7 Things to Know About IPTV - UrbanMatter

Modern times have seen a rise in streaming services that make viewing our favorite shows extremely easy. No longer do people have to be subscribed to a certain channel, or wait for hours on end to view shows. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a similar service wherein people watch TV using an internet connection. 

It is not exactly like a streaming subscription like Netflix or Hulu, where the options are limited, but your television is connected through fiber-optic cable to the internet, where you get to view shows normally. However, IPTV does require a good connection, a set-top box, and the latest kind of TV set known as 'smart TVs'. 

Read on to know more about this amazing service!

• IPTV Has Three Flexible Formats

Being connected to the internet opens up a lot of options for your television to choose from. The main three types of content are – Live TV, VOD (Video On Demand), and Time-Shifted TV.

Live TV type allows you to connect to all the live content that you would normally get on traditional television. These shows are normal events that go live, like news, sports, and conferences. 

This is almost the same as regular TV, and the content is limited to what your Live TV service provides. Hulu Live TV, CBS Sports HQ, and Sling TV are some examples.

Video on Demand requires subscribing to a certain service provider, and they give you a large library of shows and videos you can choose from. Some examples of VOD are Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. 

Lastly, Time-shifted TV is the format that allows you to watch already broadcasted shows later on and even rewatch them a certain number of times. BBC's iPlayer is an example of this format of IPTV. 

• Easy To Setup And Use

IPTV is simple to set up and very easy to use. All that you require apart from a smart TV is a good, internet connection, a router (set-top box or USB dongle stick), and other wireless devices you might want your IPTV to connect to. 

After setting the physical parts into place, the next thing one needs to do is simply download the IPTV Smarter app on your television and then run the service with the details provided by your server. You can also use an IPTV player like Tivimate to access the content.

• IPTV Is Even Available For Free Trial

If you are unsure if your setup is compatible with IPTV, or have other doubts about the reliability of this kind of service, you would be relieved to know that some IPTV service providers offer free trials for their streaming services. 

It is not common, so you might require a little searching, but RItzyIPTV is a service that gives the user a free trial of 24 hours. 

• You Can Even Set Up Your Own IPTV Service

This might be news to some, but it is possible to set up your own IPTV service! After checking for compatible bandwidth, server capacity, and distribution channels, you can link up with one of the IPTV services that allow you to upload your content. 

People use IPTV for all kinds of content – yoga, dancing, singing, playing games, etc. and the more subscribers you gain, the more you earn. Though recording and distributing can be a draining job, it might be perfect for those interested in starting a career in streaming. 

• The IPTV Market Is Growing Rapidly

Although putting out your own content sounds like a major decision that not everyone would be willing to take, the IPTV market has been growing rapidly in recent years. The main reason behind this is that this platform which supports individual content allows a lot of room for promotion. 

Globally, the demand for IPTV has been growing at a yearly rate of about 31%–35% every year, and more than a billion people are subscribed to IPTV servers. It is a fast-growing market – especially in France, the UK, and Germany. 

• IPTV Is Compatible With Major Devices

Another great thing about IPTV services is that they are compatible with a lot of devices and having a connection with your TV is not just limited to it. All android TV boxes, Fire TV Cubes, NVIDIA Shield, tablets, Google TV, phones, and Firesticks are compatible. 

• MAG box
• iPhone/iPad/iPod
• Apple TV/Mac
• PC, Windows, Linux
• KODI/XBMC
• GSE, IPTV Smarters
• VLC

• IPTV Functions Completely Through The Internet

IPTV is a notch above regular television, but it functions and depends mainly on your internet network to be the amazing service it is. This can be considered a con, as when a lot of users try and use a particular show together, even on different devices, it can cause playback and buffering issues.

Having your content only provided through a service means that when there is a problem on the server's end, you will be at a loss for things to watch.

Final Thoughts

The future of technology is going towards the internet being the fuel to all gadgets. Whether it's your speaker or your watch, the option to connect to the worldwide network is open to almost everything in the world and television is no different. 

If you are considering getting an IPTV service, the answer is to not hold back. 

Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash