IPTV - Can it Live Up To the Hype?

By: JJK Click author's name for more of his/her articles

An Overview of IPTV Technology
What is IPTV?
The letters IPTV stand for internet protocol television, which is a means of transporting data information and Audio and Video (AV), across an IP based digital network. This could include WAN, Ethernet LAN or internet. Once you add set top boxes (STB), AV sources have the ability to be streamed across existing networks to PCs or TVs. IPTV can be one to one (Unicast) or one to many (Multicast).
The most effective form of transmission is offered by Multicast streams as it's possible for the bandwidth to be shared amongst all of the users wanting to view that particular stream. No matter how many viewers (providing the network is correctly configured), a 4Mbs stream for example, will only use that amount of bandwidth. No bandwidth is consumed if the channel is not being viewed.
Unicast transmissions are usually used for two-way transmissions - for example Video On Demand (VOD), only the person who has ordered the content receives it with this system. Some control can also take place such as pause, play, rewind, fast forward etc. Unicast can also be used for linking buildings via a WAN for cameras, TV channels etc. The negative effect of unicast on the system is bandwidth, as each viewer uses their own amount. 100 users all viewing 4Mbs of VOD will use 400Mbs of the network's bandwidth.
IPTV - The Advantages
There are many advantages over RF coaxial based transmissions. AV streams can simply be inserted into an existing network and viewed with no addition to the existing infrastructure. Channels can be grouped and controlled to suit your own preference. STBs can be controlled across the network or internet VOD servers. Local content, sport and films can be added for revenue stream in say a hotel, or offered free to a student campus. Streams can be viewed and recorded onto PCs without the need for TV capture cards and extra cabling. This is useful for news agencies, businesses, banks, etc.
Digital IP based networks are virtually immune to ghosting, noise, harmonics, cross modulation, reflections etc - problems that are often seen in analogue systems. Some of these problems have been resolved using digital transmission across the coaxial networks, however, some of the above still cause problems.
So to summarise, the picture quality of a correctly installed IPTV system is superior to almost all other means of transmission.

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About The Author: John Key runs Keydigital Productions and utilises IPTV Technology from TV Over LAN in his business.