Catch-up lets you play a programme after it has been broadcast, straight from the TV guide. With ViviMate, catch-up is available on supported channels and content. Not every channel offers it, and how it looks depends on your player, but once you know where to look it's one of the most useful features of IPTV. It sits alongside the EPG guide among the ViviMate features included in every plan.
Catch-up, timeshift and recording: what's the difference?
| Feature | What it does | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Catch-up (archive) | Plays a programme that has already aired, from the guide | The channel's archive on the server, on supported channels |
| Timeshift | Pauses or rewinds the programme that's on now | Your player, where it supports this |
| Recording | Saves a programme to your device's storage | Your player, where it supports this, often as a paid feature |
This guide is about catch-up. Pausing and recording are player features, so check your player's settings or the ViviMate IPTV player guide.
What you need for catch-up to work
- A channel that supports catch-up. Only supported channels keep an archive, and how far back each one goes can vary.
- A player that supports catch-up. Many TV-focused players do; simple players such as VLC do not.
- A working TV guide. You choose catch-up programmes from the guide, so the EPG must be loaded. If it isn't, start with the ViviMate EPG guide.
- Preferably an Xtream Codes login. Players usually detect catch-up most reliably with Xtream Codes; see M3U vs Xtream Codes.
How to find catch-up programmes
- Look for the catch-up icon. Most players mark channels that support catch-up with a small clock or rewind symbol in the channel list or guide.
- Scroll back in the guide. On a supported channel, move left in the guide grid to see programmes that have already aired.
- Check the channel menu. Some players also list past programmes from a long-press or options menu on the channel.
How to play a programme you missed
- Open the guide and go to a channel with the catch-up icon.
- Scroll back to the programme you want.
- Select it and choose Play (some players call it Watch from start or Archive).
- Use the player's seek controls to skip forward or back within the programme.
Why timing matters for catch-up
Catch-up uses the guide's start and end times to know which part of the archive to play. If your device's time zone doesn't match the guide, the player asks for the wrong slice of time. You might land in the middle of the previous programme, or miss the start of the one you chose.
- check that your device's date, time and time zone are set correctly;
- if the guide itself is shifted, use your player's EPG time offset setting;
- on MAG boxes, set the time zone in the box settings (see the MAG box guide).
Catch-up problems and fixes
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| No catch-up icon anywhere | Check your player supports catch-up and that you're logged in with Xtream Codes. |
| Catch-up plays the wrong programme | Fix the device time zone or the player's EPG offset. |
| "Not available" on a particular programme | That channel or programme isn't in the archive; not every channel supports catch-up. |
| Catch-up buffers more than live TV | Try again later or step down in quality; the troubleshooting guide covers buffering. |
If you rely on catch-up for particular channels, ask ViviMate support which ones offer it before you order.
