This article is about Internet Protocol Television.

For public television broadcasting in Iowa,

see Iowa Public Television.

Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a system through which Internet television services are
delivered using the architecture and networking methods of the Internet Protocol Suite over a
packet-switched network infrastructure, e.g., the Internet and broadband Internet access
networks, instead of being delivered through traditional radio frequency broadcast, satellite
signal, and cable television (CATV) formats.

IPTV services may be classified into three main groups:

• live television, with or without interactivity related to the current TV show;

• time-shifted programming: catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours
or days ago), start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning);
• video on demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TV programming.

IPTV is distinguished from general Internet-based or web-based multimedia services by its on-
going standardization process (e.g., European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and
preferential deployment scenarios in subscriber-based telecommunications networks with high-
speed access channels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or other customer-premises
equipment.

Historically, many different definitions of IPTV have appeared, including elementary streams
over IP networks, transport streams over IP networks and a number of proprietary systems.

The official definition approved by the International Telecommunication Union focus group on
IPTV (ITU-T FG IPTV) is as follows:

"IPTV is defined as multimedia services such as television/video/audio/text/graphics/data

delivered over IP based networks managed to provide the required level of quality of service
and experience, security, interactivity and reliability." [1]

Another official and more detailed definition of IPTV is the one given by Alliance for
Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) IPTV Exploratory Group on 2005:

"IPTV is defined as the secure and reliable delivery to subscribers of entertainment video and
related services. These services may include, for example, Live TV, Video On Demand (VOD)
and Interactive TV (iTV). These services are delivered across an access agnostic, packet
switched network that employs the IP protocol to transport the audio, video and control
signals. In contrast to video over the public Internet, with IPTV deployments, network security
and performance are tightly managed to ensure a superior entertainment experience, resulting
in a compelling business environment for content providers, advertisers and customers
alike."[2]

One definition for consumer IPTV is for single or multiple program transport streams (MPTS)
which are sourced by the same network operator that owns or directly controls the "last mile"
to the consumer's premises[citation needed]. This control over delivery enables a guaranteed quality
of service (QoS), and also allows the service provider to offer an enhanced user experience
such as better program guide, interactive services etc.

In commercial environments IPTV is widely deployed for distribution of live TV, video
playout channels and Video on Demand (VOD) material across LAN or WAN IP network
infrastructures, with a controlled QoS.

History:

The term IPTV first appeared in 1995 with the founding of Precept Software by Judith Estrin
and Bill Carrico. Precept designed and built an Internet video product named IP/TV. IP/TV was
an MBONE compatible Windows and Unix-based application that moved single and multi-
source audio/video traffic, ranging from low to DVD quality, using both unicast and IP
multicast Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and Real time control protocol (RTCP). The
software was written primarily by Steve Casner, Karl Auerbach, and Cha Chee Kuan. Precept
was acquired by Cisco Systems in 1998.[4] Cisco retains the IP/TV trademark.

Internet radio company AudioNet started the first continuous live webcasts with content from
WFAA-TV in January, 1998 and KCTU-LP on January 10, 1998.[5]

Kingston Communications, a regional telecommunications operator in UK, launched KIT

(Kingston Interactive Television), an IPTV over DSL broadband interactive TV service in
September 1999 after conducting various TV and VoD trials. The operator added additional
VoD service in October 2001 with Yes TV, a VoD content provider. Kingston was one of the
first companies in the world to introduce IPTV and IP VoD over ADSL. [6] In 2006 the KIT
service was shuttered, subscribers having declined from a peak of 10,000 to 4,000[7]

In 1999, NBTel (now known as Bell Aliant) was the first to commercially deploy Internet
Protocol Television over digital subscriber line (DSL) in Canada[8][9] using the Alcatel 7350
DSLAM and middleware created by iMagic TV (owned by NBTel's parent company
Bruncor[10]). The service was marketed under the brand VibeVision in New Brunswick, and
later expanded into Nova Scotia in early 2000[11] after the formation of Aliant. iMagic TV was
later sold to Alcatel.[12]

In 2002, Sasktel was the second in Canada to commercially deploy Internet Protocol (IP) video
over digital subscriber line (DSL), using the Lucent Stinger(R) DSL platform.[13] In 2006, it
was the first North American company to offer HDTV channels over an IPTV service[14]

In 2003, Total Access Networks Inc launched its IPTV service, comprising of 100 free IPTV
stations world wide. The service has been used in over 100 countries world wide, and has
channels in 26 languages.[citation needed]
In 2005, Bredbandsbolaget launched its IPTV service as the first service provider in Sweden.
As of January 2009, they are not the biggest supplier any longer; TeliaSonera who launched
their service later has now more customers.[15]

In 2006, AT&T launched its U-Verse IPTV service in the United States, comprising a national
head end and regional video-serving offices. AT&T offered over 300 channels in 11 cities with
more to be added in 2007 and beyond. In March 2009, AT&T announced that U-verse had
expanded to 100 or more High Definition channels in every U-Verse TV market.[16] While
using IP protocols, AT&T has built a private IP network exclusively for video transport.

In 2010, CenturyLink - after acquiring Embarq (2009) and Qwest (2010), entered five U.S.
markets with an IPTV service called Prism.[17] This was after successful test marketing in
Florida.

Future

In the past, this technology has been restricted by low broadband penetration and by the
relatively high cost of installing wiring capable of transporting IPTV content reliably in the
customer's home. In the coming years, however, residential IPTV is expected to grow at a brisk
pace as broadband was available to more than 200 million households worldwide in the year
2005, projected to grow to 400 million by the year 2010.[18] Many of the world's major
telecommunications providers are exploring IPTV as a new revenue opportunity from their
existing markets and as a defensive measure against encroachment from more conventional
Cable Television services.

Also, there is a growing number of IPTV installations within schools, universities, corporations
and local institutions.[19]

In December 2009, the FCC began looking into using set-top boxes to make TVs with cable or
similar services into broadband video players. FCC Media Bureau Chief Bill Lake had said
earlier that TV and the Internet would soon be the same, but only 75 percent of homes had
computers, while 99 percent had TV. A Nielsen survey said 99 percent of video viewing was
done on TV.[20]

How IPTV works:

Because IPTV uses standard networking protocols, it promises lower costs for operators and
lower prices for users. Using set-top-boxes with broadband Internet connections, video can be
streamed to households more efficiently than current coaxial cable. Home networks currently
use technology from the Multimedia over Coax Alliance, HomePlug Powerline Alliance or
Home Phoneline Networking Alliance to deliver IPTV content to any set-top-box in a home,
without having to install new Ethernet wires and without relying on technologies like 802.11,
which are not optimized for reliable delivery of video streams. ISPs are upgrading their
networks to bring higher speeds and to allow multiple High Definition TV channels.
IPTV uses a two-way digital broadcast signal sent through a switched telephone or cable
network by way of a broadband connection and a set-top-box programmed with software
(much like a cable or satellite TV box) that can handle viewer requests to access to many
available media sources.

Local IPTV, as used by businesses for audio visual AV distribution on their company networks
is typically based on a mixture of:

Architecture of IPTV

Elements

• TV Head-end: where live TV channels are encoded, encrypted and delivered in the
form of IP multicast streams.
• VOD platform: where on-demand video assets are stored and served when a user makes
a request in the form of IP unicast stream.
• Interactive portal: allows the user to navigate within the differents IPTV services, such
as the VOD catalog.
• delivery network: the packet switched network that carries IP packets (unicast and
multicast).
• home gateway: the piece of equipement at the user's home that terminates the access
link from the delivery network.
• user's set-top-box: the piece of equipment at the user's home that decodes and decrypt
TV and VOD content and displays it on the TV screen.

Protocols

IPTV covers both live TV (multicasting) as well as stored video (Video-on-Demand, or VoD).
The playback of IPTV requires either a personal computer or a set-top-box connected to a TV.
Video content is typically compressed using either a MPEG-2 or a MPEG-4 codec and then
sent in an MPEG transport stream delivered via IP Multicast in case of live TV or via IP
Unicast in case of video on demand. IP multicast is a method in which information can be sent
to multiple computers at the same time. H.264 (MPEG-4) codec is increasingly used to replace
the older MPEG-2 codec.

In standards-based IPTV systems, the primary underlying protocols used are:

• Live TV uses IGMP version 2 or IGMP version 3 for IPv4 for connecting to a multicast
stream (TV channel) and for changing from one multicast stream to another (TV
channel change).

• VOD is using the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).

• NPVR (network-based personal video recorder) is also using the Real Time Streaming
Protocol (RTSP).
Advantages

The IP-based platform offers significant advantages, including the ability to integrate television
with other IP-based services like high speed Internet access and VoIP.

A switched IP network also allows for the delivery of significantly more content and
functionality. In a typical TV or satellite network, using broadcast video technology, all the
content constantly flows downstream to each customer, and the customer switches the content
at the set-top box. The customer can select from as many choices as the telecomms, cable or
satellite company can stuff into the “pipe” flowing into the home. A switched IP network
works differently. Content remains in the network, and only the content the customer selects is
sent into the customer’s home. That frees up bandwidth, and the customer’s choice is less
restricted by the size of the “pipe” into the home. This also implies that the customer's privacy
could be compromised to a greater extent than is possible with traditional TV or satellite
networks. It may also provide a means to hack into, or at least disrupt (see Denial of Service)
the private network.

Limitations

IPTV is sensitive to packet loss and delays if the streamed data is unreliable. IPTV has strict
minimum speed requirements in order to facilitate the right number of frames per second to
deliver moving pictures. This means that the limited connection speed/bandwidth available for
a large IPTV customer base can reduce the service quality delivered.

Although a few countries have very high speed broadband-enabled populations, such as South
Korea with 6 million homes benefiting from a minimum connection speed of 100Mbit/s, in
other countries (such as the UK) legacy networks struggle to provide 3-5 Mbit/s[59] and so
simultaneous provision to the home of TV channels, VOIP and Internet access may not be
viable. The last mile delivery for IPTV usually has a bandwidth restriction that only allows a
small number of simultaneous TV channel streams – typically from one to three – to be
delivered.[60]

The same problem has also proved troublesome when attempting to stream IPTV across
wireless links within the home. Improvements in wireless technology are now starting to
provide equipment to solve the problem.[61]

Due to the limitations of wireless, most IPTV service providers today use wired home
networking technologies instead of wireless technologies like 802.11. Service Providers such
as AT&T (which makes extensive use of wireline home networking as part of its U-Verse
IPTV service) have expressed support for the work done in this direction by ITU-T, which has
adopted Recommendation G.hn (also known as G.9960), which is a next generation home
networking standard that specifies a common PHY/MAC that can operate over any home
wiring (power lines, phone lines or coaxial cables).[62][63]
The computer has invaded almost all sectors of our lives. No place or situation today is
bereft of the use of computers. The computer technology invaded the idiot box in our
living room some time ago with ‘digitalization’ in the form of direct-to-home (DTH) high
quality digital pictures. Now, another computer technology has affected the idiot box in a
new way. This technology proposes the discarding of antennas, cable TV wires, and the
DTH set top box to bring to you television viewing through the internet.

This technology is known as the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology. IPTV
delivers digital television service through a system that delivers broadband connection to
our homes.

All channels being broadcast are encoded in a format defined by Internet Protocol (IP).
This code is then delivered to television sets through a device that decodes the earlier
encoding. The transfer of information happens on a network. The device that decodes and
delivers the final transmission of channels is smarter than the regular set top box.

Advantages of IPTV

* It is possible to pause a live transmission through IPTV. The viewer will no longer miss
any part of his/her programme if he/she has to attend to urgent work.

* IPTV lets you record your favourite programmes so that you can watch them at a time
convenient to you. Furthermore, you can record multiple programmes at the same time
through IPTV.

* IPTV ensures high quality of sound and picture, almost like when a DVD is played.

* All the channels that are live and are being broadcast can be availed through IPTV.
Thus, a viewer does not miss out on any of his favourite shows that run on ‘rarely
available’ channels.

* IPTV is not affected by changes in the weather unlike cable TV and DTH service. Apart
from being a high quality service, IPTV gains a brownie point for providing uninterrupted
transmission during bad weather.

Drawback with IPTV

A high speed is set as the minimum for smooth transmission. On a slow network, there
could be delays or packet loss at times leading to problems in the transmission.

Future of IPTV

IPTV seems to have a bright future what with convergence playing on people’s minds. The
telephone, the computer, and the TV can be run by the same company through the same
network, thereby saving consumers a lot of hassle. However, it is also argue that only
technology-savvy people will be interested in a convergence or the benefits of IPTV.

While it is somewhat correct that computer-savvy people will be more likely to opt for
IPTV, proper marketing and making the potential customer aware of IPTV’s benefits will
make people interested in the new technology. Earlier it has been seen that proper market
and clear communication have been able to build a good consumer base of the DTH
service.

IPTV is yet to pick up in India. However, if the IPTV companies can prove to their potential
customers that IPTV is more advantageous than the cable service or the now popular DTH
service, IPTV is likely to become a huge hit in the country.

Description
WORLD’S LARGEST IP TELEVISION DICTIONARY

Althos Publishing announces IP TV Dictionary, The Leading IP Television Resource. IP

Television Dictionary provides definitions and illustrations covering the latest video over data
and Internet television technologies and provides the understanding needed to provide IP video
services.

Many changes continue to occur in video and data networks and this book is the perfect
solution for those involved or interested in the operation of television networks and service
providers. This reference book explains the latest television technologies, assists with the
explanation of technologies by using many diagrams and pictures. It is a great reference tool
that allows people to effectively communicate with other people involved in the IP Television
industry.

The convergence of technologies and systems means more competitors and new industry
terms. As a result, communicating with others has become an alphabet soup of acronyms and
technical terms. IP TV Dictionary solves this challenge by providing definitions of the latest
technical terms and acronyms along with self-explanatory diagrams.

This reference includes:

· Over 10,000 of the latest IP TV, IP Video, and broadband datacom definitions
· Contains 4,000+ of the latest industry terms and acronyms
· Has 400+ diagrams and photos to help explain complex definitions
· Includes directories of magazines, associations and ITVSPs

To ensure this dictionary contains the latest definitions, 12 experts were used from different
sectors of the IP Television industry to add and edit definitions. Many of the definitions were
created using our technical books that have been edited by hundreds of industry reviewers.
Diagrams and pictures in the dictionary assist the understanding of technical terms by
providing functional and operational views.

Internet Television Service Provider (ITVSP)

This figure shows that ITVSPs are primarily made of computers that are connected to the
Internet and software to operate IP television and other services. In this diagram, a computer
keeps track of which customers are active (registration) and what features and services are
authorized. When call requests are processed, the ITVSP sends messages to gateways via the
Internet allowing television channel to be connected to IP televisions, analog television
adapters (ATVA), or multimedia computers that are connected to a high speed data network
(broadband Internet). These gateways transfer their billing details to a clearinghouse so the
ITVSP can pay for the gateway's usage. The ITVSP then can use this billing information to
charge the customer for access to television programs and other media sources.

IP Video to Multiple Users

This figure shows how much data transfer rate it can take to provide for multiple IP television
users in a single building. This diagram shows 3 IP televisions that require 1.8 Mbps to 3.8
Mbps to receive an IP television channel. This means the broadband modem must be capable
of providing 5.4 Mbps to 11.4 Mbps to allow up to 3 IP televisions to operate in the same home
or building.

Table of Contents
What is Internet and IP Television?
Why Consider IPTV and Internet Television Services
-More Channels
-More Control
-More Services
Viewing IP Television Channels
-Multimedia Computer
-Analog Television Adapters (ATVA)
-IP Television (IP Television)
-Mobile Telephone Television
-Control over IP Television Services
-Instant Activation
-Real Time Accounting and Billing
-Channel Selection
New Television Features and Services
-Anywhere Television Service
-Global Television Channels
-Personal Media Channels (PMC)
-Addressable Advertising
-Television on Demand (ToD)
How IPTV and Internet Television Systems Work
-Digitization - Converting Video Signals and Audio Signals to
-Digital Media Compression – Gaining Efficiency
-Sending Packets
Packet Routing Methods
Packet Losses and Effects on Television Quality
Packet Buffering
-Converting Packets to Television Service
Gateways Connect the Internet to Standard Televisions
-Managing the Television Connections
Downloading
Streaming
Switching (Connecting) Media Channels
-Multiple IP Televisions per Home
-Digital Rights Management (DRM)
-Transmission
Unicast
Multicast
IP Television Systems - Control of Service
-Managed IP Television Systems
-Internet Television Service Providers (ITVSPs)
-Private IP Television Systems
IP Television (IPTV) Networks
-Servers
Video Servers
Proxy Servers
Remote Access Dial-In User Server (RADIUS)
Registrar Servers (RAS)
Provisioning Servers
Billing Record Servers
Policy Server
Domain Name Server (DNS)
Web Server
-Gateways
Media Gateways
Signaling Gateways (SG)
Broadband Access Systems for IP Television
-Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
-Cable Modem
-Wireless Broadband
-Power Line Carrier
-Network Capacity
Television Quality, Security, and Reliability
-Audio Quality
-Video Quality
-Reliability
Access Device Reliability
Data Network Reliability
Data Connection Reliability
ITVSP Server Reliability
Feature Operation Reliability
Premises Distribution
-Wired LAN
-Telephone Wiring Premises Distribution
-Coaxial Cable Premises Distribution
-Wireless LAN Premises Distribution
-Power Line Wiring Premises Distribution
IP Television Challenges
-Content Distribution Rights
-Data Transfer Rate Capability
-Media Player Compatibility
-Channel Changing Time
-Industry Standards
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
IGMP

Internet Television Service Provider Costs

-Content Licensing

IP TV Video System

This figure shows how a basic IP television system can be used to allow a viewer to have
access to many different media sources. This diagram shows how a standard television is
connected to a set top box (STB) that converts IP video into standard television signals. The
STB is the gateway to a IP video switching system. This example shows that the switched
video service (SVS) system allows the user to connect to various types of television media
sources including broadcast network channels, subscription services, and movies on demand.
When the user desires to access these media sources, the control commands (usually entered by
the user by a television remote control) are sent to the SVS and the SVS determines which
media source the user desires to connect to. This diagram shows that the user only needs one
video channel to the SVS to have access to virtually an unlimited number of video sources.
IP TV Program Distribution

This figure shows how an IP television system can distribute information through a switched
telephone network. This example shows that end users who are watching a movie that is
initially supplied by media center that is located some distance and several switches away from
end users (movie watchers). When the first movie watcher requests the movie, it is requested
from the telephone end office. The telephone end office determines that the movie is not
available in its video storage system and the end office switch requests the movie from the
interconnection switch. The interconnection switch also determines the movie is not available
in its video storage system and the movie is requested from the distant media source. When the
movie is transferred from the media center to the end customer, the interconnecting switches
may make a copy for future distribution to other users. This program distribution process
reduces the interconnection requirements between the switching distribution systems.
DSL Serving Prep for IP TV

This figure shows how the number of simultaneous IP television users per household
geographic serving area can vary based on the data transmission capability of the service
provider. This example shows that each single IP television user typically requires 3 to 4 Mbps
of data transfer. For a telephone system operator that uses distance sensitive DSL service, this
example shows that the service provided will be limited to providing service to a single IP
television when the data transfer rates are limited to 3-4 Mbps. When the data transfer rate is
above 5-7 Mbps, up to 2 IP televisions can be simultaneously used and when the data
transmission is between 10 to 14 Mbps, up to 3 IP televisions can be simultaneously used.
 Television Video Operation

This figure demonstrates the operation of the basic NTSC analog television system. The video
source is broken into 30 frames per second and converted into multiple lines per frame. Each
video line transmission begins with a burst pulse (called a sync pulse) that is followed by a
signal that represents color and intensity. The time relative to the starting sync is the position
on the line from left to right. Each line is sent until a frame is complete and the next frame can
begin. The television receiver decodes the video signal to position and control the intensity of
an electronic beam that scans the phosphorus tube ("picture tube") to recreate the display.

What is IPTV
IPTV is Internet Protocol TV which means television services over the Internet or Internet Protocol. Many people

are confused with Internet TV with IPTV. Internet TV is where movie is played all ready stored in the server. You

would have seen bit torrent, online movies these are internet TV where as IPTV is the real television streamed

through internet rather than through cable. This delivery of digital television is made possible by using IP over

broadband connection. IPTV contain the Data, Audio and Video which is also called Triple Play.

To understand how IPTV changes the business of television we need to first discuss the current business of

television. The television service industry can be divided roughly into content owners and creators, content

distributors, and advertisers. The owners and creators are the major networks (ABC, CBS, and so on), the cable

networks (CNN, HBO, and so on), and the movie studios (otherwise known collectively asHollywood). In general,

the content owners do not sell their content directly to consumers. Instead, the content is aggregated, packaged
and sold to consumers via content distributors or multichannel video program distribution (MVPD) services. Today

these are primarily the local TV broadcast stations (who may be owned by the major networks), cable operators

(who may own cable networks), and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators, namely DirecTV and EchoStar in

North America.