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.
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