Comparison Between Mobile and Set-top Boxes IPTV Accounts

Today, we are discussing mobile IPTV vs. Set-Top Box Accounts. I will give a detailed comparison between these two categories of IPTV accounts. You can also call these the 2 most popular methods of viewing TV content via IPTV. The first method is viewing IPTV on Mobile phones or Tablets/phablets, and the second is watching your IPTV channels on a larger screen via Android TV set-top boxes.

 

Mobile IPTV vs. Set-Top Box Accounts: What Are The Differences?

Within this post, I will define a mobile IPTV account as any IPTV account(numeric codes, usernames, and passwords or in the form of a URL) that can work on mobile phones and tablets.

By contrast, a desktop IPTV service account is usable only on select decoders, Android TV boxes, IPTV boxes, Smart TVs, game consoles, or a Computer.

The same IPTV account can usually work for mobile and PC. If that is the case, then what’s the purpose of this article? Well, this article aims to compare the benefits of using one over the other. In other words, we will compare the performance of a desktop IPTV account over that of a mobile Vis-a-vis the viewing experience.

Should you subscribe to and use an IPTV service on your phone or go with an account on a set-top box? What are the differences between a mobile IPTV account/app and an Android box? In this section, I will answer the questions about mobile IPTV vs. IPTV box accounts. After reading this article, you will be more informed about which account best suits your needs.

Mobile IPTV vs. Set-Top IPTV Accounts

• Price

If an IPTV account vendor has different accounts for mobile and desktop, the price of the account for the desktop IPTV would be higher. The reason is that the picture quality and the stream quality of the account for IPTV boxes must have been improved. For example, the IPTV may be in 4k while the mobile may lack it. Similarly, low-end phones are seldom used for IPTV streaming. If you do, you will have a very poor user experience. Will you now invest in a top-of-the-line phone just for IPTV? Why not buy an Android box instead. after all, this cost just a token compared to the price of a mid-range phone.

In addition, while you can see countless free accounts for mobile IPTV, it isn’t easy to get a good free app that is fully optimized for your Android TV box. You usually pay for a premium IPTV account for your TV box.

• Android IPTV boxes output better Picture quality

I have enjoyed the best of both worlds. If you use an IPTV account on a set-top box, you will be meted with such an immersive experience, so much so that you will never want to watch IPTV content on your phone anymore. Nowadays, we have a plethora of 4K IPTV boxes. Conversely, only high-end phones are 4K as of now.

• The argument for convenience

First, many would agree that you can never compare web browsing or video streaming on a PC or TV to that of a mobile phone or tablet. That larger screen offers a huge advantage. For one, You can conveniently watch IPTV on your TV screen with families and friends, but you can’t do that conveniently with your mobile phone. Secondly, watching on mobile has a more severe strain on your eyes compared to a desktop. Finally, your battery life will decrease faster if you continue streaming IPTV content on your phone instead of your PC.  

• The versatility of Android Boxes or Decoders compared to Mobile and some receivers that support IPTV

In simplest terms, IPTV decoders or Android boxes are designed to stream IPTV smoothly by default. Furthermore, while all Android IPTV boxes can support paid IPTV subscriptions, not all Android smartphones can support paid IPTV packages.

Some Android phones with outdated OS cannot run many IPTV apps.

To add to the above, IPTV for desktop supports multiple devices compared to mobile IPTV. For example, you can watch IPTV directly on your supported smart TV, an Android TV box, an Apple TV, a Roku stick, an Amazon Fire stick, your computer, your game console, and so on.

• Health Concerns of Using Mobile IPTV Instead of Desktop

You are more prone to straining your eyes by watching IPTV on your computer or phone than you will be watching it on a television or monitor. The display size of TVs is way larger and has less eye strain compared to a phone or tablet.  You can get as far back from your TV as possible without losing details. On the contrary, you need to be close to your phone to see a clear view. This is also worthy of note.

• Easy of Use of Desktop IPTV

For more convenience, you can switch between different resolutions on your TV or computer to suit your viewing and enhance the picture quality. There is a limit to what you can do with some phones without losing some details in your video. Secondly, you can easily adjust the color temperature.

• Security & Privacy

Obviously, hackers are becoming smarter. They can even build an IPTV app, so unsuspecting victims can download and use it. A suspicious IPTV package is best used on a dedicated IPTV box.

Even if malware is sent to your IPTV box, it cannot take total control of your Android IPTV box the same way it can take control of your phone.

If you have such on your mobile phone where you have all your personal information, I am afraid this may result in a colossal loss in the event of a virus attack or identity theft. Be wise, be guided. If you are careless, don’t ever rely on streaming 3rd party IPTV content on mobile. If you continue doing so, your security and privacy may be compromised eventually. Mind you, you can create a special account for your Android box that differs from the main Google account.

• Huge Distractions and Interruptions are very much associated with Mobile IPTV Accounts

Haven’t you been streaming your favorite program on the phone, and suddenly, a call came through and disrupted everything?

Interruption and or distraction from voice calls, WhatsApp calls, IMO calls, BBM calls, video calls, SMS while you are enjoying your IPTV streaming. As you already know, once a call comes through while you are streaming, your internet will cut off or slow down(unless you use wifi), and the incoming call will overlap your current session. This doesn’t happen with your television or computer.

By comparison, when you watch IPTV on set-top boxes, you can still answer a call from your mobile phone without disrupting the program.

• Mobile IPTV vs. desktop IPTV: User Interface

The fact that an IPTV set-top box( be it satellite receivers or Android boxes) is designed primarily for high-definition video streaming makes the manufacturer spend extra time designing the user interface for the task. It is common to see special launchers such as “noblex launcher”, “poco launcher”, “3D launcher” and so on. All these launchers are not compatible with mobile phones. They have huge visual enhancements to viewing on IPTV boxes.

• Mobile IPTV vs. Set-Top Box Accounts as it Affects Streaming Speed or Quality

Generally, people believe that when you are watching IPTV on mobile, you are doing so as a matter of emergency. This is so true concerning the stream quality and data consumption on some desktop IPTV apps. IPTV service account providers spend more energy optimizing their servers on a set-top box than on mobile. Hence, don’t be surprised when your program buffers on mobile while playing smoothly on a desktop. Most Android IPTV Apks are poorly optimized for the accounts.

Similarly, the stability of the streams is something to look out for in our comparison. During my test, the connection and video playback were more stable on the set-top box version of the account.

• Piracy concerns as it relates to mobile and desktop IPTV services

Without equivocation, both account types can get into trouble with the law. In other words, both mobile and desktop IPTV accounts can be used to violate the intellectual properties of original content owners. However, when you use an account solely on mobile, you are considered unserious and may be ignored by law enforcement agencies. On the contrary, if you are caught selling IPTV boxes with accounts that can open pay TV content without a valid subscription, you will quickly get into trouble with the law.

• Another constraint is your limited ability or inability to access other apps conveniently while streaming live IPTV because you do not want your phone to hang or the app to quit. At the same time, you are busy accessing other apps in the background.

Mobile IPTV Vs. Desktop IPTV: What are the Advantages of Mobile IPTV Usage over Streaming IPTV on TV boxes or Receivers?

We need to reach an equilibrium in our comparison. Therefore, the next few points will favor mobile IPTV because it will highlight its advantages over Android TV boxes.

1. You can now stream your mobile phone’s contents on a larger screen like a TV or monitor—all thanks to Miracast, chomecast, and the like. Interestingly, you don’t need any dongle to mirror your Samsung Galaxy’s contents to a Samsung smart TV. The downside is that you may get very poor picture quality, especially if the IPTV app on your phone is mobile-only.
2. Data Consumption: Using the same settings, an Android TV box will most likely consume more data bandwidth than mobile IPTV apps.
3. Mobility and portability: You can easily take your TV programs everywhere on your phone. Besides, you can also stream TV content on the go.
4. Easy startup: Furthermore, launching an IPTV app on your phone is easier and faster than booting your Android TV box or pc for the same task.
5. Finally, you can easily multitask while watching IPTV on your phone. If you do the same on your box, the app may crash.

Especially Relevant:

• Do You Still Need To Install An IPTV Set-Top Box On Your Smart TV?

• How to Watch IPTV Programs Directly from the Copyright Owner as Individuals

• 14 Features you Must look out for before Buying any IPTV Streaming Device

• Is IPTV legal? Get all the Explanations Needed to Determine the Legality of IPTV Services

The common factors

Despite the huge differences between mobile and desktop IPTV viewing, we have two major similarities. These are:

1. Usage: They are both used in the same manner. For example, they both use the internet.
2. Secondly, They serve the same purpose and meet the same objectives: viewing TV programs without a satellite dish/antenna.

Conclusion & Recommendations

Now, you may wish to ask, which one is better? Well, if you can afford it, own the two. If you own a phone, get a set-top box for your home. You can enjoy family time with a box since you won’t be watching it alone. Notwithstanding, if you want to choose just one, your viewing habits/condition is the only determinant. Are you a TV enthusiast? If yes, then go for the box. Do you have a stable power supply in your location? If your answer is in the affirmative, I still recommend the box.

However, if you are on a limited data plan, move around a lot, or have an unsteady power supply, please be content with the IPTV apps/accounts on your mobile phones.