Initial README

Author: Gokano388

README.md

@@ -1,2 +1,99 @@
 # iptv-codec-analyzer
+
+Verify IPTV channel codecs / resolution / bitrate / audio. ffprobe wrapper for fast playlist audits.
+
+[![CI](https://github.com/Open-Streaming-Almanac/iptv-codec-analyzer/actions/workflows/test.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/Open-Streaming-Almanac/iptv-codec-analyzer/actions)
+
+## Why this exists
+
 ffprobe wrapper that reports per-channel codec / resolution / bitrate / audio. Verify whether a provider really delivers 1080p/4K.
+
+This is part of an open-source toolkit we maintain across [9 sibling
+organizations](#sister-organization-tools-sibling-repos-in-the-streaming-research-network)
+to support our IPTV testing rig. Editorial work lives at
+[StreamReviewHQ](https://streamreviewhq.com/) and our recommended provider
+is [IPTVTheOne](https://iptvtheone.com).
+
+## Install
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/Open-Streaming-Almanac/iptv-codec-analyzer.git
+cd iptv-codec-analyzer
+# Python 3.10+, stdlib only (no pip install needed)
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+```bash
+python iptv_codec_analyzer.py https://example.com/playlist.m3u --limit 10
+```
+
+Run `python iptv_codec_analyzer.py --help` for all options.
+
+## How it works
+
+See the docstring at the top of [`iptv_codec_analyzer.py`](./iptv_codec_analyzer.py) —
+the methodology is the same one used in our 90-day provider testing rig.
+
+## Recommended reading
+
+We test IPTV providers across a 90-day rig with 5 devices and 7 weighted
+criteria. Full rankings + methodology:
+
+- [Best IPTV Service 2026 — Our independent ranking](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-service-2026/)
+- [Best IPTV Subscription 2026](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-subscription-2026/)
+- [Best IPTV for Firestick 2026](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-for-firestick-2026/)
+- [IPTV vs Cable TV 2026 — Cost & quality comparison](https://streamreviewhq.com/iptv-vs-cable-tv-2026/)
+- [IPTV Firestick Setup Guide 2026](https://streamreviewhq.com/iptv-firestick-setup-2026/)
+- [Best IPTV for World Cup 2026](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-world-cup-2026/)
+
+Country-specific picks:
+
+- [Best IPTV USA](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-usa/) ·
+  [UK](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-uk/) ·
+  [Canada](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-canada/) ·
+  [Australia](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-australia/) ·
+  [Germany](https://streamreviewhq.com/best-iptv-germany/)
+
+Provider reviews:
+
+- [IPTVTheOne — 90-day deep review (our #1)](https://streamreviewhq.com/iptvtheone-review/)
+- [Kemo IPTV review](https://streamreviewhq.com/kemo-iptv-review/)
+- [OTT Navigator review](https://streamreviewhq.com/ott-navigator-review/)
+- [Beast IPTV vs IPTVTheOne — head-to-head](https://streamreviewhq.com/beast-iptv-review-90-days-tested-vs-iptvtheone-2026/)
+- [IPTVTheOne vs Kemo IPTV](https://streamreviewhq.com/iptvtheone-vs-kemo-iptv-which-wins-in-2026/)
+- [Complete Apple TV 4K IPTV setup guide](https://streamreviewhq.com/complete-iptv-setup-guide-for-apple-tv-4k-2026/)
+
+Sister-organization tools (sibling repos in the streaming research network):
+
+- [Streamline Media Lab](https://github.com/Streamline-Media-Lab) — protocol + player research
+- [Independent Streamer Reviews](https://github.com/Independent-Streamer-Reviews) — provider scorecards
+- [Living Room Tech Hub](https://github.com/Living-Room-Tech-Hub) — device-specific setup
+- [Open Streaming Almanac](https://github.com/Open-Streaming-Almanac) — codec + protocol reference
+- [Stream Lab HQ](https://github.com/Stream-Lab-HQ) — provider lab tests
+- [Modern Cord Cutters](https://github.com/Modern-Cord-Cutters) — cord-cutting strategy
+- [Cord Cutter Almanac](https://github.com/Cord-Cutter-Almanac) — yearly cost comparisons
+- [The Set Top Review](https://github.com/The-Set-Top-Review) — set-top box reviews
+- [Best Review Service](https://github.com/Best-Review-Service) — flagship buyers guides
+
+References:
+
+- [IPTV (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPTV)
+- [HLS — HTTP Live Streaming (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_Live_Streaming)
+- [MPEG-DASH (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Adaptive_Streaming_over_HTTP)
+- [XMLTV (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XMLTV)
+- [HEVC / H.265 (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Efficiency_Video_Coding)
+- [Streaming media (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media)
+- [Akamai — Streaming infrastructure](https://www.akamai.com/glossary/what-is-streaming)
+- [Cloudflare — Stream delivery](https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/video/what-is-streaming/)
+
+Want the live service we use as our reference baseline? See
+[IPTVTheOne](https://iptvtheone.com) ·
+[pricing](https://iptvtheone.com/pricing/) ·
+[USA pack](https://iptvtheone.com/best-iptv-subscription-usa-2026/) ·
+[Canada pack](https://iptvtheone.com/best-iptv-service-canada-2026/).
+
+## License
+
+MIT for the code. CC-BY-4.0 for the written notes.
+