You can compare the IPTV working style to browsing the internet. The IPTV providers utilize the internet protocol as a transport protocol that delivers the content to the viewers. Whenever the viewer clicks on a particular television program or requests a video, the video from a different server is then split into a data packet that is then sent over the internet to the viewer.
Video servers transmit programs using the fiber optic cable to the household through an internet connection. The requests are then sent out, which then prompts the shows to be sent back. You must understand the IPTV architecture to understand how it works.
IPTV architecture
Depending on the IPTV providersnetwork architecture, there are two IPTV architecture that can be considered paramount for the deployment of IPTV: distributed and centralized.
Centralized architecture
It is a model that is somehow easy and simple to manage solution. Since all media content happens to be stored on centralized servers, it doesn’t require a comprehensive content distribution system. Centralized architecture tends to be good for IPTV providersnetworks providing deployment for small VoD services, has an edge bandwidth, and adequate care with an efficient system for content delivery.
Distributed architecture
It is as scalable as the centralized model but with an inherent system management and bandwidth usage management feature, which is essential for managing a network with a large server. For IPTV providersthat plan to deploy a relatively large system, they have to consider going for the distributed architecture model from the beginning.
Distributed architecture requires sophisticated and intelligent content distribution technology to support effective multimedia content delivery over the network of the IPTV providers.
A typical IPTV network
The content that is broadcasted from local antennas and satellites is received through the central unit. Live television channels and AV sources encrypt, encode, and deliver in the central unit in the IP streams multicast form.
The advertising servers, video-on-demand platforms, and servers, live television streaming servers are also contained in the central unit and it is also where assets for on-demand videos are stored as well as serv as IP unicast streams whenever there is a demand from a user.
The platform for VoD might sometime be located with and be part of the central unit of the IPTV. The requested TV channels and videos are sent to the viewer through the delivery network that comprises of a robust internet uplink through fiber optic that comes from the end of the IPTV broadcaster.
The viewer will then be able to receive the signal from their end through their preferred or local internet service provider that varies in a range of options such as fiber optic, broadband, DSL, and much more.
When a viewer subscribes toIPTV providers, they are given the service provider’s specific set-top box. The set-top box refers to endpoint equipment used for decoding and encrypting VoD and TV for television screen display. The STB is conncted to the internet connection via a router and utilizes the internet to be able to deliver the television and video to the viewer.