Interactive television is your favorite movies and programs at a convenient time and without annoying advertising, a good signal in any weather and for a nominal fee. In some local networks, it comes as a nice bonus for subscribers. We invite you to familiarize yourself with this technology, the features of its use and the settings for the lists of IPTV channels.
IPTV General Information
IPTV technology is based on the transmission of a Multicast video stream. This is a broadcast transmission from one point to many subscribers. The provider providing Internet TV services has equipment for receiving satellite or cable. It is connected to a media server that transmits mpeg2, mpeg4, mpg data. It is also possible to broadcast high-definition HD video via the Internet.
IPTV is called interactive television, as users can choose the list of films and programs they watch, use delayed viewing, "parental control". There is a karaoke function and other features that the provider provides in real time.
Everyone hasIPTV user has its own geo-referencing. Based on it, the operator improves the quality of service:
- selects targeted advertising for clients;
- controls the rating of broadcasts;
- keeps records of active connection points.
Internet TV reception
An ordinary computer, as well as an STB set-top box (IPTV tuner) can be used to receive a signal. It converts the data packets received over the network into a video signal for the TV. IPTV can be viewed even with only one tulip or RCA connector. But only via STB-box.
SmartTV equipped TVs do not need an additional receiver. The conversion of data packets into a video signal occurs directly in the motherboard.
STB-box is a hardware IPTV signal decoder. In a computer, its role is played by software. For broadcasting in IPTV format, the bandwidth of the Internet channel is only 10 Mbps. There is no need to wait until the entire video file is downloaded to the subscriber device. Playback goes directly in real time and as internet packets arrive.
That's why IPTV is called "video streaming". The bandwidth of an ordinary twisted pair cable is sufficient for high-quality viewing of programs and movies. At the same time, it does not require additional connections of auxiliary equipment, except for an STB signal decoder or an IP tuner.
Features of using IPTV through a router or ADSL modem
Internet TV always broadcasts in groups. The video stream is simultaneously sent to all devices on the local network connected to the router or modem. To avoid problems with overloading the router, it must support the IGMP, or Multicast function. If STB-box is used, it is necessary to allocate a separate port of the router for the set-top box, and also add channel lists to its IPTV parameters.
The IGMP standard only works on IPv4 networks. In IPv6, Multicast is implemented differently. If there is no IPTV / IGMP enable point in the router or modem, and the model supports this function, then you should update the firmware from the manufacturer's website.
Setting up a router for digital TV
Here are some examples of configuring routers from different manufacturers for IPTV, with STB-box.
For TP-link:
- In the browser line, type the standard login address.
- Username is admin, password is admin.
- Network section, Bridge subsection.
- Line - "LAN port, in the "Bridge" mode with WAN" select the desired port under the STB-box.
For ZyXEL:
- In the browser line, type the standard login address.
- Username is admin, password is 1234.
- On the left, select "Home network", subgroup "IP-TV".
- "Assign LAN connector", line "TVport mode".
- Next, in the "Connector for the receiver" select the desired port.
For NetGear:
- In the browser line, type the standard login address.
- Username - admin",password – password.
- On the left side of the Quick Jump Menu page. In it, mark the "Settings" submenu, and then "Internet port settings".
- In the subparagraph "Redirect the stream for the set-top box to" the desired port is written.
For ASUS:
- In the browser line, type the standard login address.
- Username is admin, password is admin.
- Select "Local network" on the left side of the list.
- In the window that opens, select "IPTV". In the "STB port selection" line, specify the port required for the STB-box from the proposed ones.
The username and password are correct for the default settings. In other cases, the parameters set by the user are used.
Set up IPTV channel list
The most common IPTV channel list format is m3u. Represents a playback file for Windows Media Player. Its content is not always in the interests of the user, but it is editable. Setting up an IPTV channel list in m3u-format comes down to deleting unnecessary programs.
Another channel viewer is the IPTV Player program. To use it, you need to add it to the list of antivirus exclusions. If you experience difficulties with the configuration, it is recommended to disable the firewall.
Interactive TV Features
To attract new users of Internet TV services, providers often post IPTV playlists on their websites - m3u channel lists for free. Future clients get to knowopportunities and benefits of technology.
Free channels of various local networks are very popular, in which Internet TV is broadcast as a bonus to connected subscribers on an ongoing basis. The web channel list for IPTV is provided by the provider, but it can also be downloaded from the Internet. In search engines, you can easily find links that provide access to both the lists themselves and instructions for creating or editing them.
Distribution and popularity
At the moment, the number of providers providing IPTV services is growing every month. The advantages of Internet TV over terrestrial and satellite is the absence of antennas and cables. Also, independence from weather conditions, no attachment to a fixed program guide, the ability to choose films to watch.
There are quite a lot of interesting programs and films in free broadcasts. As an example, the provider "Triolan". IPTV makes the list of channels public and regularly auto-updates, expanding the amount of available content.
IPTV is a new stage in the development of telecommunications, along with IP-telephony, based on an Internet connection. Trends in the development of interactive television demonstrate its active growth and demand.
