Free Online M3U8 Player – Stream IPTV & HLS Links Instantly in Your Browser
Common Questions About M3U8
What is an M3U8 File?
An M3U8 file is essentially a "directory list" that does not contain video itself but records the network addresses of many video segments. The player will load and play these segments in sequence according to this list, similar to watching while downloading. It is mainly used for online videos and live streaming, and is part of the HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) technology introduced by Apple.
M3U8 Usage Scenarios
M3U8 is widely used in mainstream video-on-demand platforms (such as Netflix, YouTube, Bilibili), real-time live streaming (such as events, game streams), encrypted paid content (such as online courses, membership videos), and video playback in mobile apps.
Difference Between M3U8 and MP4
MP4 is like a printed book where you can read the entire content once you have it, while M3U8 is like a "directory" that tells you where to find the content, making it easy to update and watch while streaming.