> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ghost-cable.gitbook.io/ghost-cable-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ghost-cable.gitbook.io/ghost-cable-docs/chapter-1-welcome-and-quick-start/abbreviations.md).

# Abbreviations

### Common Terms & Abbreviations <a href="#h.qfua11wzl7h" id="h.qfua11wzl7h"></a>

IPTV — Internet Protocol Television

M3U — Multimedia Playlist File (used for channel lists)

EPG — Electronic Program Guide (TV schedule information)

VOD — Video On Demand

OTT — Over The Top (streaming content via internet)

DVR — Digital Video Recorder

CDN — Content Delivery Network

DNS — Domain Name System (resolves domain names)

VPN — Virtual Private Network (privacy + geo access behavior)

RTSP — Real Time Streaming Protocol

API — Application Programming Interface

APK — Android Package Kit

URL — Uniform Resource Locator (internet link)

### Networking / Streaming Basics <a href="#h.iiv6gt4hkrjg" id="h.iiv6gt4hkrjg"></a>

TTL — Time To Live

Can mean DNS cache time or packet hop limit, depending on context.

UDP — User Datagram Protocol (fast, low overhead; dropped packets usually aren’t resent)

HTTP — Hypertext Transfer Protocol (standard web traffic; common for modern streaming)

RTP — Real-time Transport Protocol (often used to carry audio/video streams)

SIP — Session Initiation Protocol (commonly VoIP; sometimes appears in media systems)

STB — Set-Top Box (a device used to run IPTV apps)

QoS — Quality of Service (router/network prioritization for smoother playback)

RTMP — Real-Time Messaging Protocol (legacy streaming protocol; still seen sometimes)

GUI — Graphical User Interface (the app’s menus, EPG grid, channel list, etc.)