The new technology known as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a technology that enables digital television services to be delivered to customer relying on Internet Protocol through a broadband connection (Whitney 1). Instead of being delivered through traditional television distribution technologies (terrestrial, cable, and satellite), IPTV is delivered to consumers through the same technologies used for the World Wide Web. IPTV is able to deliver both live and stored video, commonly known as video on demand (VOD). To playback IPTV, consumers need a personal computer or a set-top box connected to their television. The video content of ITP is currently in MPEG2TS format deliver with Internet Protocol Multicast, a means of sending information to different computers at the same time (Frater A2). A new format known as H.264 is being developed to replace MPEG2TS, however (Frater A2). In IPTV standards-based systems, the typical protocol used for IPTV is IGMP version to for channel change signaling with live television and RTSP for VOD. While conventional television technologies like terrestrial and satellite cannot deliver IPTV, cable television can be upgraded to two-way capability so that it can offer IPTV.
IPTV is an emerging technology that in future will be developed to enable a totally interactive experience. There are a number of advantages to IPTV compared to traditional delivery of digital television services. IPTV is capable to two-way capacity which is lacking in conventional television distribution technologies. IPTV also provides for point-to-point distribution of television service, meaning that each consumer can view individual broadcasts. In so doing, consumers are able to control the stream of television services by pausing, rewinding, or otherwise controlling stream. IPTV also offers a service concept known as ôtriple play,ö which provides consumers with telephone, data, and video delivery (Turner 10)...