IPTV defined
IPTV can be referred to as a delivery of television content. It delivers TV content over internet protocol (IP) networks. IPTV streaming allows users to stream media source continuously. This is quite different form downloaded media. It bears a sharp contrast to the delivery system of satellite, terrestrial and cable TV formats. IPTV is not limited to TV streamed content. It is vastly used in telecommunication networks dependent on subscribers. It can also be found in corporate and private network’s media delivery.
IPTV can be defined as “the secure and reliable delivery to subscribers of entertainment video and related services. These subscribers may include, for example, live TV, Video on Demand (VOD) and interactive TV (iTV). These services are delivered across an access agnostic, packet switched networks that employs the IP protocol to transport the audio, video and control signals. In contrast to video over the public interact with IPTV deployments, network security and performance tightly managed to ensure a superior entertainment experience, resulting in a compelling business environment for content providers, advertisers and customers alike.” This definition was proposed by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) in 2005. ATIS is IPTV Exploratory Group.
Categories
Its services can be categorized into
- Time shifting of Media
Examples of this category include catch up TV and start over TV. The former replays shows on television that was displayed hours or days ago while the latter replays current shows on television from its beginning.
- Video on Demand
This category involves browsing and watching content of a media catalogue.
- Live TV and live media
This category might and might not include related interactivity.
Service
Residential bundling of IPTVmostly involves an inclusion of Video on Demand as well as internet services such as Voice over Internet (VoIP) and internet access telecommunications services. For commercial users, a triple play service might be invoiced. This includes the bundling of IPTV, Voice over Internet (VoIP) and internet access. On occasions when these three services are combined with cellular service, a quadruple play is formed.
Regulation of IPTV
Right from time, broadcast television has been controlled and maintained in quite a different way from telecommunications. With the transmission of TV and VoDover IP networks, different issues on regulation arise.
Take away
IPTV is basically the delivery of television content over IP networks. There are different definitions of IPTV and these definitions are all based on the different categories IPTV can be applied.
Its services are categorized into live TV and live media; video on demand; and time shifting of media (catch up TV and start over TV).
IPTV services can be bundled for both residential and commercial use. For residential use, it combines with internet services and video on demand while for commercial use, it combines with voice over internet, internet access and cellular service.
The commercial combination without the cellular service is termed as the triple play service while the inclusion of cellular service forms a quadruple play service.
