Just What is IPTV and Does it Have a Future?
IPTV (Internet TV) .... is it real or memorex, fad or the best thing since sliced bread? Since opinions vary widely it really depends on what side of the fence you're on. But first ... just what is IPTV? IPTV is moving images sent over IP. After that it covers a multitude of different systems. IPTV is encoded in either MPEG2, MPEG4, H264, or propriety protocols in either broadcast, multicast or point to point IP networks. It may or may not use IGMP, it may or may not have middleware protocols to manage the views. It can be used for viewing normal television, VoD, special services, "Hotel room services", adverts, remote windows, anything. There are open systems and closed systems. Some using signalling and control some being totally passive. IPTV is just a very wide concept with many many applications. My non-technical definition of IPTV is a question of perspectives. From a customer point of view it is the ability to create custom channels that include the content they wi...
