What is IPTV?
IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. In a very simple words, IPTV is a
way to watch TV programs, movies, and live performances over the internet
rather than it watching it through satellite, cable, or television. With IPTV,
you can stream your content on internet, which makes it more flexible and
convenient for you as compared to an old-fashioned television where you need to
rely on satellite or cable.
way to watch TV programs, movies, and live performances over the internet
rather than it watching it through satellite, cable, or television. With IPTV,
you can stream your content on internet, which makes it more flexible and
convenient for you as compared to an old-fashioned television where you need to
rely on satellite or cable.
How Does IPTV Work?
In short, basically, IPTV does not work like a Satellite or Cable TV there TV shows,
series, and movies are transmitted through satellite signals or via cables.
series, and movies are transmitted through satellite signals or via cables.
Here’s a detail explanation on How IPTV will work:
Content on IPTV:
The first thing is that IPTV providers acquire content like TV shows, movies,
sports, etc. from various sources such as television networks, a house of
production, and other online streaming platforms.
sports, etc. from various sources such as television networks, a house of
production, and other online streaming platforms.
Converting into Digital Format:
The content received from various sources will
be digitally encoded (like compressing a video file) so, it’s smaller and
easier to send over the internet. This is why you can stream high-quality
videos without the need for big physical equipment like satellite dishes.
be digitally encoded (like compressing a video file) so, it’s smaller and
easier to send over the internet. This is why you can stream high-quality
videos without the need for big physical equipment like satellite dishes.
Sending via the internet:
Once the content is ready, it’s sent through the
internet protocol-whatever that means-and essentially just data traveling over
the internet-so instead of using traditional broadcast signals, video comes to
your screen via the internet.
internet protocol-whatever that means-and essentially just data traveling over
the internet-so instead of using traditional broadcast signals, video comes to
your screen via the internet.
Finally, you watch this content on smart TVs, laptops, mobiles, tablets, or
even a set-box connected to your TV. The devices decode the video for you to
watch on your screen.
even a set-box connected to your TV. The devices decode the video for you to
watch on your screen.
Types of IPTV Services
There are 3 main types of IPTV services that people use:
Live IPTV:
Just like a regular television, the events that you want to watch on
TV, live. You watch what you want, be it live shows or news or the serials,
live as they happen..
TV, live. You watch what you want, be it live shows or news or the serials,
live as they happen..
Time Shifted IPTV:
Time-shifted is the recording and viewing of TV programs
after they were broadcast. You could pause or rewind as you watch the live TV,
which is exactly like in a DVR.
after they were broadcast. You could pause or rewind as you watch the live TV,
which is exactly like in a DVR.
On-demand IPTV:
Netflix or Hotstar is a kind of service. You can watch movies,
web series, and shows at your convenience. It is video-on-demand-no need to
follow a schedule.
web series, and shows at your convenience. It is video-on-demand-no need to
follow a schedule.
Benefits of IPTV
Here’s why people love IPTV in India:
- We can watch anything, anywhere. No more watching only during fixed hours.
Besides, we can watch on any device: from a mobile to smart TVs.
- Better picture and sound quality: You will get High Definition or even 4K
resolution if you use IPTV. Super clear images and extraordinary sound. A
little bit more than what you get with your cable TV.
- Flexible Choices: IPTV gives you the flexibility to pick and choose what you
want to watch. You can filter through an extensive selection of shows, films,
documentaries, or even international channels.
- Cost-Effective: IPTV can be much cheaper than expensive cable or satellite
connections. Not only that; you don’t have to worry about paying for
installation fees or charging for equipment.
- No Need for Cable Wires: Unlike traditional TV, you
don’t need any physical cables or satellite dishes to get IPTV. All you need is
an internet connection.
- Versatility: You don’t need to sit on your sofa and stick to your TV for watching IPTV. You can catch
them on your mobiles, tablets, or even on your laptop, so you are free to do
most things.
IPTV vs. Traditional Television
Let’s compare IPTV with the old traditional TV setup:
Delivery Method:
Traditional TV relies on satellite, cable, or terrestrial
signals to transmit. With IPTV, your shows are streamed over your internet
connection. No satellite dishes or cables needed.
signals to transmit. With IPTV, your shows are streamed over your internet
connection. No satellite dishes or cables needed.
Interactive Features:
Using IPTV, you can pause, rewind, or fast-forward live
TV. You can stream content as you like it. In regular TV, you have to wait for
the scheduled programme..
TV. You can stream content as you like it. In regular TV, you have to wait for
the scheduled programme..
Content Options:
IPTV provides many more channels and on-demand content like
movies, episodes, and live events. You’re at the mercy of what’s available on
the cable and are forced to watch whatever is scheduled.
movies, episodes, and live events. You’re at the mercy of what’s available on
the cable and are forced to watch whatever is scheduled.
Video Quality:
IPTV introduces more considerable video resolution, such as HD
and 4K, compared to traditional cable TV. These are not always there on the
cable or do not have that clear view.
and 4K, compared to traditional cable TV. These are not always there on the
cable or do not have that clear view.
Internet Speed:
IPTV requires a sufficient amount of
internet speed. If your internet is slow, streaming may create issues, such as
pauses in the buffer or of poor video quality. Regular TV does not create any
such problem because it does not require internet.
internet speed. If your internet is slow, streaming may create issues, such as
pauses in the buffer or of poor video quality. Regular TV does not create any
such problem because it does not require internet.
Technologies Behind IPTV
IPTV uses several technologies and protocols to make sure content is delivered
smoothly:
smoothly:
IP Multicast:
This is a method by which one source delivers data to multiple
recipients simultaneously. It will save internet bandwidth and gives better
video streaming than over-the-air live broadcasts.
recipients simultaneously. It will save internet bandwidth and gives better
video streaming than over-the-air live broadcasts.
Video Compression:
IPTV uses video compression techniques such as H.264 and
HEVC for video files to make them small in size. This allows for rapid delivery
of videos without the compromise on video quality.
HEVC for video files to make them small in size. This allows for rapid delivery
of videos without the compromise on video quality.
Set-top boxes:
Some of the IPTV services offer set-top boxes. These small
devices connect your television to the internet. They decode the IPTV stream,
and then you can view it on your television. However, most of the new services
now operate directly through applications on smart TVs, so one doesn’t
necessarily need to use a set-top box.
devices connect your television to the internet. They decode the IPTV stream,
and then you can view it on your television. However, most of the new services
now operate directly through applications on smart TVs, so one doesn’t
necessarily need to use a set-top box.
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming:
It’s a technical term for video quality
automatically adjusting according to your internet speed. So if your internet
is slow, the IPTV will automatically reduce your video quality in order to
avoid buffering.
automatically adjusting according to your internet speed. So if your internet
is slow, the IPTV will automatically reduce your video quality in order to
avoid buffering.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):
CDNs refer to a network of servers spread all
over the globe that would contain video content. The CDNs make sure that
delivery of the IPTV streams is performed quickly and without delay.
over the globe that would contain video content. The CDNs make sure that
delivery of the IPTV streams is performed quickly and without delay.
Most Popular IPTV Providers in India
Here are the some of the most popular IPTV services available in India:
Airtel Xstream:
Airtel offers the IPTV service along with its broadband plans.
Live TV, movies on-demand along with web series are some of the leading
advantages you get from them.
Live TV, movies on-demand along with web series are some of the leading
advantages you get from them.
JioFiber:
Jio offers an IPTV service along with its broadband packages. It has
over 500+ channels, in addition to movies and shows on-demand.
over 500+ channels, in addition to movies and shows on-demand.
ACT Fibernet:
ACT Fibernet offers a similar IPTV that allows you to stream TV
shows and films. The set also supports HD channels and on-demand content.
shows and films. The set also supports HD channels and on-demand content.
Tata Sky Binge+:
Tata Sky is another leading satellite TV operator and offers
IPTV, too, with its Binge+ set-top box, enabling you to stream content from
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
IPTV, too, with its Binge+ set-top box, enabling you to stream content from
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
OTT Platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar):
Although not actually IPTV, services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ are
online platforms where you can stream movies, web series, and more. You can
watch them on any device that’s plugged into the internet.
Although not actually IPTV, services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ are
online platforms where you can stream movies, web series, and more. You can
watch them on any device that’s plugged into the internet.
Legal and Ethical Concerns with IPTV
Although IPTV is awesome, there are a few legal concerns you should know about:
Pirated IPTV:
Some individuals use unauthorized IPTV services to view pirated
material such as movies, sports games, or pay-cable TV programs. These are
illegal acts, and engagement with or distribution of pirated IPTV has legal
consequences.
material such as movies, sports games, or pay-cable TV programs. These are
illegal acts, and engagement with or distribution of pirated IPTV has legal
consequences.
Copyright:
Professional IPTV providers need broadcast rights to serve content.
Without broadcast rights, everything that is being streamed
is copyrighted material and to stream this means that
it’s illegal.
Without broadcast rights, everything that is being streamed
is copyrighted material and to stream this means that
it’s illegal.
Private Issues:
Most IPTV services collect your data, like viewing
habits. Ensure the service you choose complies with privacy
protection and always keeps your information secure.
habits. Ensure the service you choose complies with privacy
protection and always keeps your information secure.
Conclusion:
IPTV is a game-changer for how we watch TV and video
content. With the ability to watch shows and movies whenever we want, on any
device, and with better picture quality, it’s a huge improvement over
traditional TV service. Whether you’re watching live cricket, a Netflix series,
or a Bollywood movie, IPTV gives you a seamless, flexible, and cost-effective
way to enjoy entertainment.
trustworthy IPTV services to avoid problems with piracy and data privacy.
