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IP television channels can be viewed on a multimedia computer,
standard television using an adapter, on a dedicated IP television, or on a mobile device. Multimedia
Computer A multimedia computer is a data processing device that is capable of using and processing multiple forms of media such as audio, data and video. Because many computers are already multimedia and Internet ready, it is often possible to use a multimedia computer to watch IP television through the addition or use of media player software. The media player must be able to find and connect to IP television media servers, process compressed media signals, maintain a connection, and process television control features. Control of the IP television on a multimedia computer may be per-formed by the keyboard, mouse, or external telephone accessory device (such as a remote control) that may be connected to the com-puter through an adapter (such as an infrared receiver). The media player software controls the sound card, accessories (such as a hand-set), and manages the call connection. IP television signals may be able to be displayed on a multimedia device
provided it has enough processing power (processing speed) and the
necessary media player protocols and signal decompression coders. IP
television signals contain compressed audio and video along with control
protocols. These signals must be received, decoded and processed. The
processing power of the computer may be a limitation for receiving and
displaying IP television signals. This may become more apparent when IP
television is taken from its small format to full screen video format.
Full screen display requires the processor to not only decode the images
but also to scale the images to the full screen display size. This may
result in pixilation (jittery squares) or error boxes. The burden of
processing video signals may be decreased by using a video accelerator
card that has MPEG decoding capability. A media player must also have compatible control protocols. Just because the
media player can receive and decode digital video and digital audio
signals, the control protocols (e.g. commands for start, stop, |
and play) may be in a protocol language that the media player cannot understand.
Analog Television Adapters (ATVA)
Analog television adapters are devices designed to convert digital broadband signals into analog television formats (e.g. NTSC or PAL). Using ATVAs, it is possible to use standard televisions for viewing television channels that are sent over data network such as the Internet. Analog television adapters are commonly called "IP Set top boxes." An ATVA is basically a dedicated mini computer which contains the necessary software and hardware to convert and control IP
television signals. Analog television adapters (ATVA) must convert digital broadband media channels into the television (audio and video signals) and decode and create the necessary control signals that pass between the ATVA and media gateways.
IP Television (IPTV)
IP televisions are television display devices that are specifically designed to receive and decode television channels through the Internet without the need for adapter boxes or media gateways. IP televisions contain embedded software that allows them to initiate and receive television through the Internet using multimedia session protocols such as SIP. |
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This article is Part 2 of a 9
Part Series |
| Series
Article List |
Month |
| What is IPTV |
Jul |
| Viewing IP Television |
Aug |
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IPTV Features & Services |
Sep |
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How IPTV Systems Work |
Oct |
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IPTV Networks |
Nov |
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Access Systems for IPTV |
Dec |
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IPTV Quality |
Jan |
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IPTV Premises Distribution |
Feb |
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IPTV Service Provider Costs |
Mar |
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An IP television has a data connection instead of a television tuner. IP televisions also include the necessary software and hardware to convert and control IP television signals into a format that can be displayed on the IP television (e.g. picture tube or plasma display). Mobile Telephone Television Mobile telephones with multimedia capabilities may be able to watch television channels. Mobile telephones have limited information pro-cessing power, limited displays, and may have restricted access to Internet services.
Multimedia mobile telephones contain embedded software that allow them to initiate and receive multimedia communication sessions through the Internet. Because of the limited bandwidth and higher cost of bandwidth for mobile telephones, mobile telephone media players may use compression and protocols that are more efficient than those used by standard IP television systems. To increase the efficiency, mobile telephone data sessions may be connected through gateways that compress media signals and convert standard control protocols to more efficient and robust control protocols. This may cause some incompatibilities or unexpected operation for mobile television systems.
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Control over IP Television Services IP television network systems usually provide you with more direct control over television services. IP television service is typically
activated and changed directly through a screen display or Internet web page. Instead of using a customer service representative (CSR) from the television company, the user may be able to setup IP television ser-vices directly. These changes such as service activation and feature addition/deletions can have immediate results. Instant Activation Instant activation is the process of obtaining service immediately after applying for service. If you already have access to a data connection, service activation for services that use the data link for connections (such as Internet Television service) can be instant.
Figure 1.1 shows how it is possible for a user or company system administrator to instantly activate a new IP television service. In this example, the ITVSP has created a web access page that allows the user to self activate themselves. After the user has provided the necessary information, such as the billing address and method of payment, account identification codes can be provided manually to the user or they may be automatically entered into the IP television viewer. The |
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Figure 1.1.,IPTV Instant Activation |
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Figure 1.2., IP Television Real Time Accounting and Billing
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user can then select feature preferences such as preferred television channels and viewer profile. Real Time Accounting and Billing Real time accounting and billing is the process of gathering, rating, and displaying (posting) of account information either at the time of service request or within a short time afterwards (may be several
minutes). IP television service commonly allows for real time billing for tracking of IP television calls.
Figure 1.2 shows how IP television service can provide real time accounting and billing records immediately after they are created (in real time). This example shows how the IP television service provider keeps track of each channel (or premium channel used). It uses the television channel setup and termination information to adjust the accounting and billing information. In this example, these charges or usage amounts can be displayed immediately through on the IP television viewer or through an Internet web page. |
Channel Selection IP television channel selection is the process of finding and connecting to an IP television data address (IP address) so it can receive and decode a television or media channel.
It is possible for viewers to direct connect to IP television channels if they know the URL or IP address (web link). Although the viewer may have the address or the URL of the IP television channel (a media server), the viewer may not be authorized to connect to the channel at that address. Owners of IP television media can restrict access to paying customers. Authorization codes are typically pre-established by viewers or companies that provide IP television services to viewers.
IP television service providers provide a selection screen or device that allows users to find and select IP television channels. Because it is difficult for viewers to remember or organize URLs and IP addresses, channel selection screens usually have more descriptive information such as channel numbers, network names and show titles. While it is possible to have IP television service that uses channel numbers that are identical to standard cable television systems, IP
television service providers (ITVSPs) offer many new ways to find and select television channels. |
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dynamically allow the user to filter through program guides by theme, time
period, or other criteria. Viewers are also able to connect to IP
television channels through the use of a web link on web pages or
through a link that is sent (embedded) in emails.
Figure 1.3 shows some of the different ways a user can find and select IP
television channels. While it is possible for IP television systems to use channel numbers for the selection of IP television channels,
this example shows that there are several new, more effective ways
to search and select channels. The user can search for channels by
favorites, country, actor name, show title, network provider and category. The user can also select from the channel numbers offered by their IP television provider. |
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Figure 1.3., IP Television Channel
Selection |
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IP television service providers usually provide an electronic programming guide (EPG) as an interface (portal) that allows a customer to preview and select from possible lists of available content media. EPGs
can vary from simple program selection to interactive filters that |
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