Due to the advancements in technology and the widespread availability of Internet connections, the landscape of video playback, including movies and TV series, has undergone significant transformations in recent years. The predominant choice for a vast number of users worldwide is streaming content, which offers various means of access.
Over the years, one of the prevailing methods to enjoy a wide range of multimedia content has been through IPTV services. This term, derived from “Internet Protocol Television,” refers to the technology that facilitates the distribution of video signals via IP over broadband connections.
What are IPTV services
Many of us may unknowingly have access to services of this nature, as they are commonly used by ADSL and fiber operators to deliver their television offerings. To view the content on our TVs, it is often necessary to employ a decoder that receives the transmitted content. Alternatively, various mobile applications or computer programs can be utilized to play these IPTV streams.
Furthermore, independent of the operators, we have the option to subscribe to IPTV services through content providers. This allows us to access television channels from around the world, typically distributed in the H264 video format. Some platforms may also utilize the MPEG-4 format for signal transmission. These services rely on IP servers to deliver multiple video streams concurrently.
The aforementioned capabilities enable IPTV platforms to facilitate bidirectional content flow, session data control, customer billing, and more. However, it is crucial not to confuse these described IPTV services with the ones known as OTT (Over-the-Top). Consequently, let’s delve into the distinction between the two, ensuring a clear understanding of the video streaming platform that best suits your interests.
Differences with OTTs
As mentioned earlier, we now have various sources and platforms available for video content playback. It is crucial to differentiate between IPTV services and OTT platforms. OTT refers to well-known streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+.
While initially these two systems may seem similar, they function differently with notable distinctions. IPTV services, for instance, reserve bandwidth to ensure the quality of client transmissions. In contrast, OTT platforms do not reserve connection bandwidth. Consequently, video traffic from these services is mixed with other internet traffic. OTTs operate independently of telephone operators, allowing access to their content from any provider through dedicated applications and web services, similar to the offerings of companies like Netflix.
