IP TV : What is IPTV

What is IP TV? IP TV means Internet Protocol Television, basically IP TV uses the Internet infra structure to send out TV signals to your home or office. IP TV has appeared as an alternative to the traditional systems available: cable, satellite and radio frequency broadcast.

I have been using this service for a year or so, it's really changed my whole life style regarding television viewing and much much more. At home we have several TV sets although some of them usually have several types of viewers, me, the wife and the kids. Believe it or not, each one of us has different TV viewing habits, so what changed?

IP TV services can be divided into these main groups:

1. Live TV transmission, the quantity of interaction shows have grown immense, during the World Cup we had several optional cameras that we could select, and we even got the Vuvuzela sound remover.
2. Video on Demand: I have an online video rental store at my disposal, just a few clicks and I can watch any movie, no wonder blockbuster got pounded, this technology basically kills the off-line rental shops.
3. Internet Integration: I have direct access to my facebook, flickr, news, football reviews, etc.etc. all on my tv set and free
4. Games: well it comes with a few games installed, but with fibre optics these area will explode in possibilities, it has a lot to offer.
   
5. Programming and TV show access, in this group you can find a few things that can be done with IP TV:

• With the DVR technology I can set the recorder to tape all my favorite shows, and check for several schedules, so basically I don't wait around any more for a certain show, and I fast forward through the painful commercials, and I can view these shows on any TV in the household
• I can review a scene that I'm currently watching, can play it again, it has a 1 hour online automatic saving system.
• I can watch a program I missed, they usually have an archive with the shows that has passed during the day
• I can set my taping schedules through the Internet, that means I don't even have to be home to get my DVR to tape a certain program.
  

IP TV has changed my TV viewing habits, and really has contributed for a more healthy life, everyone has adapted really well to this technology. If you haven't come across this technology I strongly advise you to see its potential, although other technologies available have some potential also.