Overview: Time zones shouldn't dictate your sports viewing schedule. Learn how to utilize IPTV Catch-up to replay broadcasts up to 7 days in the past, and how to set up local DVR recording to save your favorite matches forever.
What is IPTV Catch-up?
Catch-up is a premium feature offered by top-tier IPTV providers that automatically records and archives live TV channels on their servers for a specific number of days (usually 3 to 7 days).
Unlike Video on Demand (VOD) which is a static library of movies, Catch-up is directly tied to your Electronic Program Guide (EPG). If you missed the Champions League final that aired at 3:00 AM local time, you simply scroll backward in your TV Guide, click on the event, and it begins playing as if it were live.
How to Spot Catch-up Channels
Not all channels support Catch-up. In apps like TiviMate or XCIPTV, look for a small "Clock" icon next to the channel name. This indicates the server is caching that specific stream.
How to Use Catch-up in TiviMate
TiviMate offers the most intuitive Catch-up interface on the market. Here is how to use it:
- Open your TV Guide (EPG).
- Look for channels with a small clock icon next to their name.
- Use the Left direction arrow on your remote to scroll backwards in time (into the past).
- Select the program you missed. It will instantly start playing from the beginning of the broadcast.
- Use the fast-forward buttons to skip through commercials or half-time shows!
Manual DVR Recording: Capturing Live Streams
What if a channel doesn't have Catch-up, or you want to save a broadcast beyond the 7-day server limit? You need to use Local DVR Recording.
Because IPTV relies on continuous data streams, recording entails saving that streaming data directly to your device's hard drive.
The Hardware Requirement
You cannot reliably record IPTV to the internal memory of a standard Firestick. The storage will fill up in less than 30 minutes, crashing the device. You must use an external storage solution.
Formuler Z11 Pro Max
The easiest way to record. Plug in a USB flash drive or connect to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive. The MYTVOnline3 app natively supports scheduled recordings, even when the TV is off.
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
Plug a 256GB USB SSD into one of the USB 3.0 ports. Configure TiviMate to point its "Recording Folder" to this external drive.
How to Schedule a Recording in TiviMate
- Find the upcoming show in your EPG.
- Long-press the Select button.
- Select Custom Recording.
- Important: Add 15 minutes of "padding" to the end of your recording in case a live sports game goes into overtime!
Want 7-Day Catch-up?
IPTVWORLD provides full 7-day Catch-up compatibility on major sports, news, and entertainment networks.
Test Catch-up Now (Free Trial)Recording FAQ
Can I watch one channel while recording another?
Yes, but only if your IPTV subscription includes two connections (multi-room). Recording a background stream consumes one connection, while watching the foreground stream consumes the second.
Why do my TiviMate recordings stop after 2 minutes?
This is caused by minor network buffering. TiviMate will drop a recording if the stream interrupts for even a split second. Ensure your device is ethernet-wired to prevent packet loss.