by Jason Smythe

Is IPTV the technology of the future or is it all just hype?

Check out these 10 facts and advantages about IPTV technology and decide whether or not you want to join the IPTV revolution.

1. Internet protocol television or IPTV, is an increasingly popular technology for the transportation of data information and Audio and Video (AV), across an IP based digital network. This could include Ethernet, WAN, LAN or internet. Add a set top box (STB) to the equation and AV sources can be streamed across existing networks to PCs or TVs. IPTV can be one to one (Unicast) or one to many (Multicast).

2. Latest research figures show that at present 15.5 million people subscribe to IPTV services - 8.4 million of these subscribers are from Europe.

3. Crucially IPTV systems avoidinterruptionof critical networks by utilising a separate video LAN.

4. IPTV requires broadband Internet connectivity due to the high bandwidth requirements of digital video. Far more control over television programming and the ability to customize it to individual user preferences are possible due to the improved performance that high speed internet allows.

5. Allfree-viewchannels are delivered without SAT or Terrestrial receivers.

6. Local content, films and sport can be added for additional revenue in hotels, or offered free to a student campus.

7. It is predicted that there will be around 12.7 million IPTV users in the US by 2012, compared to the current 3.3 million subscribers,

8. AV sources are able to be successfully streamed across existing networks to TVs or PCs, though require the addition of set top boxes (STB).

9. Problems that are common in analogue systems such as noise, ghosting, harmonics, reflections, cross modulation etc, are practically invisible in IPTV based networks.

10. All programs can be later retrieved from the IPTV network IPTV due to its storage facility.

A Novel Use of IPTV Technology

A classic example of how IPTV technology is being used in an increasingly ingenious number of ways, is with a luxurious, IP enabled bathroom television. These televisions are the ultimate in bathroom luxury, allowing the viewer safely to watch TV whilst soaking in a bath full of bubbles, or even taking a shower.

These waterproof TVs offer a first class solution to hotels across the world who are embracing IPTV technology with the installation of digital IPTV networks across their properties. Hiding an STB in the void behind the bathroom or shower wall and running a separate IR receiver will no longer be required, but instead simply feeding an Ethernet cable into the back of the screen to deliver TV, Radio, VOD and other services will be all that is needed.

Now that’s luxury!

About the Author:
For more information on IPTV visit tvoverlan.com, and for a look at that luxurious waterproof television visit Videotree.

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Filed under: Broadband

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