1st Edition

Understanding IPTV

By Gilbert Held Copyright 2007
    208 Pages 48 B/W Illustrations
    by Auerbach Publications

    Driven by a combination of technological improvements and commercial pressure, interest in IPTV services has increasingly grown. IPTV refers to the use of the Internet protocol required for delivery of television content. IPTV represents an emerging technology that could change the manner in which homes receive entertainment, personal computers operate, and people use cell phones.

    Beginning with a comprehensive introduction, Understanding IPTV examines concepts, applications, and possible impacts of IPTV. The book covers market drivers and developing IPTV infrastructure. It explains television concepts, including several popular compression standards, and considers the TCP/IP protocol suite. It also identifies so-called "last mile" solutions and details the operation and utilization of hardware and software components required to view television content delivered over different types of IP networks. The author addresses the industry players and alliances, providing an understanding of companies that are working with the technology. Concluding with examples of the use of IPTV, he illustrates the potential of this evolving technology.

    Exploring the current state of the IPTV market, business opportunities, and trial services worldwide, Understanding IPTV discusses the advantages that IPTV offers network operators and the new revenue streams that may emerge. It presents different IPTV technologies and the products that manufacturers are bringing to the market.

    INTRODUCTION TO IPTV
    The Concept of IPTV
    Applications
    The Potential Impact of IPTV

    MARKET DRIVERS AND DEVELOPING IPTV INFRASTRUCTURE
    Telephone Company Landline Erosion
    The Pay-TV Market

    TELEVISION CONCEPTS
    Analog Television
    Digital Television
    Lossy Compression

    THE TCP/IP PROTOCOL SUITE AND IPTV
    The TCP/IP Protocol Suite
    Delivering IPTV

    LAST MILE SOLUTIONS
    VDSL
    Distribution into the Home

    HARDWARE COMPONENTS
    Set-Top Boxes
    Media Center and Center Extenders
    Servers

    SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
    Microsoft's Windows Media Player
    Apple Computer's QuickTime
    Other Media Players
    Summary

    INTERNET TELEVISION
    Internet Television vs. IPTV
    Internet Television
    Summary
    Index

    Biography

    Gilbert Held