DVR Guide · 2026

How to Record IPTV: Build an IPTV DVR System

Yes — you can record IPTV channels. From simple TiviMate recordings on a USB drive to a full whole-home Plex DVR server, here are your options in 2026.

💬 Ask About Catch-Up TV Options
Before you build a DVR: Check if your IPTV provider already includes catch-up TV. Flickhaven offers 7-day catch-up on hundreds of channels — for most users, this covers the "I missed it" use case without any DVR setup. A full DVR is best for users who need permanent recordings or want to record multiple channels simultaneously.

4 Ways to Record IPTV in 2026

📱

TiviMate Premium DVR

Easiest — Recommended
Difficulty: EasyCost: ~£3.49 one-time (TiviMate Premium unlock)

TiviMate Premium includes built-in DVR recording. Connect a USB drive to your Firestick, configure the recording path in TiviMate settings, then schedule recordings directly from the EPG guide — same as a traditional Sky Q box.

Steps

  1. 1.Purchase TiviMate Premium via the Companion app on Google Play Store (£3.49 one-time).
  2. 2.Connect a USB drive to your Firestick 4K Max (requires USB OTG adapter) or directly to your Android TV box USB port.
  3. 3.In TiviMate → Settings → DVR → set recording path to the USB drive folder.
  4. 4.Open the EPG guide, hover over any programme and press Select → Record. Choose "Record this programme" or "Record series".
  5. 5.TiviMate records the stream to the USB drive as an .ts or .mp4 file during the broadcast time.
  6. 6.Find recordings in TiviMate → Archive section. Play back at any time.

Pros

  • ✓No extra hardware required
  • ✓Scheduled recording from EPG
  • ✓Series recording support
  • ✓Plays back within TiviMate
  • ✓Time-shift (pause/rewind live TV)

Cons

  • ✗Requires TiviMate Premium (£3.49)
  • ✗USB drive needed (not included)
  • ✗Android TV / Firestick only
  • ✗Recording quality tied to stream quality
⏪

Provider Catch-Up TV

No Setup Required
Difficulty: NoneCost: Included with Flickhaven subscription

Many quality IPTV providers — including Flickhaven — offer built-in catch-up TV on supported channels. This gives you 7 days of content to rewatch without any recording setup. Not a true DVR but solves "I missed it" for most use cases.

Steps

  1. 1.In IPTV Smarters, TiviMate, or any app — find the channel in the EPG guide.
  2. 2.Navigate backwards in the EPG to a past time slot.
  3. 3.Press OK/Select on a past programme to play it back directly.
  4. 4.Catch-up TV is available for 24–168 hours depending on the channel and provider.

Pros

  • ✓Zero setup
  • ✓No extra hardware or software
  • ✓Works on all devices
  • ✓Covered by your existing subscription

Cons

  • ✗Limited to supported channels
  • ✗Content disappears after 7 days
  • ✗Cannot save recordings locally
🖥

Plex DVR (Home Server)

Most Powerful
Difficulty: AdvancedCost: Plex Pass £3.99/mo + hardware costs

Plex Media Server with Plex DVR is the most powerful whole-home IPTV recording solution. Set up on a PC or Raspberry Pi, it records multiple channels simultaneously, organises recordings by show, and streams them to any device in the house — or remotely.

Steps

  1. 1.Install Plex Media Server on a Windows PC, Mac, or Raspberry Pi that stays on 24/7.
  2. 2.Subscribe to Plex Pass (required for DVR features — £3.99/month or £89.99 lifetime).
  3. 3.In Plex settings, go to Live TV & DVR → Add Device. Use your M3U URL from Flickhaven as the IPTV source.
  4. 4.Set your XMLTV EPG URL (also from Flickhaven) so Plex can schedule recordings from programme names.
  5. 5.Use the Plex guide to browse channels and schedule recordings — similar to Sky Q.
  6. 6.Recordings are stored on your server and stream to any Plex app on TV, phone, or PC.

Pros

  • ✓Record multiple channels simultaneously
  • ✓Series recording with metadata
  • ✓Access recordings remotely
  • ✓Works on every device via Plex app
  • ✓Commercial skip feature (Plex Pass)

Cons

  • ✗Requires always-on PC or server
  • ✗Complex setup compared to TiviMate
  • ✗Plex Pass subscription needed
  • ✗Higher upfront cost
🍉

Jellyfin + TVHeadend (Free Server)

Free & Open Source
Difficulty: AdvancedCost: Free (open source) — hardware only

Jellyfin combined with TVHeadend is the fully free, open-source alternative to Plex. TVHeadend handles IPTV streams and recording; Jellyfin provides the media server front-end for playback on any device. Requires Linux knowledge to set up.

Steps

  1. 1.Install TVHeadend on a Raspberry Pi 4 or Linux server. Configure your Flickhaven M3U URL as an IPTV network.
  2. 2.Set up your XMLTV EPG URL in TVHeadend for the programme guide.
  3. 3.Install Jellyfin Media Server on the same or a different Linux machine.
  4. 4.Connect Jellyfin to TVHeadend via the Live TV plugin.
  5. 5.Schedule recordings in the Jellyfin web interface or the Jellyfin app on any device.
  6. 6.Recordings are saved locally and streamed via Jellyfin to any device.

Pros

  • ✓Completely free and open-source
  • ✓No ongoing subscription costs
  • ✓Full control over your setup
  • ✓Active community and updates

Cons

  • ✗Requires Linux knowledge
  • ✗Complex multi-step setup
  • ✗No official support (community only)
  • ✗Not suitable for beginners

Which DVR Method Should You Choose?

I just want to catch programmes I missed→ Use Flickhaven's built-in catch-up TV — zero setup.
I want to record on my Firestick or Android box→ TiviMate Premium + USB drive. Easiest true DVR option.
I want whole-home DVR with remote access→ Plex DVR on a home PC or NAS server.
I want a free, open-source whole-home solution→ Jellyfin + TVHeadend on Raspberry Pi 4.

FAQ

QCan you record IPTV channels?▼

Yes. TiviMate Premium records to a USB drive attached to your Firestick or Android box. Plex DVR and Jellyfin/TVHeadend support server-based recording for whole-home setups. Many providers also include 7-day catch-up TV which covers most "I missed it" scenarios without any recording setup.

QWhat is the best IPTV DVR app?▼

TiviMate Premium is the best IPTV DVR for Firestick and Android TV — records to USB drive, supports EPG-scheduled recordings, and plays back within the app. For a full home server DVR, Plex with a tuner card is the most powerful option.

QDoes TiviMate have a recording feature?▼

Yes. TiviMate Premium includes DVR recording. Connect a USB drive to your Firestick or Android TV box, set the recording path in TiviMate settings, then schedule recordings from the EPG guide.

QDo I need a separate device to record IPTV?▼

No for simple recordings — TiviMate uses a USB drive on your existing Firestick. For advanced whole-home DVR (multiple simultaneous recordings, remote access), a Raspberry Pi or NAS running Plex or Jellyfin is recommended.

Want Catch-Up TV Without the DVR Setup?

Flickhaven includes 7-day catch-up TV on supported channels — no recording setup needed. Start a free trial to test it.

💬 Get Free Trial with Catch-Up TV