feature iptv/hybrid tv
or broadcaster IPTV services like BBC iPlayer, as well some of the content offered by various developing hybrid TV services.
This distinction between Internet and Building IPTV is critical, for it is the foundation of some of Building IPTV’s most compelling benefits for organisations. By contrast to the Internet, local organisational networks, whether they span a building, a campus or a metropolitan area, offer a far superior environment for video. The traffic on organisational networks usually consumes only a fraction of the internal bandwidth available. The rapid growth of Building IPTV is due in a large part to the realisation that organisations can use this excess capacity for video to reap the benefits of organisational TV and video with superior image quality while getting an even better return on their network investments.
Building IPTV components
Let’s take a brief look at the components of a Building IPTV solution before reviewing the other major benefits of this technology. • Content Source: collectively called the ‘head-end’, specialised network servers such as TV gateways or encoders provide TV channels, video, or audio as MPEG streams. Head-end devices may supply channels from many different sources, including: Digital video from terrestrial TV or satellites (free or encrypted pay services).
Video playback (DVD or Blu-ray players, or videotape machines for backward compatibility). VoD servers for on-demand or scheduled content (eg to supply specialised programming via in-house TV channels).
Video cameras (eg for security, safety, or quality control monitoring). Digital signage players (eg for lobby displays, informational signage, or digital bulletin boards).
• Content Distribution: the same network used for data and often phone services (VoIP). This reduces capital and operational expenses by eliminating the need for traditional coaxial, analogue distribution systems whose reach is limited and which cannot support high definition video. • Content Display: a Building IPTV solution can deliver content to users over many different devices, including: TVs, both existing analogue sets and new digital sets; Personal computers; AV projectors and other
36 l ibe l march/april 2010 l www.ibeweb.com
The most exciting
thing about Building IPTV is that it’s impossible to predict what new applications will really take hold, or where. For instance, in one London office
building, the elevators are now
equipped with displays that show local news on the way up, and London Underground schedules on the way down!
With
Building IPTV, only one thing is certain: what’s leading- edge today will be taken for granted tomorrow, so no one in the industry can rest on their laurels.
large screen displays; and Intelligent white boards (eg SMART). For TV and other AV displays, Building IPTV uses IPTV receivers to translate the MPEG stream into the appropriate format. This furnishes backwards compatibility with existing analogue sets while supporting new digital sets, so the digital switchover is not an issue. Organisations can take their time upgrading TV sets and AV displays as their budget permits and extend the life of their existing display devices.
For personal computers, content can be displayed via a browser or, for more control and integration with existing applications, an IPTV client. An advanced IPTV client can also transform a PC into a personal video recorder designed for organisational use.
The benefits of Building IPTV for organisations
Beyond the improved return on network investments and reduced budgetary impact from the digital switchover, Building IPTV offers many more benefits to organisations: • Top-quality video for higher impact. Users expect the same or better quality than their home DVD systems deliver. Building IPTV can deliver up HD video to users anywhere on the network without picture degradation.
• Superior flexibility for fast response to market opportunities or budget availability. Adding new TV and video sources is as simple as connecting another head-end server to the network, and displays may be connected to any point on the network. Organisations can start small and build out the solution as their schedule and budget dictate. • Better control of bandwidth use for lower cost. All TV and video available to users comes from internal sources (head-end servers), not through the Internet gateway, so Internet bandwidth is preserved for critical business use. In addition, Building IPTV makes highly efficient use of internal bandwidth. • Improved security and content control. Since all sources are internal, only those programmes and sources that serve organisational purposes are available, eliminating the security and regulatory concerns often associated with Internet TV sites. In addition, access to TV and video can be controlled on a per-user or group basis like any other network resource. • TV and video integrated into
desktop computing. IPTV software enables any PC to display multiple TV and video channels on screen with other applications, immediately extending the reach of existing TV and video assets at a very low cost. • Lower management costs and faster problem resolution. Eliminating the need for an analogue network just for TV and video simplifies management. Most network management solutions can supply information on how video is using bandwidth. Advanced Building IPTV solutions offer management applications to help quickly resolve any channel or display issues. • Green technology. By eliminating the need for a parallel analogue video infrastructure, Building IPTV lowers power consumption and spares the environmental costs associated with additional cabling and equipment. Many IPTV solutions offer blade server head-end devices for additional energy and cooling efficiency.
The converging future of Building IPTV
Like Hybrid TV, Building IPTV is all about extending the reach of TV and video and integrating them with other information sources. Because of its organisational focus, Building IPTV already places a premium on the ability to integrate with existing applications, such as hotel property management systems, healthcare patient information systems, and the like. Such integration will only increase as the benefits of Building IPTV impact more and more industries. The most exciting thing about Building IPTV is that it’s impossible to predict what new applications will really take hold, or where. For instance, in one London office building, the elevators are now equipped with displays that show local news on the way up, and London Underground schedules on the way down! Ever more powerful mobile devices represent another frontier for Building IPTV. As wireless LAN technology improves, it will become possible to provide specialised on-site channels to visitor mobile devices, a capability of special interest to industries focused on consumer services, such as transport, stadiums and event venues, retail and the like. With Building IPTV, only one thing is certain: what’s leading-edge today will be taken for granted tomorrow, so no one in the industry can rest on their laurels.
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