What is VIDAA OS?
VIDAA is Hisense's proprietary smart TV operating system, developed as a lightweight alternative to Android TV, Samsung's Tizen, and LG's webOS. Originally based on Linux, VIDAA was first introduced in 2014 and has gone through several major versions — VIDAA U (2017), VIDAA U4 (2020), VIDAA U5 (2021), VIDAA U6 (2022), and VIDAA U7 (2024).
VIDAA is fast and responsive — it boots in under 3 seconds on most models. However, its app ecosystem is smaller than Android TV or Tizen. While it includes Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and other major streaming apps out of the box, IPTV-specific apps are more limited compared to Android TV. This guide covers every way to get IPTV working on your VIDAA TV.
VIDAA is also used on some Toshiba TV models (since Hisense acquired Toshiba's TV division in 2018) and select Sharp TVs in certain markets. So if you own a newer Toshiba smart TV, this guide likely applies to you as well.
IPTV Apps Available on VIDAA App Store
The VIDAA App Store has a limited but growing selection of IPTV-compatible apps. Here are the ones currently available that work with M3U playlists or Xtream Codes:
iPlayTV
One of the most popular IPTV players on VIDAA. Supports M3U URLs and Xtream Codes login. Clean interface with EPG (electronic program guide) support. Free to install, with an optional premium version that removes ads. Handles most stream formats including HLS and MPEG-TS.
Best for: Most users — reliable and straightforward
OTT Navigator
A feature-rich IPTV player available on VIDAA. Supports M3U, Xtream Codes, and Stalker portal connections. Offers channel grouping, favorites, EPG grid view, and catch-up TV functionality. More advanced settings than iPlayTV, including buffer size adjustment and stream format selection.
Best for: Power users who want more control over playback settings
Duplex IPTV
Available on VIDAA through the App Store. Duplex IPTV uses a device activation model — you install the app, note the device ID and key shown on screen, then activate it via the Duplex IPTV website. Supports Xtream Codes and M3U. Requires a one-time activation fee (typically around €5). Known for stable playback and a polished interface.
Best for: Users who want premium stability and do not mind the activation fee
Net IPTV
Another activation-based app available on some VIDAA models. Supports M3U playlists and offers a 7-day free trial before requiring activation. Simple interface focused on channel browsing. Note: availability varies by region and VIDAA version — check your App Store.
Best for: Simple channel browsing with minimal setup
Before You Start: Network Setup
IPTV requires a stable internet connection. For best results on a Hisense VIDAA TV, follow these steps to ensure your network is properly configured:
Connect via Ethernet (recommended)
Plug an Ethernet cable into the LAN port on the back of your Hisense TV. Go to Settings (gear icon on the remote) > Network > Wired Connection. The TV should automatically obtain an IP address via DHCP. Wired connections eliminate Wi-Fi interference and provide consistent bandwidth for 4K streaming.
Or connect via Wi-Fi
Go to Settings > Network > Wireless Connection. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Use the 5GHz band if your router supports it — 5GHz offers faster speeds with less interference, though 2.4GHz has better range. Minimum recommended speed: 25 Mbps for HD, 50 Mbps for 4K.
Set DNS to Google or Cloudflare
For faster loading, go to Settings > Network > your active connection > IP Settings > DNS Mode > Manual. Enter 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) as the primary DNS. This can resolve issues where your ISP's DNS is slow or blocks certain services.
Method 1: Using Apps from the VIDAA App Store
This is the simplest method and works on all VIDAA versions. Here is how to install and configure an IPTV app using iPlayTV as an example:
Open the VIDAA App Store
Press the Home button on your Hisense remote. Navigate to "App Store" or "Apps" in the bottom menu bar. On VIDAA U6/U7, it appears as a grid icon in the home screen toolbar.
Search for an IPTV app
Use the search function (magnifying glass icon) and type "iPlayTV", "OTT Navigator", or "Duplex IPTV". Select the app from the results and press "Install". Installation typically takes 10-30 seconds.
Open the app and add your playlist
Launch the installed app. Select "Add Playlist" or "Add Source". Choose the input method — for our service, select "Xtream Codes" and enter the server URL, username, and password we provide. Alternatively, select "M3U URL" and paste the M3U link from your subscription email.
Wait for the channel list to load
The app will download your channel list and EPG data. This can take 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your connection speed and the size of the playlist. Once loaded, channels appear grouped by category — navigate to "Greece" or "Cyprus" to find Greek channels.
Start watching
Select any channel and it will begin streaming. Use the left/right buttons on your remote to switch channels. Press OK or the center button to bring up the channel info overlay. Press the back button to return to the channel list.
Method 2: Sideloading Apps via USB
Important Limitation
VIDAA is not Android-based, so you cannot install standard Android APK files directly. However, some newer Hisense models (2022 and later) run Android TV or Google TV instead of VIDAA — check Settings > System > About to confirm your OS. If your Hisense TV runs Android TV, you can sideload any Android APK via USB using a file manager app. If it runs VIDAA, sideloading is not supported — use Method 1 or Method 3 instead.
For Hisense TVs running Android TV (models like the U8K, U7K, A7K in certain regions), here is how to sideload IPTV apps like TiviMate or IPTV Smarters Pro:
Enable Unknown Sources
Go to Settings > Device Preferences > Security & Restrictions > Unknown Sources. Toggle it on. This allows the TV to install apps from outside the Google Play Store.
Download the APK on a computer
On your PC or Mac, download the APK file for TiviMate, IPTV Smarters Pro, or another IPTV app from a trusted source (the developer's official website). Copy the APK to a USB flash drive formatted as FAT32.
Install a file manager on the TV
From the Google Play Store on your TV, install "File Commander" or "FX File Explorer". This is needed to browse the USB drive and open the APK file.
Insert USB and install
Plug the USB drive into your Hisense TV. Open the file manager, navigate to the USB drive, find the APK file, and select it. Confirm the installation when prompted. The app will appear in your app drawer.
Method 3: Using an External Device (Firestick, Chromecast, etc.)
If your VIDAA App Store does not have the IPTV app you want, or you prefer a more flexible app ecosystem, the most reliable option is to plug an external streaming device into one of your Hisense TV's HDMI ports. This bypasses VIDAA entirely and gives you full access to Android or Fire OS apps.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (around €60) or the standard Fire TV Stick 4K (around €40) plugs directly into your Hisense TV's HDMI port. You can then install TiviMate, IPTV Smarters Pro, or any other IPTV app from the Amazon Appstore or by sideloading. The Fire TV Stick has its own remote, so you switch to the HDMI input and use the Firestick for IPTV.
Best overall option — great app support and affordable
Chromecast with Google TV
The Chromecast with Google TV (4K or HD model) runs a full Android TV interface. Install IPTV apps directly from the Google Play Store — TiviMate, IPTV Smarters, OTT Navigator, and hundreds more are available. Also supports casting from your phone via the Google Home app.
Best for Google ecosystem users
NVIDIA Shield TV
The premium option (around €150-200). NVIDIA Shield TV Pro offers the best performance for IPTV — powerful Tegra X1+ processor handles 4K HDR streams without any stuttering. Supports AI upscaling, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. Also doubles as a Plex server. Overkill for basic IPTV, but unbeatable for quality.
Best for 4K enthusiasts and power users
Xiaomi Mi Box S / TV Stick
Budget-friendly Android TV devices (€40-60) that run the full Google Play Store. The Mi Box S supports 4K HDR and has both HDMI and USB ports. Performance is adequate for HD and most 4K streams, though it may struggle with very high bitrate 4K content compared to the Shield TV.
Best budget option with full Android TV
Tip: HDMI-CEC for Remote Control
Enable HDMI-CEC on your Hisense TV (Settings > System > HDMI-CEC — Hisense calls it "Anyview Cast" or simply "CEC" depending on the model). This lets your Hisense remote control the external device plugged into HDMI, so you do not need to juggle two remotes.
Hisense TV Model Compatibility
Hisense sells TVs with different operating systems depending on the region and model year. Here is how to identify what your TV runs:
| OS Version | Years / Models | IPTV App Support | Recommended Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIDAA U4 | 2020 (A7100F, A7500F, A7300F) | Limited — fewer apps in store | External device (Method 3) |
| VIDAA U5 | 2021 (A6G, A7G, U7G, U8G) | Good — iPlayTV, Duplex available | Built-in apps (Method 1) |
| VIDAA U6 | 2022-2023 (A6H, A7H, U7H, U8H) | Good — broader app selection | Built-in apps (Method 1) |
| VIDAA U7 | 2024-2025 (A6N, A7N, U7N, U8N) | Best — most apps available | Built-in apps (Method 1) |
| Google TV / Android TV | 2022+ (U7K, U8K, A7K — varies by region) | Full — Google Play Store access | Play Store or sideload (Method 2) |
To check your TV's OS version: Press the Settings button on the remote > System > About > Software Version. The VIDAA version is displayed alongside the firmware number.
Optimizing Your Hisense TV Settings for IPTV
Picture Settings
Go to Settings > Picture > Picture Mode and select "Standard" or "Filmmaker Mode" for IPTV. Avoid "Sports" or "Dynamic" modes as they add excessive processing that can cause input lag and artifacts on compressed IPTV streams. Disable "Noise Reduction" and "MPEG Noise Reduction" (Settings > Picture > Advanced Settings > Clarity) — these are designed for antenna signals and can make IPTV streams look blurry. Set "Motion Enhancement" to Off or Low.
Audio Settings
If you use a soundbar or AV receiver via HDMI ARC/eARC or optical: Go to Settings > Sound > Digital Audio Output and select "Auto" or "Passthrough". For basic TV speakers, leave it on "PCM". If you experience audio delay, check Settings > Sound > Audio Delay and adjust the offset (usually 50-150ms corrects lip-sync issues). Hisense TVs support Dolby Audio and DTS decoding on most 2021+ models.
Power & Standby Settings
Disable auto-sleep timers that might interrupt your viewing: Settings > System > Timer Settings > Sleep Timer > Off. Also disable "Auto Power Off" (turns TV off after 4 hours of inactivity). If your IPTV app loses connection after the TV wakes from standby, go to Settings > System > Power On Settings and set "Network Standby" to On — this keeps the network connection alive in standby mode.
Common Issues on Hisense VIDAA TVs
App Not Found in VIDAA App Store
The VIDAA App Store inventory differs by region and VIDAA version. If you cannot find iPlayTV or Duplex IPTV, try changing your TV's region: Settings > System > Country/Region. Restart the TV after changing. If the app is still unavailable on your VIDAA version, use an external device (Method 3) as a guaranteed alternative.
Buffering or Freezing During Playback
First, run a speed test: Settings > Network > Network Test (or use the built-in web browser to visit fast.com). You need at least 15 Mbps for HD and 35 Mbps for 4K. If speed is adequate: (1) Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet if possible, (2) In your IPTV app settings, reduce buffer size to "Low" or change the stream format from TS to HLS, (3) Clear the app cache: Settings > Apps > [your IPTV app] > Clear Cache, (4) Try changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 as described in the network setup section.
No Audio or Audio Out of Sync
VIDAA TVs sometimes have trouble with AAC or AC3 audio codecs in IPTV streams. Fix: In your IPTV app, change the audio decoder setting from "Hardware" to "Software" decoding. If using a soundbar via ARC, set digital audio output to "PCM" instead of "Auto" or "Passthrough" to force the TV to decode audio before sending it to the soundbar. For lip-sync issues, adjust the audio delay offset in Settings > Sound > Audio Delay.
Black Screen After Channel Switch
This is a common issue on VIDAA when switching between channels with different resolutions (e.g., from an HD channel to an SD channel). The TV's scaler takes a moment to adjust. In your IPTV app settings, enable "Fast Channel Switch" or set the output resolution to a fixed value (1080p) rather than "Auto" to reduce resolution-switching delays. On some models, a firmware update fixes this — check Settings > System > About > Software Update.
IPTV App Crashes or Closes Unexpectedly
VIDAA has limited RAM compared to Android TV (typically 1.5-2GB). If the IPTV app crashes: (1) Close all other apps running in the background — press and hold the Home button, then close unused apps, (2) Clear the app cache, (3) If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the app, (4) Make sure your VIDAA firmware is up to date. Persistent crashing on older VIDAA U4 models is best solved by switching to an external streaming device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install TiviMate on a Hisense VIDAA TV?
TiviMate is an Android app and is not available in the VIDAA App Store. If your Hisense TV runs Android TV (check Settings > About), you can install it from the Google Play Store or sideload it. If your TV runs VIDAA, use iPlayTV or OTT Navigator instead, or connect a Fire TV Stick and install TiviMate on that.
How do I know if my Hisense TV runs VIDAA or Android TV?
Press the Settings button on your remote and look at the interface. VIDAA has a horizontal launcher bar at the bottom of the screen. Android TV / Google TV has a vertical scrolling home screen with "Apps" and "Google Play Store" sections. You can also check Settings > System > About — it will say "VIDAA" or "Android TV" with a version number.
Does VIDAA support IPTV Smarters Pro?
IPTV Smarters Pro is not available on the VIDAA App Store as it is an Android/iOS app. On VIDAA TVs, use Duplex IPTV, iPlayTV, or OTT Navigator instead — these support the same Xtream Codes login that IPTV Smarters uses. If you specifically want Smarters Pro, connect a Fire TV Stick or Chromecast with Google TV to your Hisense TV.
Why is the picture quality poor even though I have fast internet?
Check two things: (1) Your IPTV app might be set to a lower quality stream — look for a "Stream Quality" or "Auto/HD/SD" toggle in the app settings and select the highest option. (2) Your Hisense TV's picture processing might be degrading the image — disable "Noise Reduction", "MPEG Noise Reduction", and "Motion Enhancement" in Settings > Picture > Advanced Settings.
Can I use my Hisense remote to control the IPTV app?
Yes, for apps installed directly on VIDAA, the Hisense remote works fully — arrow keys for navigation, OK to select, back to go back, and volume buttons. For external devices like Fire TV Stick, enable HDMI-CEC (Settings > System > HDMI-CEC) to control the device with your Hisense remote, though you may still need the device's own remote for some functions.
What internet speed do I need for IPTV on Hisense TV?
Minimum 10 Mbps for SD channels, 15-25 Mbps for HD (1080p), and 35-50 Mbps for 4K streams. These are per-stream requirements — if you have multiple devices streaming simultaneously on the same network, you need more bandwidth. Use an Ethernet cable rather than Wi-Fi for the most consistent performance.
Get IPTV Running on Your Hisense TV Today
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