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all about IPTV
By now, you've no doubt heard the term 'IPTV' bandied about by nerd-types. IPTV stands for 'Internet Protocol Television' - you guessed it: TV delivered via a broadband connection.
This article will take you through the bare essentials of IPTV - what it is, how it works and what it adds to our experience of TV entertainment.
so what exactly is IPTV?
Acronyms aside, IPTV means that, instead of receiving TV channels through a satellite dish or cable TV unit, you get the same quality viewing delivered through your broadband connection via a set-top-box (STB).
A set-top-box is a mini-computer specifically designed to receive a digital television signal (actually, STBs do much more these days, but we'll get into that later). Unlike TV aerials, cables and dishes, set-top-boxes don't require special installation, so they work in apartments and units as well as houses, and can be shifted easily when moving house.
Many modern STBs can do more than just receive TV signals, and may also feature personal video recorders, web browsers, games, chat tools and other useful applications.
how does IPTV work?
IPTV data flows through the reserved portion of the pipe.
Think of your broadband connection like a large pipe, with internet streaming through it - like water to your house - from your local phone exchange. The IPTV video stream is transmitted through a part of that pipe that's reserved for a video stream.
This is often referred to as 'quality of service' as it enables IPTV service providers to cater for a specific standard, ensuring you get smooth TV-quality video with no interference from normal internet browsing. In turn, it doesn't interfere with normal internet use either.
what does a set-top-box (STB) do?
An IPTV set-top-box sits between your broadband modem and television. Its primary purpose is to receive the digital IPTV signals for both streaming (watch it while it's being broadcast) and 'on demand' (watch it when you choose) video content.
Many modern STBs come with a variety of extra features, ranging from obvious TV tools like personal video recorders (PVR), to smart lifestyle widgets like web browsers, games and household applications.
A typical set-top-box. Many modern STBs come with smart extra features.
how does Video on Demand work?
A set-top-box can download whole movies and TV shows through the part of your internet pipe reserved for an IPTV stream. Once the download is complete, it then appears in the box's list of available content. This is known as on command or on demand video.
As the video content has been downloaded in full and is stored on the box's hard drive, the viewing experience is similar to watching a DVD or blue-ray disc; with no random pauses, jerky motion or choppy sound.
On demand downloads usually have an expiry date. STBs that support on demand features are programmed to automatically remove expired videos to make way for new TV shows and movies.
what is pay per view?
'On demand' and 'pay per view' content is downloaded in full to the set-top-box, so the viewing experience is smooth, much like watching a DVD.
"Pay per view" is another term of the moment; this is the IPTV equivalent of video rental - rather than pay full price for a DVD you might only watch once, you pay a cheaper price each time you watch. Pay per view works in the same way as on demand content, with the high-quality standard- or high-definition video downloaded to your box before viewing.
want to try IPTV?
iiNet has an IPTV service called fetchtv, offering big name channels, specialty channels, video on command, pay per view and a feature-packed set-top-box - all included in the basic subscription. Best of all, fetchtv doesn't count towards your monthly quota.
