If you are not a part of the digital world, it is likely that you did not hear about IPTV. However, you have probably been using it for several years now and it is possible that you will be using it more in the future. But, what exactly is IPTV? What does it stand for? How does it work and how can it improve your watching experience? Well, in this article, you will be able to read about what IPTV is, how it works, and its services. Let’s take a look:
Table of Contents
What is IPTV?
Internet Protocol Television or for short, IPTV delivers your TV programs by using the Internet. The “IP” is the same as your IP address or VoIP. To understand how it works, you first need to learn how non-IPTV works. With satellite or cable TV, broadcasters send signals and viewers receive the signals, hence, you can only watch what is being broadcasted at the moment. However, IPTV is different. Instead of receiving light pulses from a fiber-optic cable or radio waves from a satellite, IPTV sends it through your Internet connection. If you have used streaming services such as Hulu or Netflix, it is the same principle, but with television, instead of a platform.
Do You Need a Set-Top for IPTV?
According to the experts from iptvpoint.com, most TVs are not equipped for IPTV, so you might need a set-top box that will be able to receive programs over your Internet connection into a format that your television can read.
How Does IPTV Work?
There are three different formats:
- Video on Demand – VOD
As the name states, you will get video whenever you demand it. There is no time limit on what you can watch. You will simply need to tell the service what you want, they will send it by the Internet, and you are good to go. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu are the most used examples of VOD services.
- Time-shifted Media
If you ever used “catch-up TV”, you are already familiar with this category of IPTV. Most broadcast networks allow users to watch shows or movies that they missed. There is one difference between VOD and time-shifted media – the content has a limited life shelf. You can go back, and watch an episode or movie that you missed.
- Live IPTV
Like broadcast television, you are also able to watch shows live on IPTV. Most people watch sporting events and it is easy to stream a game on your smartphone when you cannot watch it at home. Other than being broadcast via the Internet, live IPTV is pretty much regular TV.
IPTV Services
While IPTV is becoming increasingly popular, it is still a niche market. Services like Hulu and Netflix offer a wide range of movies and TV dramas, and VOD is growing quickly. Also, more and more people are using catch-up TV. Downloading applications for providers like CBS, NBC, and FOX, let viewers enjoy their favorite shows. There are also a lot of services appearing that allow users to create their own VOD services. Hence, people can share their advice, skills, and passions with everyone in the world.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are various interesting things about IPTV. It has various features that allow you to enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, and sporting events whenever you want.
