IPTV is a term that you generally recognize as the internet TV. Instead of receiving the broadcast signals to your traditional TV set through a satellite network, IPTV gives you the facility to watch the live streaming and videos through an internet connection. For this, one needs to subscribe to one of the IPTV providers who will then give them access to the selected channels. These channels and all the content can be watched live on any supported device through a broadband internet connection.
If you are planning to buy an IPTV, you must first know about different types of it.
Types of IPTV
IPTV can be broadly classified into three categories – Video on demand, Live IPTV, and recordable IPTV. Although the names are pretty much explaining, we will try to understand each one of them in more detail here.
Video on Demand (VOD): This is the most commonly used and most affordable IPTV service where you only pay for the videos or movies that you want to watch. Netflix is one example of this type of IPTV solutions. You select a video to watch, pay for it and then watch it online on a supported device.
Time-shifted IPTV: This is another popular IPTV service provided by many media channels and broadcasting companies. In this, the company allows subscribed users to watch the old recorded videos anytime on the internet. IPTV users can also record their favorite TV shows and movies to watch them later.
Live IPTV: This involves watching live videos and programs as they are broadcasted on the internet. Most web TV channels provide users the facility to watch live broadcasted programs and videos on the internet.
IPTV channels can be watched on any screen-based device, such as a computer, mobile phone, set-top box, etc. A service provider can deliver the IPTV services over a public or dedicated digital network.
To use of an IPTV system, you’ll need a set-top box and a screen. The set-top box is used to arrange the channels, settings, and to interact with the service provider when needed. The screen can be used to watch the live or on-demand videos according to your subscription.