Well, to make this easy to understand, IPTV is the same, only with television over internet protocol, instead of voice. Ultimately, TV can be watched anywhere through a broadband connection with IPTV, which makes it a very popular choice for those looking for the latest and greatest in new technology. Telecommunications companies are looking for new revenue, and they have found it with this process.

IPTV technology is based around a similar system to that of cable. There is the need for a computer or a set-top box of sorts so that the images can be transmitted, decoded, and then sent out to the television in a format that can show them properly on the screen. This type of broadcasting can be done by a simple broadcast or multicast if someone is trying to get a channel out to everyone. However, it can also be done on an 'on demand' basis, where people are able to stream material to just one or two subscribers who have requested the show or material in question.

Maintaining The Technology

There is a lot of work and technology that goes into maintaining IPTV technology. Streaming over broadband needs to be done efficiently and in a format that will allow for the seamless transition of the data that is being sent. The process for using IPTV involves lots of splitting, encoding and distributing efficiently. The provider end is very complicated, but for customers it is a simple tool to use. Channel selection for IPTV is executed via a membership format known as IPGMP, or IP Group Membership Protocol. Due to the data transmission, this makes sending multiple channel signals and changing channels much simpler than it might be otherwise.

The New Kid On The Block

IPTV technology is still relatively new, but it is a popular item for those who are looking for the latest technology. Of course the quality of service is vitally important to the customers, and is something that must be maintained correctly in order to make the service a viable means of viewing television. As the popularity of IPTV increases and so does the number of users, the improvements and quality of the services provided will follow suit. In time, providers will have a lucrative new way to attract business when other products are growing stale.

The author is based in England and works in the new media industry. He highly recommends visiting the Tvoverlan.com website for further details on IPTV and also ESC Digital Media for excellent information on IPTV Services.