How to watch cable TV on Internet TV: hot topics and practical guides across the Internet
With the popularity of smart TVs and Internet set-top boxes, how to watch traditional cable TV through the Internet has become a hot topic recently. This article will provide you with structured solutions based on hot topics discussed across the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Analysis of hot topics across the entire network (last 10 days)

| Ranking | topic | heat index | Main discussion platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Comparison of picture quality between IPTV and cable TV | 92,000 | Zhihu, Bilibili |
| 2 | TV Home and other APPs will be discontinued for follow-up | 78,000 | Weibo, Tieba |
| 3 | IPTV tariffs of the three major operators | 65,000 | Today's headlines |
| 4 | Terrestrial digital television reception | 53,000 | Douyin, Kuaishou |
2. 5 ways to watch cable TV via Internet TV
| way | Equipment required | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator IPTV | Optical cat + set-top box | Live broadcast is stable | Need to bind broadband |
| DTMB ground wave | Antenna + Receiver | Free to receive | Limited channels |
| Cable TV APP | Smart TV/Box | No additional equipment required | May be lagging |
| HDMI connection | Cable set-top box | No loss of image quality | Trouble with wiring |
| Third-party live broadcast source | network box | Rich channels | legal risks |
3. Popular equipment recommendations (latest in 2023)
| Device type | Brand model | reference price | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network set-top box | Xiaomi Mi Box 4S Pro | 399 yuan | ordinary family |
| TV stick | Tmall magic throw | 199 yuan | Rental users |
| DTMB receiver | Gosbell | 158 yuan | rural areas |
| Smart TV | TCL Thunderbird Crane 6 | 3299 yuan | The workhorse of the living room |
4. Solutions to common problems
1.Why does online TV freeze when watching live broadcasts?The main reason is insufficient network bandwidth (recommended at least 100M) or the server load is too high. You can try switching signal sources or using a wired connection.
2.How to watch cable TV legally?It is recommended to handle IPTV services through local radio and television or the official channels of operators. Currently, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom all provide related services.
3.How to renovate old TVs?The network set-top box can be connected through an HDMI converter (AV to HDMI), which costs about 50-80 yuan.
4.Which apps can still be used stably?Officially certified ones such as "CCTV Screen Assistant" and "Xueqiangguo" TV version are relatively stable, but please note that third-party APPs may have copyright risks.
5. Comparison of technical parameters
| indicator | cable TV | IPTV | webcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| delay | <1 second | 3-5 seconds | 10-30 seconds |
| resolution | 1080P | 4K optional | 720P mainly |
| Number of channels | 100+ | 200+ | 300+ |
| annual fee | 300-600 yuan | Free - 240 yuan | 0-199 yuan |
Conclusion:According to the discussion hot spots and actual usage experience across the Internet, the most recommended solution at present is to apply for the operator's IPTV service, which can not only ensure the stability of live broadcast, but also have value-added functions such as playback and on-demand. For users who pursue cost-effectiveness, the combination of DTMB terrestrial wave + network on-demand is also a good choice.
Note: The statistical period of the above data is November 1-10, 2023. Price information may fluctuate with regions and time. It is recommended to refer to the latest policies of local operators.
check the details
check the details