Glossary A–ZLetter I
IPTV
IPTV (internet protocol television) refers to transmitting TV channels over a data network based on the internet protocol, instead of via aerial, cable or satellite.
In buildings, a central receiving point distributes the channels over the in-house network.
In hotels, hospitals, stadiums and companies, a headend receives TV channels and converts them into data streams. Televisions and players on the network request these streams. Multicast is often used, a method in which one data stream goes to many receivers at once without loading the network separately for each. TV channels and in-house content thus run on the same devices.
IPTV puts a constant load on the network. Network components must support multicast and be configured correctly, otherwise other services are disrupted. TV channels are often encrypted and may only be redistributed with the appropriate rights. Operators should separate IPTV from other data traffic on the network.