > Support > Software Update. On LG go to About This TV and check for updates. Turn on automatic updates while you are there.
Step 3: install a player app
On both brands, press Home, open Apps and use the search icon. Search for the player app we recommend for your TV when you order, and choose Install. We recommend a specific player because the best option changes as apps are updated and differs between Samsung and LG.
Step 4: add your login
This is where the two kinds of player differ.
- Direct login players ask you to type your details on the TV: usually a server address, username and password, or an M3U playlist link. Type carefully with the remote; some TVs let you connect a USB keyboard to make it easier.
- Device ID players show a device ID, MAC address or key when you first open them. You then go to the app’s website on your phone or computer, enter that ID and add your playlist there. When you restart the app on the TV, your channels appear.
If you are not sure which kind you have, take a photo of the first screen and send it to us on WhatsApp.
Typing a login with a TV remote
Entering a long server address with the arrow keys is the most tedious part of Smart TV setup. These tricks help:
- Use your phone as the remote. Samsung’s SmartThings app and LG’s ThinQ app both include a remote with a keyboard for compatible TVs.
- Plug in a USB keyboard. Many Samsung and LG TVs accept a standard wired or wireless USB keyboard.
- Use the device-ID website if your player offers one: you type on your phone or computer instead of the TV.
- Check before you save. Look closely at characters that are easy to mix up, such as a capital I and a lowercase l, or the number 0 and the letter O.
IPTV on Samsung and LG Smart TV: the differences in practice
- Remote control: Samsung’s smaller remotes rely on on-screen menus; LG’s Magic Remote has a pointer that makes typing a login faster.
- Quick start modes: both brands keep apps half-awake in standby (Instant On on Samsung, Quick Start+ on LG). If a player behaves oddly after standby, turn the TV off at the wall for a minute.
- Motion settings: Samsung calls its smoothing Auto Motion Plus; LG calls it TruMotion. A low setting helps sport and a setting of off suits films.
- Picture modes: avoid the bright “Dynamic” or “Vivid” modes for long viewing. Standard, Movie, Cinema or Filmmaker Mode look more natural.
Getting a steady picture
Smart TVs are often mounted on a wall far from the router, which makes Wi-Fi the weak point. A cable from the router to the TV is the best fix for 4K. If that is impossible, connect the TV to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network and keep the router in the open rather than in a cupboard. Our article on fixing IPTV buffering covers more options, including mesh Wi-Fi for villas.
When a streaming stick is the better choice
Sometimes the honest answer is that the TV isn’t the best device for IPTV. If your TV is older, slow to respond or simply can’t find a good player, plug in a Fire TV Stick or an Android TV box. You keep the screen you like and gain a faster system with a much wider choice of apps. Our Firestick guide and Android box guide explain the steps.
Common errors and what they mean
- “Playlist not found” or an empty list: the login was added to a different device ID. Check the ID on the TV matches the one on the website.
- “Invalid username or password”: a typing mistake. Re-enter the details exactly as sent.
- Picture freezes, sound continues: usually weak Wi-Fi. Try a cable or the 5 GHz network.
- The app has disappeared after an update: reinstall it from the store; your device ID usually stays the same.
Frequently asked questions
Is Samsung or LG better for IPTV?
Both work well on recent models. LG’s pointer remote makes typing logins easier, while Samsung’s store has a good range of players. The age of the TV matters more than the brand.
Can I install Android apps on a Samsung or LG TV?
No. Tizen and webOS can’t run Android apps. If you want an Android app, add an Android TV box or a Fire TV Stick.
Why does my TV ask for a MAC address?
Some Smart TV players identify your TV by its MAC address or device ID so they know where to send your playlist.
Can I watch 4K IPTV on my Smart TV?
Yes, if it is a 4K TV with a fast, stable connection. Allow about 25 Mbps for the TV, ideally over a cable.