What is IPTV

IPTV technology allows to broadcast television into IP networks with HD video and multi-channel audio. To achieve that, it requires: an IP network with multicast broadcasting support, a head-end that receives external digital TV signals and manages all the IPTV system, and set-top boxes for subscribers' TVs.

The IP protocol allows to organize two-way connections between head-end and set-top boxes. Thank to all that, users can enjoy the interactive TV and other media features not available to classical television subscribers.

Interactive IPTV features

Besides classical TV channels, IPTV provides additional interactive features:
  • Video on Demand (VoD). It is an individual delivery of video content to a subscriber. This service allows its users to order for watching any movie from the VoD server's media library. The subscriber can use the pause and rewind features.
  • near Video on Demand (nVoD) is a pay-per-view video service like VoD but intended for multiple users subscribed to nVoD service. The schedule of content broadcasting is compiled beforehand. Subscribers can look through schedule and plan watching the content of interest.
  • Time Shifted TV adds interactive features to TV channels watching. The subscriber can pause the playback at any time and resume it later. There is also a rewind option for TV programs.
  • TV on Demand (TVoD). The selected TV channels are recorded to be viewed whenever the customer finds more convenient.