Future Of IPTV In India

Future Of IPTV In India

Introduction Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a system through which digital television service is 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.

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."
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 (it). 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."

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. This control over delivery enables a guaranteed quality 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 payout channels and Video on Demand (VOD) material across LAN or WAN IP network infrastructures.

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) delivers television programming to households via a broadband connection using Internet protocols. It requires a subscription and IPTV set-top box, and offers key advantages over existing TV cable and satellite technologies. IPTV is typically bundled with other services like Video on Demand (VOD), voice over IP (VOIP) or digital phone, and Web access, collectively referred to as Triple Play.

Because IPTV arrives over telephone lines, telephone companies are in a prime position to offer IPTV services initially, but it is expected that other carriers will offer the technology in the future. IPTV promises more efficient streaming than present technologies, and therefore theoretically reduced prices to operators and subscribers alike. However, it also adds many advantages that may play into market pricing.

One of the advantages of IPTV is the ability for digital video recorders to record multiple broadcasts at once. According to Alcatel, one leading provider, it will also be easier to find favorite programs by using "custom view guides." IPTV even allows for picture-in-picture viewing without the need for multiple tuners. You can watch one show, while using picture-in-picture to channel surf!
IPTV viewers will have full control over functionality such as rewind, fast-forward, pause, and so on. Using a cell phone or PDA, a subscriber might even utilize remote programming for IPTV. For example, if a dinner function runs longer than expected; you don't have to miss your favorite program. Just call home and remotely set the IPTV box to record it.

However, the real advantage of IPTV is that it uses Internet protocols to provide two-way communication for interactive television. One application might be in game shows in which the studio audience is asked to participate by helping a contestant choose between answers. IPTV opens the door to real-time participation from people watching at home. Another application would be the ability to turn on multiple angles of an event, such as a touchdown, and watch it from dual angles simultaneously using picture-in-picture viewing. IPTV is Internet Protocol Television. It is digital television delivered on TV (and not PC) through high speed internet (broadband) connection. In this service, channels are encoded in IP format and delivered to the TV through a set top box. IPTV service also includes video on demand, which is similar to watching video CDs/DVDs using a VCD/DVD player

How does it work?

IPTV converts a television signal into small packets of computer data like any other form of online traffic such as email or a web page. There are three main components of IPTV.

• TV and content head end, where the TV channels are received and encoded and also other content like videos which are sorted.
• The second component is delivery network, which is broadband and landline network provided by a telecom operators such as MTNL.
• The third component is set top box, which is required at the customer location. The packets are reassembled into programming by software in the set-top box. This box is connected between the operator’s broadband modern and customer TV
  
  
  
  
  What are the advantages and limitations of IPTV?

  The quality of digital video and audio is much better compared with the traditional analogue TV. With additional features, it can become interactive. For example, viewers may be able to look up a player history while watching a game. They also may be able to schedule a recording of their favorite programmed when they are not home. With video on demand, they can browse an online movie catalogue and watch the movies instantly. Using standard networking protocols, IPTV promises lower costs for operators and users. Using set-top boxes with broadband internet connections, video can be streamed to households more efficiently than cable.
  
  However, since IPTV is based on internet protocol, it is sensitive to packet loss and delays if IPTV connection is not fast enough.
  When was IPTV service first used ever?In 1994, World News Now was the first television show to be broadcast over the internet, using the video conferencing software. Internet radio company AudioNet started the first continuous live web cast in January, 1998.
  
  When was it rolled out in India?Public sector operator Mahan agar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) is the first and only telcom in India providing IPTV services. It rolled out IPTV early this month in Mumbai and Delhi. The original 26 channels it launched were free-to-air, while the new lineup includes premium subscription channels. It has not yet announced tariff plans, which will vary depending on the number of channels a user subscribes to and the use of premium services.Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is rapidly being deployed as a compliment service to existing distribution technologies
  
  

  Why IPTV?

  Traces the changes in Internet Protocol Television since the mid-1990s and examines what IPTV means today. The author analyzes what delivery of TV over an IP network means, both in terms of possibilities for new services, and in terms of the impact on the network and how it has to be managed. In addition, Why IPTV? Helps you understand how introducing IPTV into the Web 2.0 world will impact the new services. It looks at the current trends in the consumer electronics industry as well as the network industry, and describes how the new technology can enhance and extend the existing business models in the TV industry, particularly in advertising; and also how it creates new possibilities, for instance, through personalization.
  Interactivity, Technologies, Services:

  • Provides an accessible introduction to IPTV.
  • Covers the technology to build IPTV systems, and shows what lies beyond traditional business models and existing distribution technologies.
  • Considers how IPTV technologies can exploit and change the current trends in consumer electronics and network industry
    
    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. IPTV is an acronym for Internet Protocol TV. It essentially is a technology that delivers video or TV broadcasts over the Internet. Instead of receiving television or video over the broadcast waves, cable lines or through a satellite TV service, your TV is hooked directly into a broadband Internet router and receives digital signal directly over the Internet.Many analysts have stated that IPTV is definitely the trend for the future of television broadcasts. Many broadband operators, telephone companies and cable companies that already pipe in broadband Internet to homes can easily add this service
    
    Advantages
    There are many advantages of IPTV over current digital or over the air broadcast TV signals; here are a few of them. Integration Integration can be a great way for many companies to offer several services in one integrated package. For instance, IPTV can also be packaged with normal broadband Internet as well as Void (Voice over Internet Protocol). All these services can be over one line sent directly to the consumer. This means that costs can be reduced and the consumer only has to deal with one provider instead of possibly three, making it more convenient. Switched IP Most home owners don't realize that cable TV broadcasters and Satellite TV broadcasters generally send all television signals at one time and then the consumer chooses which signal to show on the television set. This means that lots of bandwidth is used unnecessarily. With switched IP (IPTV uses switched IP technology), the entire process is more efficient. All the TV data is held in a center location and only the channel that the consumer at home chooses is piped in. This means much more bandwidth for either better quality broadcasts or the ability to add much more data choices due to the fact that bandwidth is no longer such a big issue
    
    Interactivity
    Interactivity is much easier to perform with IPTV than a normal cable, satellite or broadcast TV system. Because IPTV is delivered over the Internet where the consumer already has a modem in place, it is extremely easy for data to move from the TV company to the house, as well as data moving easily from the house back to the TV company. There will surely be many innovations on how to best interact between the consumer and TV company via television. Some ways interactive TV is already used is to purchase products directly from your TV set, such as buying items seen on a commercial or even ordering pizza. Another way that interactive TV can be used is by people requesting more information from their TV set on a program that they watched such as statistics while watching a baseball game. In addition, there are many ways that people can vote or take surveys while watching their favorite TV program. Home Network Not only is your TV set hooked up to the Internet, but all other computers in your home are hooked up to the same network, allowing you to use your TV to play media files that are stored on other computers. This may include digital photos, videos, surf the web or play music. In addition, many monitors have TV tuners built in or can accommodate TV tuners making your computer monitor an additional TV set in the home
    
    Video on Demand (VOD)
    Video on Demand (VOD) is an interactive feature that allows you to request programs such as movies, TV shows, etc at your convenience. For instance, you might want to watch an HBO special that has already took place. A few years ago, you would have had to check the listings and made time to watch it or recorded it on your VCR or DVR. Today, you can easily turn on your TV set, scroll through a menu and request the programming that you wish to watch. IPTV makes this interactivity extremely efficient and convenient.
    
    Initially, that means something as simple as setting up a recording from one location, recording it in another and watching it in yet another. But there are many more features coming, she said. For example, in 2008, Microsoft will offer the ability to deploy one fully functional set-top box (STB) in the home and allow all the others to be lower-cost models, said Eckert.
    
    “It's one of the benefits that I don't think is fully understood or appreciated,” she said. “You can put one expensive device in the house, and the others can be very low-cost nodes. You wouldn't do storage on them, but they would have full functionality to record stuff and to watch stuff.” In general, IPTV Stubs are at least $100 cheaper than comparable cable Stubs, she said. Microsoft has lowered the cost of subscriber acquisition by using a system-on-a-chip and moving things into software that once were done with hardware, Eckert said.
    
    Microsoft also has used its open-ecosystem approach to give its service provider customers “at least a couple of choices” of technology providers for other aspects of the system, such as encoders and servers, Eckert said. “We are using the same kind of technologies to scale IPTV as you use to scale the Internet,” she said. “So you can scale up in very dramatic ways, and you are continually riding down the chip and the hardware costs of the open ecosystem.” There has always been the option to develop new applications for Media room’s browser, but now Microsoft has released an application developer's tool kit and an environment “to allow developers to create applications more natively,” Eckert said.
    
    
    
    “This is an environment that is unique; it's not like cable or satellite,” she said. “We're not talking about hackers — you have to be willing to pay for a tool kit. Third-party developers can create and innovate on top of the platform. It's not a new idea, but nobody has been able to execute on it. We just had the first developers' conference [in October] in Boston, and the excitement is unbelievable. Microsoft knows how to open up and allow third parties to develop on its platform, and there is going to be enough scale behind these deployments to make it worthwhile.”
    
    

    Benefits of IPTV:

    IPTV leverages the investment in your data network to produce a TV and video reception and distribution solution with an unmatched combination of scalability, flexibility and value.

    • Distributes live or prerecorded TV and video/audio over existing data network
    • Unlimited distribution to every network connected TV / PC
    • Capacity for hundreds of TV and video sources
    • Digital quality consistent across all viewing points
    • Managerial control over individual viewing
    • Flexible, controllable signage and corporate branding
    • No additional hardware, cabling or power required at PC viewing points
    • Office moves and changes become simple, quick and non technical
    • No distance limitations on viewing points
    • Dispenses with Free view Set Top Boxes and video recorders
    • Manageable bandwidth requirements
    • Does not compromise network security
    • Industry standards based
      
      IPTV technology is the latest in innovations for getting the daily communications that people thrive on and enjoy. You may have heard of the ever-popular Voice over Internet Protocol (Void) phone service from companies like Voyage. Well, to make this easy to understand, IPTV is the same, only with television over internet protocol, instead of voice. Ultimately, TV can be watched anywhere through a broadband connection with IPTV, which makes it a very popular choice for those looking for the latest and greatest in new technology. Telecommunications companies are looking for new revenue, and they have found it with this process. IPTV technology is based around a similar system to that of cable. To allow the images to be transmitted there is the need for a computer or a set-top box of sorts, decoded, and then sent out to the TV in a format that can show them correctly on the screen. This type of broadcasting can be carried out by a simple broadcast or multicast if someone is trying to get a channel out to everyone. However, an 'on demand' basis is also possible, allowing people to stream material to just one or two subscribers who have requested the material or show in question. Maintaining the Technology There is a lot of work and technology that goes into maintaining IPTV technology. Streaming over broadband must be done efficiently and in the correct format that will allow for the seamless transition of the data that is being sent. The process for using IPTV involves lots of splitting, encoding and distributing efficiently. The provider end of all this is very complicated, but luckily for customers it really is a very simple tool to use. Channel selection for IPTV is executed via a membership format known as IPGMP, or IP Group Membership Protocol. As a result of the data transmission, sending multiple channel signals and changing channels is far simpler than it otherwise might be
      
      
      Future of IPTV:
      IPTV is a system where a digital television service is delivered using Internet Protocol over a network infrastructure, which may include delivery by a broadband connection. A general definition of IPTV (News -Alert) is television content that, instead of being delivered through traditional broadcast and cable formats, is received by the viewer through the technologies used for computer networks.
      
      The global recession has been a stumbling block in this market, yet strong growth in telecom/IPTV services is predicted – partly due to aggressive provider deployments, according to the firm’s recent whitepaper, “IPTV and the Digital Home.” The most successful rollouts will incorporate multiple services, such as home networking, convergence in entertainment and communications features, and unique interactive services such as quality on-demand programming, industry experts say. Parks Associates reports the number of telcom /IPTV households worldwide grew by nearly 80 percent in 2008 to exceed 20 million. It is forecasted that the growth rate will exceed 50 percent in 2009. Japan is seeing greater deployments, however, the United States is projected to see a larger movement toward IPTV deployments, industry experts say, as more residences transition from cable to wireless.
      
      “In Asian markets, such as Japan and Taiwan, IPTV is pushing home networking like you would never believe,” said David Thompson, product marketing director of Taiwan-based Zexel, which also has a headquarters in Anaheim, Calif. “In North America it is now very common for most homes to have a wireless router, IPTV technology is now changing the way many are viewing video media. Offering many benefits over satellite or traditional cable broadcast methods; IPTV utilizes the internet for the streaming of its content. The resulting media can be customized to suit a number of applications. For example, hospitals, schools, and hotels can benefit in a big way from the capabilities this service provides. The IPTV SolutionWhether you are looking to add interactivity, broadcast to a large number of people without added cost, or want to increase picture quality and video choices, this new technology can provide a solution for all of those demands and more
      
      In Hotels
      For hotels, the benefits of IPTV technology are tremendous. Depending on what you wish to offer your guests, you can provide on-demand and live access to movies, television shows, and even games. You have the option to provide these free of charge to every room or else to charge based on each selection. For hotel guests, having on-demand capabilities is much more convenient than traditional television as they are constantly in and out of their rooms, making it difficult to watch a particular program at a set time. You will also have the ability to broadcast hotel information as well as giving guests the facility to view their billing details via the television.
      
      In Schools
      IPTV technology can also be useful in school settings as well. Instead of basic morning announcements over the traditional P.A. system, IPTV makes it possible to broadcast video content that reaches every room throughout the school. This is also useful for sharing educational video content with many classrooms at once, without the need to shuffle around videos and DVDs. Instead, teachers can have access to a variety of educational programs whenever they need them. This technology also provides a number of options for interactivity that will more likely than not be creatively implement into many schools in the future.
      
      In Hospitals
      Another application for this technology is in hospitals. With a large number of patients and rooms, it can be difficult to provide a variety of programming to suit everyone's tastes. As patients are typically confined to their beds for a long period of time, television and movies provides a much-needed distraction through entertainment. Although conventional cable systems are not easily streamed to such a large number of rooms, IPTV makes this possible at a very low cost, without the need for extensive, invasive wiring running throughout the building. With its increasingly growing variety of applications, IPTV technology certainly appears to be the television for the future. ave an effective security infrastructure that can use the technology and the law towards achieving the objective of securing the information assets of the country
      
      
      IPTV and the Future
      Recently we have seen the emergence of cable television over the Internet, or IPTV. In this article we will take a look at what IPTV is, how it works, and who is going to benefit from it. I did an article a while ago on Void. This involves using your Internet connection instead of your traditional phone line to make calls. It had many advantages and disadvantages over traditional phone systems. The technology was just getting out the door when the article was written, and is now readily available to nearly everyone. It still hasn’t caught on as much as I thought it would. It appears most people are just using cell phones and ditching their household phone. But now we are seeing another common household feature moving to the Internet.
      
      What it is? The name speaks for itself: IPTV, TV over the Internet. It’s a rather simple idea, though it's much more difficult than it seems, as I will explain later. Faster computers and quicker Internet connections are making IPTV more of an option. As the technology advances, we will see more IPTV with more channels and HD support as well. Chances are that you have probably even used IPTV without even knowing it. IPTV first hit the Internet in 1994, right as the masses were starting to get online. Back then it wasn’t as abundant as it is now, and most people probably never even knew about it. Fast forward to 2008, and we have many different types of IPTV, from ESPN’s video highlights on their home page to IPTV on your cell phone. IPTV has really taken off and is still on a steep rise.
      
      ABC was the first to use IPTV in 1994, and continues to lead the way with IPTV. Their first show needed a fast connection, special video conferencing software, and had to be online during the time it was being aired. Now ABC has their shows in full episodes online for anyone to stream from their browser at any time. No longer are you tied to the time the TV show airs to catch it.
      
      An IPTV deployment can involve a variety of things depending on the system architecture used. Generally, however, it involves new set-top boxes, usually MPEG-4, some new headed equipment and a good deal of systems integration. It also involves choosing middleware, conditional access/digital rights management system and a variety of other related applications that impact security, customer satisfaction and system management.
      
      A key challenge for the majority of IPTV service providers, especially with a telecommunications’ heritage, can be the lack of media related expertise. Components of the IPTV architecture such as conditional access, DRM, and middleware require media specific systems integration and network management capabilities. Smaller telcom and even rural cable companies that have yet to upgrade to a digital system will have to climb a steep learning curve to provide quality IPTV services. Strategic partnerships with systems integrators that have installed head end equipment and software can ease the deployment of IPTV. Larger telcom should also consider these types of partnerships as they move forward in their IPTV roll out.
      
      Program content acquisition can also pose a challenge for an IPTV service provider that has no experience working with media companies. Established broadcasters have many decades of experience commissioning and delivering content. Telecommunication operators have none. The success of telecom operators in the IPTV space can rely heavily on their relationships with various content providers and programmers. Bargaining power tends be a larger issue for smaller operators than to a Verizon or AT&T, but the ability to find new and innovative content can be arduous for any sized company One area where telcom are attempting to differentiate them from incumbent Moss is with niche programming (often termed the “long tail” in industry parlance). Demand for this type of programming is evidenced by the success of video file sharing, which largely consists of long tail content. The ability for IPTV providers to acquire and use niche or “long tail” programming may become a competitive advantage
      
      Convergence is now here with mobile, data, voice and video all going over Internet infrastructure. In particular the promise of TV delivered via IP is gaining momentum globally the more the Internet merges with consumer electronics, especially televisions. But plenty of challenges remain, not the least of which is the pending depletion of the IPv4 address space. Experts predict IPv4 addresses will be exhausted as early as 2010. That's why the move is underway to the IPv6 protocol, which provides significantly more address space for devices. The move to IPv6 has been slow around the globe, with a few exceptions. One of them is in Japan, where deployment of IPv6 by telcom NTT could provide a blueprint for carriers preparing for the rise of IPTV.
      "NTT Pala Hiker TV is the first large scale commercially successful IPTV over IPv6 service," said Cody Chrisman, NTT America's director of product engineering. "It has 76 channels of standard and high definition TV over the network, over 10, 00 video on demand tiles and 13,000 titles in their Karaoke service." NTT Pala is a Japanese Internet service provider operated by NTT. The company's Hiker TV deployment is getting a demonstration at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week as an example of IPv6 put to practical use. The Hiker TV deployment runs on top of NTT's next generation IPv6 network, which Chrisman noted delivers Internet service to 10 million Japanese subscribers. The Hiker TV service currently has penetration in the hundreds of thousands of users. (The term Hiker is Japanese for light and refers to the fiber optic cable to the home that carries the service.)
      
      Consumers in Japan can buy set-top boxes that are IPv6 enabled for Hiker. As well, Chrisman noted that there are also Hiker-ready TV sets in Japan from Toshiba that integrate the set-top box capabilities directly into the TV. This happens with Ethernet port that plugs directly into users' TVs. Chrisman says the need for IPv6 for IPTV delivery is obvious, given that the IPv4 protocol is running out of room. By building out an IPv6 deployment, NTT has more scalability to grow the service and its functionality over time. In particular, one thing that a unique IPv6 address will allow Hiker TV consumers is end to end address transparency.
      
      In North America and globally, Network Address Translation (NAT) is used to take a public IPv4 address and the provide a private local addresses, such that one public IP address could have many users and uses. With IPv6 and its abundance of address space, NAT is no longer required, which Chrisman argued enables service providers to have a cleaner network architecture that doesn't have to deal with NAT and some of the potential connectivity problems that it poses. IPv6 with its unique IP addresses for all also enables end to security without NAT interference.
      
      While the Hiker TV service is delivered over IPv6, it does have compatibility with IPv4 based Internet services as well. Chrisman explained that NTT tunnels IPv4 addresses over the IPv6 backbone so users can access IPv4 based content. With the advent of support for HD (High Definition) resolutions on decoders, and System-on-Chip (Sock) integrated decoders rather than more cumbersome software solutions, the market had begin to adapt IPTV-based interactive video services. Today these services include Void (Video on Demand) and EPG (Electronic Program Guide). But with emerging next-generation networks and technologies, the ground is ripe for introduction of full interactive video services to residential and business customers based on IPTV and IP set-top-box models
      
      
      
      
      TELCO TV & IPTV – Current Status

      As consumers continue to search for complete service packages that include voice, video and data, they will naturally begin to conider telcom TV. In addition, telecom operators with significant broadband deployments seeking new sources to generate revenue will find IPTV-based telcom TV a natural extension of current network infrastructure. IPTV is a system where digital television service is delivered using IP network infrastructure. In the residential market, IPTV is often provided in conjunction with Video-on-Demand (Void) and may be bundled with other Internet services, such as Web access and Void. The commercial bundling of IPTV, Void and Internet access is referred to as "Triple Play." IPTV is delivered to residential subscribers using an IP set-top-box (IP STB). The development and delivery of value-added services is key to the long-term viability of the telcom TV (IPTV) business model. These services will be built upon IP Stubs that deliver full interactivity. Today’s IP Stubs allow only a limited range of interactive services. These include Void (Video-on-Demand), mentioned before, PVR (Personal Video Recorders) and EPG (Electronic Program Guide). These services are either already available, or in late stages of development. Therefore, IP STB manufacturers have very little to work with to differentiate their IP STB offerings from the competition. This is where the technology that enables manufacturers to turn conventional IP Stubs into full-fledged, live interactive video service platforms comes in. Revision’s technology plays an important role in this trend and offers all the technology and expertise needed to develop live face-to-face interactive video services on STB platforms. IP STB of the Future Revision’s vision is to transform the IP STB into a true, interactive and rich communication center – the household’s communication epicenter. This can be achieved by adding video conferencing technologies to the IP STB itself, which enables a variety of new ways to use the IP STB. According to recent market research published by Frost & Sullivan (October 2006): "The adoption of common standards for IPTV interoperability is crucial if there is to be mass adoption of interactive visual communications in the business and consumer markets.
      
      The implementation of open standards developed by video conferencing offers the means of connecting these disparate islands of users in a manner similar to that of the IM federation, which is already successfully uniting the IM population." Not only should interactivity not be limited to content; live interaction between people is a springboard for an entirely new paradigm of communication. Internet Protocol Television is the newest technology on the block. It is often referred to IPTV, which is television content broadcast through the computer networks such as internet. Instead of the traditional cable and broadcast formats, the viewers can now watch television on the internet. The entire process involves receiving and sending data by the means of the ‘packets’ of information. IPTV, pretty much uses the same technology, although there are some minor differences. Along with the ‘packet’ conveyance method, including the internet, IPTV is broadcast through closed, separate networks, which are again dependent on the internet. This would provide better speed, quality and usability as compared to satellite TV or analog cable. Unlike the cable or satellite TV, television on internet would provide only one single channel that you pick from the programming guide, which results in a faster and an efficient TV watching experience. Due to this enhanced efficiency, IPTV is able to provide a selection of programming features to the audiences. A few of these features include the onscreen caller id, the programming guides and the hard-drive recording. Television on internet is convenient and reliable. The sound quality is superior and with the above mentioned interactive features, IPTV is becoming exceedingly popular all across the world. In order to maintain the uniformity of the broadcasts amongst the providers, the channel broadcasts are going completely digital, as the technologies continue to improve. Furthermore, a lot of telecommunication carriers plan on accelerating the deployment of IPTV services.
      
      There are various IPTV forums which would allow you to discuss the open standards of these technology specifications. Internet is now just not the source of information. But now it has also become a medium of entertainment. Internet television is one of the offering that internet delivers today. As the name suggests internet television is a television service distributed via internet medium. In simple terms viewers need to be sitting in front of TV, holding the remote if they want to catch your favorite show or sports. Instead they can also watch it on their laptop or PC if it is connected to the internet
      
      

      IPTV is more Beneficial In terms Of Business:

      Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV, is an exciting new technology that is helping to create a far better means of watching television. However, using IPTV for business is without doubt going to change the way that many businesses operate.
      IPTV is NOT online videos or internet shows. This can be extremely low in quality and require extensive buffering. This service works the same way as VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone services, and connects people so that they have a 2-way connection with television shows and networks. When live TV is on, users can communicate with show hosts and audiences through the 2-way communication.
      
      This technology has a large number of uses. Generally speaking, this technology is relatively new and is designed for consumers, but business applications are multiplied extensively. For example, there is a plan in the works to release a private IPTV network within McDonald's locations throughout Italy, allowing customers to see unique video material, which includes pre-recorded commercials, live sports, and other shows. Hotel and hospitality services are going to see the most use from this technology because it gives them a chance to customize the content that they offer to their guests. However, this service will be highly used across the entire business world.
      
      IPTV also gives people the chance to create a private network of television entertainment and content that is digital quality and doesn't have the bugs and buffering issues of internet videos and web-based television. If it helps you to compare this service to something, think in terms of the closed-circuit televisions that we often see used in schools and offices to limit the broadcasting that is seen or to show advertisements and dedicated television content as needed. Using the internet-bandwidth connection provides excellent quality images and much better production than analogue and digital television utilizing cable services.

      IPTV technology is the latest in innovations for getting the daily communications that people thrive on and enjoy. You may have heard of the ever-popular Voice over Internet Protocol (Void) phone service from companies like Voyage. Well, to make this easy to understand, IPTV is the same, only with television over internet protocol, instead of voice. Ultimately, TV can be watched anywhere through a broadband connection with IPTV, which makes it a very popular choice for those looking for the latest and greatest in new technology. Telecommunications companies are looking for new revenue, and they have found it with this process.
      
      IPTV technology is based on a system that is much like cable. There is the need for a computer or a set-top box of sorts so that the images can be transmitted, decoded, and then sent out to the television in a format that can show them properly on the screen. This type of broadcasting can be done by a simple broadcast or multicast if someone is trying to get a channel out to everyone. However, it can also be done on an 'on demand' basis, where people are able to stream material to just one or two subscribers who have requested the show or material in question
      
      
      
      

    
    

    Maintaining the Technology
    

    There is a lot of work and technology that goes into maintaining IPTV technology. Streaming over broadband needs to be done efficiently and in a format that will allow for the seamless transition of the data that is being sent. The process for using IPTV involves a lot of encoding, splitting, and distributing efficiently. The provider end is very complicated, but for customers it is a simple tool to use. Channel selection for IPTV is done via a membership known as IPGMP, or IP Group Membership Protocol. Due to the data transmission, this makes sending multiple channel signals and changing channels much simpler than it might be otherwise.
    
    IPTV is not only online videos or internet shows. This can be extremely low in quality and require extensive buffering. This service works the same way as VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone services, and connects people so that they have a 2-way connection with television shows and networks. When live TV is on, users can communicate with show hosts and audiences through the 2-way communication.
    
    This technology has a large number of uses. Generally speaking, this technology is relatively new and is designed for consumers, but business applications are multiplied extensively. For example, there is a plan in the works to release a private IPTV network within McDonald's locations throughout Italy, allowing customers to see unique video material, which includes pre-recorded commercials, live sports, and other shows. Hotel and hospitality services are going to see the most use from this technology because it gives them a chance to customize the content that they offer to their guests. However, this service will be highly used across the entire business world.
    
    IPTV also gives people the chance to create a private network of television entertainment and content that is digital quality and doesn't have the bugs and buffering issues of internet videos and web-based television. If it helps you to compare this service to something, think in terms of the closed-circuit televisions that we often see used in schools and offices to limit the broadcasting that is seen or to show advertisements and dedicated television content as needed. Using the internet-bandwidth connection allows for higher quality images and better production than analogue and digital television through cable services
    
    This particular product is not quite at its peak yet, but is growing in popularity. If you are looking for a better way to broadcast or provide television to customers or employees, this might be a great solution. The technology isn't going to be applicable to every business, but it has many different applications that users can appreciate in a business setting. If you have an interest in the latest technology or if you currently have a VOIP provider for your phone service, you may well want to consider IPTV as an alternative to a standard satellite provider or cable network to get improved quality, better customization, and plenty of other benefits for your business needs.
    

    IPTV network systems can be individually custom-built to fulfill the unique demands of the hospitality and hotel market. Whether it's a modest boutique guest house, luxury 5 star hotels or a sports stadium, IPTV companies can supply the complete range of tools you need to offer a complete IPTV hospitality service to your guests.

    
    What's the Advantage of IPTV in Hotels and Hospitality?

    IPTV is what your valued hotel guests will expect and demand. It is the future of any TV distribution in a hotel and with IPTV technology in place, you will have a wealth of benefits: Distribute free to view and subscription satellite or terrestrial TV signals throughout your computer network to bars, guest bedrooms, public areas or conference facilities within a hotel Offer extensive set of local and foreign language TV and radio channel, in-house advertising channel to common areas, gust rooms, restaurants and bars
    
     Fully HD compatible
    
     The High definition user interface can be custom-built to each companies own branding to allow for logos, images, videos etc.
     Deliver live Television and video/music on demand to Guest Rooms
    Prevent having multiple cables and network systems installed around your building

    Electronic Programmed Guide: providing information on the TV channels available at the hotel
    Network Based Video Recorder: Allows guests to record programmers from the EPG and view at their convenience
     Games: Gaming packages are possible and offer a selection of simple to use games that a guest can play utilizing their set top box remote control
     Link directly to different PMS systems
    Shows information about a selection of facilities and activities accessible within the Hotel
     View My Bill: Immediate access to bill information for guests
     Messages: Can receive Messages direct to bedroom television
     Check Out: Simple "Check Out" for guests from convenience of their room
    

    IPTV services:

    AT&T and Verizon have reported clear subscription increases in their IPTV based services with AT&T reaching about 2.5 million subscriber’s vis-à-vis Verizon’s 3.2 million mark. This means that AT&T and Verizon have about 5% of the sum of Comcast cable subscribers which are in the range of 20 million but the IPTV subscription number is growing, and fast.
    
    Many would agree that the North America IPTV services market is still in embryonic form compared with, in sheer numbers, the very popular, robust, and well proven and tradition cable based TV service. On the other hand the latest information clearly shows that a number of major operators, especially those with little or no underlying cable network, are clearly favoring IPTV deployments.
    
    With the fast growth in internet based technologies and general trend towards converged and glued services, one expects that internet based broadband services will grow. In addition, DSL upgrades will eventually be replaced by longer distance VDSL systems and fiber, allowing extraordinary bandwidths and speeds at reasonable prices.
    
    On the other hand, Europe is slowly but surely bridging the digital divide and implementing full (and free) broadband digital television services, in addition to the assortment of existing satellite television services, while releasing the analog spectrum for other uses
    
    

    IPTV and the Digital Divide

    Indeed competition for viewer attention and broadband multimedia services will continue to increase. The key advantage of IPTV based services perhaps, is that fact that the user can adapt the desired service to fit his or her schedule, with minimal effort, instead of trying to accommodate one’s schedule to fit broadcast times.
    Interactivity is of course another key component, missing from other services especially broadcast related ones.
    In addition, the fact that IPTV is based on internet connectivity means that the services and related technology can be interfaced with other subsystems such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem.
    Internet Protocol version 4 the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP), is one of standard internet work-layer protocol used and the first version of the protocol to be widely deployed on the Internet. Going through the history during the early 1990s, it was clear that IPv4 was not a long-term protocol.
    
    Its design did not anticipate a number of requirements that turned out to be crucial. Such requirements not only pertained to the proliferation of devices, but also the need for additional security, simpler configuration and better prioritization of some services, such as real-time services (often referred to as Quality of Service issues).
    IPv6 multicast was adopted for the first time in the world in a commercial IP TV service started on July 28, 2004. The 4th MEDIA Service aims to attract 200,000 subscribers in the first year. It will probably become the largest consumer IPv6 service soon.
    
    In Japan, there had already been two IP TV services available: BBTV by Yahoo! BB and Hiker plus TV by KDDI. A major difference of 4th MEDIA with them in business model is that 4th MEDIA is rather a horizontal business alliance.
    
    4th MEDIA Service is a broadcasting and VOD service started by Pala Networks, an NTT East group ISP business, in an alliance with Online TV, a company established by Jupiter Programming and others for this service. The business is supported by several ISPs, including @nifty, BIGLOBE, and hi-ho, as well as Pala, for user supports and fee collection
    
    Pala Networks has provided IP phone operation for other ISPs. The company started video service in a similar scheme. The fact that 4th MEDIA broadcasting uses IPv6 multicast means that each set top box gets directly connected to IPv6. The deployment of a new architecture becomes a need as well as a necessity. The transition to IPv6 holds the future of the internet infrastructure. IPV6! The protocol is a robust technology designed as a successor to IP version 4 (IPv4), the predominant protocol in use today. The changes from IPv4 to IPv6 are primarily in the areas of expanded addressing capabilities; header format simplification; improved support for extensions and options; flow labeling capability; and consolidated authentication and privacy capabilities.
    
    The kind of communication that will be enabled by the advent of IPv6 will be particularly useful in the embedded systems arena, as millions of new devices take advantage of Internet connectivity. Although IPv6 has been around for several years, there continues to be a debate about its value. But there are many ways in which IPv4 is not working, and there are good amount of reasons why the migration of IPv6 is not only desirable, but necessary. Some of the areas include reducing address space, Internet Security, Quality of Service, auto configuration, wireless, IMAX the list are endless.
    
    One of the important aspects of implementation IPv6 is that it will remove any concern about the limitation of IP addresses. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, versus the 32-bit addresses used by IPv4. Compared to the total possible number of IPv4 addresses, 4.29 billion, IPv6 provides nearly 600 quadrillion addresses for every square millimeter on earth. That's 6x1023 addresses for every square meter of the earth's surface.
    
    When each device has its own unique global IP address and NAT is no longer necessary, peer-to-peer communication will become much easier. Two devices will be able to establish direct communication without the need to translate between global and private addresses. Two-way applications such as IP telephony, video conferencing and gaming will be much simpler to develop. Routing tables will become far less complex, which will enable higher performance for Internet traffic and more bandwidth for additional communication.
    
    The Internet is expanding into many new areas such as mobile Internet, IPTV and other IP embedded services which require more and more new IP addresses every day. The growth of IP based services and devices will stretch the current Internet protocol beyond breaking point because in a few years, there will be no more Imps available.
    
    The main reason (and benefit) for IPv6 initial deployment is the vastly increased address space compared to its predecessor IPv4. To get a general idea, IPv4 currently supports approximately 232 which equal about 4.3 billion IP addresses. If you compare it to the number of persons around the globe, it won't even be enough to assign one single IP to every living person. IPv6, however, supports 2128 addresses. This is approximately 5x1028 for each of the 6.5 billion people alive today or the possibility to add an address to each atom in the average person's body. I think that should be enough for everyone.
    
    Unfortunately, at the moment, the Internet is still dominated by IPv4 and very few of the ISPs offer IPv6 connectivity. So, in order to test the v6 protocol, you will have to create an IPv6-in-IPv4 tunnel that will use the existing IPv4 infrastructure to encapsulate and carry IPv6 packets. Such tunnels are widely deployed today. To create a 6to4 tunnel, you will have to search on your favorite engine for "ipv6 tunnel broker" and pick the one closest to you (evidently, for low pings and high connectivity)
    
    Refererance http://en.wikipedia.org
    http://www.indianofficer.com
    http://www.tech-faq.com
    http://ezinearticles.com