ABSTRACT

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a developing technology for the delivery of broadcast TV and other multimedia services over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional radio frequency broadcast, satellite signal, and cable television formats. Through IPTVwe can receive both TV and video signals along with other multimedia services by means of our Internet connection. It is nothing but a broadband connection and a system to deliver various programs of television using the Internet protocol over computer networks. IPTV provides many functions such as browsing internet on TV, movies on demand, viewing of stored program etc.,

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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.3 2. IPTV WORKING..5
2.1 DIGITIZATION 2.2 DIGITAL MEDIA COMPRESSION 2.3 SENDING PACKETS 2.4 CONVERTING PACKETS TO TELEVISION SERVICE 2.5 MANAGING THE TELEVISION CONNECTION 2.6 TRANSMISSION 3. IPTV ARCHITECTURE.9 3.1 IPTV COMPONENT 4. IPTV PROTOCOL...12 5. VIEWING IPTV..13 6. IPTV SERVICES AND FEATURE15 7. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES..18 8. CONCLUSION19 REFERENCES

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
IPTV has two components: IP and TV. IP (Internet Protocol)is a communication protocol using which datagrams are transmitted and received across an internetwork using internet protocol suite. The protocol establishes a virtual connection between a source and a destination. IP allows us to address a package of information and drop it in the system. TV (Television): specifies the medium of communication that operates through the transmission of pictures and sounds. Here we are referring to the services that are offered for the TV, like linear and on-demand programming. Hence IPTV is defined as multimedia services such as

television/video/audio/text/graphics/data delivered over IP based networks managed to provide the required level of quality of service and experience, interactivity and reliability. IPTV is entirely different from Internet video, which allows user to watch video like movie previews on his PC over Internet.Itis a system which provides digital television service to the registered consumers over a broadband connection. This service providesthe Video on demand facility and also Internet services such as web access. It provides a better experience to watch TV in a simple, Personalized and in an advanced way. IPTV enables us to personalize our view, profile, events, parental controls and account settings. With the help of EPG (Electronic Program Guide which allows easy navigation, quick program information and Pay Per View (PPV) capabilities) our DVR or PVR can be schedule for recordingprograms either once or on a

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Fig 1.1: Services provided by IPTV. recurring basis. We can get live TV notifications such as e-mail notification while watching TV. It also provides program search capabilities. Following are the advanced features provided by the IPTV: Advanced Multimedia Program Guide Integrated Broadcast, VOD and DVR Fast scrolling & navigation Live picture-in- picture Channel slide show Software-based tuning Advanced Video Applications with multiple PIP(Picture-In-Picture) Integrate Web based services Cross device applications and services

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CHAPTER 2

IPTV WORKING
Understanding how IPTV works will help us to make better choices and may help us to solve problems thatcan be caused by selecting the wrong types of technologies, equipment andservices.

2.1 DIGITIZATION: A key first step in providing IPTV service is having the media in digitalform. In IPTV audio/videos/text/picture/data are transmitted in digital format. Digitization is the conversion of analog signals into digital form. To convert analog signals to digital form, the analog signal is sampled and digitized by using an analog-to-digitalconverter (A/D converter). The A/D converter

periodicallysenses the level of the analog signal and creates a series of digital pulses that represent the level of the signal.

2.2DIGITAL MEDIA COMPRESSION: Digital media compression is a process of analyzing a digital signal and using the analysis information to convert the high-speed digital signals that represent the actual signal shape into lower-speeddigital signals that represent the actual content. This process allows IPTV service to have lower data transmission rates than standard digital video signals while providing for good quality video and audio. Digital media compression for IPTV includes digital audio compression and digital video compression.

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2.3SENDING PACKETS: Sending packets through the Internet involves routing them through the network and managing the loss of packets when they can't reach their destination. Packet routing involves the transmission of packets throughintelligent switches (called routers) that analyze the destination address ofthe packet and determine a path that will help the packet travel toward its destination. During the transmission of packets there may be a possibility of losing the packet or delay in the arrival of the packet because of the break in the transmission line or due to the congested switch condition. This can be overcome by Packet Buffering. It is a process of temporarily storing the packets, which can be used during packet transmission delay or during retransmission request.

2.4CONVERTING PACKETS TO TELEVISION SERVICE: IPTV data packets are converted back to television signals via

gateways.Gateways may interconnect IPTV service to a television network or they may convert the signals directly to a television signal format. A television gateway (an adapter box) is a communications device or assemblythat transforms audio and video that is received from a television media server (IPTV signal source) into a format that can be used by a viewer.

2.5 MANAGING THE TELEVISION CONNECTIONS: Middleware software controls the setup, connection, feature operation, anddisconnection of television channels connected through the data network. Middleware controls the media servers and gateways that provide media to the viewing devices. IPTV systems manage the downloading or streaming of IPTV signals to the consumer and may manage the selection (switching) of the media source.
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2.6 TRANSMISSION: IP Television channel transmission is a process of transferring the television media from a media server to the customer. IP Television channel transmission is of two types Unicast and Multicast. In Unicast communication, data is delivered to a single customer within a network. The relationship is one to many.In unicasting the router forwards the received packet through only one of its interface.This service is very simple to implement. Each user in the network is given the same address to connect to when they desire to access that media. The use of unicast transmission is not efficient when many users are receiving the same information at the same time because a separate connection for each user must be maintained. Figure below shows a unicast transmission.

Fig 2.1: IPTV Unicast transmission.

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In Multicast communication, there is one source and group of destination. The relationship is one-to-many. In this type of communication, the source address is a unicast address, but the destination address is a group address, which defines one or more destination.As asignal travels through a communication network, it is copied at nodes within the network for distribution to other nodes within the network Here router may forward the received packet through several of its interface. Figure below shows a multicast transmission.

Fig 2.2: IPTV Multicast transmission.

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CHAPTER 3

IPTV ARCHITECTURE
Figure below illustrates a generic IPTV system architecture to support applications such as digital (broadcast) television and Video on Demand (VoD).The generic IPTV architecture is utilized here as a baseline reference to discuss IPTV distribution in-home networks.

Fig 3.1: IPTV system architecture.

IPTV operators receive digital satellite channels by satellite antenna. The channels are routed to the transmission centers signal Converter equipment, which converts the television content to an IP network-compatible format and transmits it into homes via operatorsaccess Networks.

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3.1 IPTV COMPONENTS: Video Head End As with a digital cable or digital satellite television system, an IPTV service requires a video head end. This is the point in the network at which linear (e.g., broadcast TV) and on-demand (e.g., movies) content is captured and formatted for distribution over the IP network. A head end takes each individual channel and encodes it into a digital video format, like MPEG-2. Broadband service providers are also beginning to use MPEG-4 based encoding, which has lower bit-rate requirements for encoding television signals. After encoding, each channel is encapsulated into IP and sent out over thenetwork. These channels are typically IP multicast streams or may be anIP unicast streams as well.

Video Server Video servers are computer-based devices connected to large storagesystems. Video content, previously encoded, is stored either on disk or in large banks of RAM. Video servers stream video and audio content via unicast or multicast to STBs. Typical storage systems range from 5 terabit (Tb) to 20 Tb. Video servers are mostly used for VoD; however, they are also used for NPVR, which allows subscribers to record shows remotely on a device.

The Service Providers Network The grouping of encoded video streams, representing the channel lineup, istransported over the service providers IP network. Each of these networks is unique to the service provider and usually includes equipment from multiple vendors. These networks can be a mix of well-engineered existing IP networks and purpose-built IP networks for video transport.

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The Access Network The access network is the link from the service provider to the individualhousehold. The broadband connection between the service provider and the household can be accomplished using a variety of technologies. IPTV networks will use variants of asymmetrical DSL (ADSL) and very-high-speed DSL (VDSL) to provide the required bandwidth to run an IPTV service to the household. The service provider will place a device (like a DSL modem) at the customer premises to deliver an Ethernet connection to the home network.

Middleware: The IPTV enabler Middleware is the software and hardware infrastructure that connects thecomponents of an IPTV solution. It is a distributed operating system that runs both on servers and on the STBs. And also it performs end-to-end configuration, provisions the video servers, links the electronic program guide (EPG) with the content, acts as a boot server for the STB and ensures that all STBs run compatible software.

Set Top Box (STB)/Terminal An IP set top box is an electronic device that adapts IP television data into aformat that is accessible by the end user. The output of an IP set top box can be a television RF channel or digital video signals. IP set top boxes are commonly located in a customer's home to allow the reception of IP video signals on a television or computer for live TV and VoD. The STB supports an EPG that allows the users tonavigate through the programming. The STB transforms a digitalcompressed signal into a signal that is sent to the TV. The STB is the center of the communicationinfrastructure within the home.

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CHAPTER 4

IPTV PROTOCOLS
IPTV can deliver the services like live TV and stored video (Video on Demand).The playbackof IPTV requires either a personal computer or a set-topbox connected to a TV. Video content is typically compressed using either a MPEG-2 or a MPEG-4 (Motion Picture Experts Group) codec and then sent in an MPEG transport stream delivered via IP Multicast in case of live TV or via IP Unicast in case of video on demand. Live IPTV uses IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) to get connected to a multicast stream and to change from one multicast stream to another and the protocol PIM (Protocol Independent Multicast) to route the multicast stream from one LAN to another.VOD (Video On Demand) uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) or RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) protocols for channel streams and control is done using the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol).

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CHAPTER 5

VIEWING IPTV
IP television channels can be viewed on a computer, standard television using an adapter, on a dedicated IP television.

Computer A computer is a data processing device that is capable of using and processing multiple forms of media such as audio, data and video. Since we canprocess audio, video and data on the computer and also we can connect it to Internet, it is possible to view the IPTV channels on the computer using some additional media player software. The media player must be able to find and connect to IPTV media servers, process compressed media signals, maintain a connection and process television control features. Control of the IP television on a computer may be performed by the keyboard, mouse, or external device (such as a remote control) that may be connected to the computer through an adapter (such as Bluetooth receiver). Theprocessing 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 or error boxes. The burden of processing video signals may be decreased by using a video accelerator card that has MPEG decoding capability.

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Analog Television Adapters (ATVA) Analog Television Adapters are the devices which converts the digital signal to analog television format (NTSC or PAL). Using these adapters it is possible to view the IPTV channels on the standard television, which are sent over a broadband connection. These adapters are called as IP Set top box. These devices will be containing necessary software and hardware components to convert the digital signals to analog signal which are compatible for standard televisions.

IP Television IP televisions are the devices that are specifically designed to receive and decode television channels through the Internet without using any adapter.IP televisions contain embeddedsoftware that allows them to initiate and receive television through the Internet. An IP television has a data connection instead of a television tuner.

Fig 5.1: IPTV viewing devices.

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CHAPTER 6

IPTV SERVICES AND FEATURES

IPTV can provide the basic television services and features. In addition to that it can provide advanced features and services that are not possible with traditional broadcast television systems.

Television Programming Television broadcast services are the transmission of television

programmaterial. Television programming may be live, scheduled or on-demand programming. Live television broadcasting is the transmission of video and audio from one geographic area to another in real time or near-real time (delayed by fewseconds). Scheduled programming is the providing of television programs in a pre-selected time sequence. On demand programming is providing available programs that users can interactively request and receive.

Enterprise (Company) Television Enterprise programming is media that is created and managed by a company, which is created to view its programming content. Company television may be produced for the public or for internal communication purposes. Public company television channels may provide information about products, services or applications of the products or services of the companythat are of interest to the public. Internal company television programs may be used to provide employees with educational and company specific information.

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Gaming IPTV also provides gaming service to the customer. Gaming services provided may include online gaming service, and multi-user network gaming.The user can also download the games.

Security Monitoring Traditional security systems use proprietary sensing and

transmissionequipment, have limited control processing capabilities, and have interconnections that are limited to local geographic areas. The use of IPTV systems connected through standard data networks allows for the sending of media (digital video) and provides powerful security system processing in a serverand wide area connectivity. IPTV access devices contain connection points (such as USB connections) that allow for digital video signals to be sent through the IPTV system to a monitoring system. These monitoring systems can be owned and operated by the IPTV system operator or they can be monitoring stations operated and managed by other companies.

Advertising One of the most complicated areas for IPTV canbe the management of advertising services. Advertising management is the process of creating, presenting, managing, purchasing and reporting of advertising programs. Because advertising services on IPTV systems can range from broadcast advertising (to all people in a geographic area) to customized addressable advertising (custom ads for specific viewers), advertising management can be a complex but yet a very profitable process.

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Advertising messages are of three types interstitial, mixed media andinteractive media. An interstitial ad is an advertising message that is inserted in between program segments. Interstitial ads can also be pop-ups (when selecting a new channel) and pop-downs (when exiting a selected program). Mixed media advertising is the combining of advertising media along with other video and text graphics on a television. Interactive advertising is the process of allowing a user to select or interact with an advertising message.

Television Commerce Television commerce (t-commerce) is a shopping medium that uses a televisionnetwork to present products and process orders. The processes that used in t-commerce include advanced product offering catalogs, order processing, exchanging of order information between companies in near real-time. Key issues for IPTV t-commerce billing include transferring account details through multiple systems that transfer between multiple companies that allow for presentation, processing and payment of orders.

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CHAPTER 7

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages: 1). IPTV provides a new level of interacting with the Internet. It provides the services which were previously unavailable over stacked network like video on demand. 2). It provides the ability to integrate television with other IP-based services like high speed Internet access. 3). A number of channels can be beamed to the viewer. 4). Transmission of data packets are done over a secured network. 5). Video broadcasts made through IPTV areautomatically archived in Real Media format, which is stored on a real server. This facility allows the customer, who could not view the broadcast,can view it later. 6). In switched IP network content remains in the network, and only the content the customer selects is sent into the customers home.

Disadvantages: 1). Cost of installation is high. 2). IPTV is sensitive to packet loss and delays if the streamed data is unreliable. 3). IPTV should have minimum speed to transmit the right number of frames per second to deliver moving picture. 4). If there is a large number of an IPTV customer under a limited speed network, then the quality of service provided will reduce.

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CHAPTER 8

CONCLUSION
IPTV can change the way people receive video programming. Consumers can benefit greatly from IPTV services by getting the contents of their choice. Using the Video ON Demand service, consumers get what they want to see. IPTV also provides the services like storing programs. If the customer was not able to watch the broadcasting of a program, he can store it and can watch it later. But if HDTV service is to be provided it is not possible to use MPEG-2 encoding because it requires too much bandwidth, instead MPEG-4 encoding can be used, but the problem with MPEG-4 is that it requires a lot of processing power and that makes the set-top boxes very expensive. IPTV with NGN is the future of IPTV. Next Generation Network (NGN) is defined as the packet based network which can handle heavy traffic. It enables the service provider to deliver their heavy media content through the network.

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REFERENCES
Behrouz A. Forouzan, Data Communication and Networking. Lawrence Harte, IPTV Basics. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPTV http://nerdalley.com/2011/08/09/iptv-today-and-in-the-future/

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