IPTV (Internet Protocol television)

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IPTV (Internet Protocol television)

What is IPTV (Internet Protocol television)?

Instead of using broadcast TV, cable TV, or satellite signals, IPTV (Internet Protocol television) uses the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite to deliver television programming and other visual material.

A service provider will often offer an IPTV service that transmits live TV or on-demand video content through IP networks.

It is possible to use an IPTV system to deliver video content through a private network in an organization, but due to complexity, network latency, and scaling concerns, such implementations are much less prevalent than subscriber-based models.

How does Internet Protocol television work?

A managed or dedicated network, such DSL connectivity, is frequently used to deliver IPTV content. A private network allows network operators more control over the video traffic than the public internet does, enabling them to guarantee service quality, uptime, capacity, and dependability.

All programs is aired concurrently in a multicast fashion in traditional television delivery. By switching the TV channel, viewers choose programs from the available program signals as they flow downstream.

In contrast, an IPTV service uses a unicast format and only transmits one show at a time. Only the program the end user chooses is transferred to the user’s device; all other content stays on the internet service provider’s network.

When a viewer changes the channel, a new stream is transmitted from the provider’s server directly to the viewer. Like cable television, IPTV requires a set-top box or other customer premises devices, such as a Wi-Fi router or a fiber optic or broadband internet connection.

IPTV primarily uses IP multicasting with Internet Group Management Protocol for IPv4-based live television broadcasts and Real-Time Streaming Protocol for on-demand programs. Multicast Listener Discovery is used on IPv6 networks. Other common protocols include Real-Time Messaging Protocol and Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

What are IPTV use cases?

Because IPTV uses a packet-based delivery system, it can be bundled with other IP-based telecommunication services, such as voice over IP and high-speed internet.

The use of IP also enables providers to support various other services and applications, such as video on demand, interactive TV, livestreaming, in-program messaging and time shifting, a broad term for TV services that enable viewers to consume content in ways other than live broadcasts, e.g., digital recording, on-demand television shows and the ability to rewind or restart a live program already in progress.

IPTV competes with another delivery model known as internet TV, which refers to television content distributed through a website via a broadband connection.

IPTV providers

IPTV providers include a wide range of companies from large network operators, like Verizon with its FiOS video services, and major companies, such as Netflix, Google, Apple and Microsoft, to Sony, which also offers video streaming services via smart TV sets and internet-enabled devices, and AT&T. Additional examples of major IPTV providers include Roku, Hulu and YouTube. Some other popular IPTV services include Amazing TV, FalconTV, SelectTV, Best Cast TV, Comstar.tv and Xtreme HD IPTV.

Providers of IPTV also include a wide variety of smaller or niche companies sometimes specializing in certain types of content delivered over a broadband IP connection. Here’s a sampling of some additional ITPV offerings: