IPTV

In traditional television delivery, all programming is broadcast simultaneously. The available program signals flow downstream and the viewer selects which program he wants to watch by changing the channel.

IPTV, by contrast, sends only one program at a time. Content remains on the service provider's network and only the program the customer selects is sent to the home. When a viewer changes the channel, a new stream is transmitted from the provider's server directly to the viewer. Like cable TV, IPTV requires a set-top box.

IPTV primarily uses multicasting with Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) version 2 for live television broadcasts and Real Time Streaming Protocol for on-demand programs. Compatible video compression standards include H.264, Windows Media Video 9 and VC1, DivX, XviD, Ogg Theora and the MPEG-2 and -4.

IPTV competes with another delivery model known, somewhat confusingly, as iTV (Internet TV). In the iTV delivery model, content is typically distributed through a website.

Getting started with IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

To explore how IPTV is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources:

Defining IPTV to clarify your video planning: IPTV has become a catch-all for TV and video content delivered by a service provider, even though IP isn't always used. A clear definition will help plan bandwidth use.

Planning an IPTV strategy: Video delivered over IP networks in all of its flavors is a huge opportunity as well as a challenge facing telecom service providers. Technology, provider demographics and content must be aligned.

Learn more about Next-Gen Content Delivery and Video

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know. Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

More resources from around the web: - This free chapter download offers a crash course in IPTV. - Nate Anderson provides "An introduction to IPTV." - 'The real meaning of IPTV' offers insight into the business side of IPTV. - This Eurocomms.com article predicts battles ahead between IPTV and iTV.

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