How to Speed Up Channel Switching in TiviMate (2026 Guide)

If switching channels in TiviMate takes too long — freezing for a second, showing a black flash screen, or pausing before the next channel loads — you’re not alone. Fast zapping is one of the most common requests from IPTV users in 2026, especially during sports.

The good news: slow channel switching has specific causes, and once you optimise a few settings, channel changes can feel almost instant on the right device.

This guide breaks down everything you can do to speed up channel changes on:

• TiviMate

• Google TV / Android TV devices

• ONN, Shield, and Firestick alternatives

Slow zapping isn’t always your fault — it often comes from unstable sources, large playlists, or the wrong decoder and buffer settings.

Why Channel Switching Feels Slow (Real Causes Explained)

Before diving into fixes, it helps to understand what slows zapping down. The most common causes are:

• your decoder selecting the wrong playback mode

• playlist/EPG size

• device performance limits

• buffering settings set too high

• slow DNS resolution

• the stream source needing time to “handshake”

With the right setup, channels can switch in under a second in TiviMate on a decent device.

Device Performance Matters More Than Anything

Some devices simply load streams faster.

Here’s a real-world performance comparison for IPTV zapping:

If your device is weak, the fixes below will help — but you’ll never hit Shield/ONN-level switching on low-end hardware.

Turn Off the Black Screen Between Channels (TiviMate)

If TiviMate flashes black between channels, it often makes switching feel slower than it is.

Fix:

• TiviMate → Settings → Playback

• Turn OFF Show black screen on channel change

This can make channel changes feel much smoother immediately.

The Decoder You Choose Has a Massive Impact

The wrong decoder can increase delay, especially on sports or higher bitrate channels.

TiviMate decoder settings to test (in order):

• Auto (often best for ONN / Shield)

• Hardware

• Hardware+

• Software (only if others misbehave)

Path:

• TiviMate → Settings → Playback → Decoder

Test each mode on the same group of channels and measure the switching speed.

Reduce EPG Load Size (This Helps a Lot)

Large EPG files slow down the app overall, including:

• channel loading

• category switching

• EPG preview

• zapping during sports

Fix:

• TiviMate → Settings → EPG

• Reduce guide storage to 1–2 days instead of 7–14

Less EPG data = less memory and database work = faster UI and switching.

Lower the Buffer Time

Buffer time controls how much data must load before video starts.

• Too high = slower switching

• Too low = more chance of stutter on weak connections

Try these values:

• Low / 1s — fastest

• Medium / 2–3s — balanced

• Avoid High / 5s+ if you want quick zapping

Path (varies slightly by build):

• TiviMate → Settings → Playback → Buffer size

Disable Frame-Rate Matching for Live TV (If Your Box Struggles)

Frame-rate matching is great for films, but it adds delay when zapping live TV (switching 24/50/60fps).

Fix (device level):

• Device Settings → Display → Match frame rate

• Turn OFF for live TV use

This can shave a noticeable fraction of a second off each switch.

Use Ethernet if Possible

Wi-Fi can be “fast” but inconsistent. Even tiny drops create switching lag.

Ethernet usually gives:

• quicker handshake

• fewer micro-stalls

• faster and more consistent switching

A cheap USB-Ethernet adapter can make a bigger difference than most in-app tweaks.

Clear Playlist Categories You Don’t Use

If your playlist includes:

• huge multi-country lists

• duplicate groups

• massive VOD sections

…TiviMate has more database work to do, and everything slows down.

Best fix: use a Lite / trimmed playlist version if your provider offers it, or remove sections you don’t use (Live-only, fewer regions, no VOD).

Use a Faster DNS Provider

Slow DNS can add delay to the initial handshake on streams and icons.

Use:

• 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

• 8.8.8.8 (Google)

Apply at router level if possible for best results.

Best Settings Summary Table

FAQ

Why is channel switching slower during sports?

Sports feeds are often higher bitrate and can require a longer handshake.

Does using a VPN slow down zapping?

It can, if the VPN server is congested or far away.

Is Firestick slow for switching?

It can be, especially when it heats up or is low on storage.

Do ONN/Shield devices switch faster?

Yes — they’re among the best devices for fast, smooth zapping.

Summary

Fast channel switching in TiviMate depends on:

• decoder choice

• buffer settings

• device performance

• playlist/EPG size

• DNS and connection stability

With the right setup, TiviMate can switch channels almost instantly — even during live sports.