IPTV is referred to as TV delivered through Internet. IPTV is simply the delivery of TV services through an Internet Protocol Suite over a Packet Switched Network, instead of traditional signal, cable or satellite networks.
In broadcasting, Over-The-Top content (OTT) is the delivery of audio, video, and other media over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple-system operator in the control or distribution of the content.
The Internet provider may be aware of the contents of the Internet Protocol packets but is not responsible for, nor able to control, the viewing abilities, copyrights, and/or other redistribution of the content.
The major difference between OTT & IPTV is that the OTT content is delivered over a public network (i.e. http) and IPTV is delivered over a private network (Something like UDP), which is generally the MSO’s own infrastructure. OTT here can be a broader term from a consumer/viewer’s point of view as they get to access a variety of content through an OTT service, aggregated on a single platform, along with the flexibility of accessing this content on-demand. IPTV too allows all models for broadcasting its content including Live TV, on-demand and pay-per-view but the problem can be that it is only a limited choice of content for viewers.
Below are some the key differences:
Comparison Category | OTT ( Over the Top) | IPTV ( Internet Protocol TV) |
Content Delivery | Uses open internet,un-managed network.Open ecosystem | Uses dedicated, managed network.Walled garden ecosystem |
Network Type | Delivered from content provider / aggregator to the viewer using open network. Usage of CDN | Closed, proprietary network,accessed via a specific internet service provider |
Network Relationship | Without the need for intervening carriage negotiations, or infrastructure investments | Services are delivered on optimized and custom high bandwidth network |
Service Examples | Popular Video on Demand services like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon LoveFilm, Hulu,Sky Go, BBC iPlayer etc. | IPTV services like U-Verse (AT&T),Prism TV (CenturyLink) |
Delivery Protocol | Delivered over HTTP / TCP, a connected transport protocol. Movement towards adaptive streaming technologies HLS (Apple), Smooth Streaming (MS)and HDS (Adobe) | IPTV uses Transport Stream (TS)transmission technology. Uses RTP (Real time protocol) over UDP, a connectionless protocol |
Content Catalog | Widely used for freemium and economical subscription VOD | Used primarily for premium VOD and real time content delivery like broadcast TV |
Routing Topology | Unicast (HTTP), Simulated Multicast (UDP/TCP) | Multicast. Initial unicast burst during channel change leading to Multicast join |
Service Category | Complementary Service | Main service, similar to Satellite/Cable TV services |
Major Platform Players | OVP (Online Video Platforms) like Kaltura,Brightcove, CDN Players like Akamai, L3,Limelight, Cloud Service Providers like Amazon | TSP ( Telecom Service Providers)and IPTV platform vendors -Microsoft Mediaroom ( now Ericsson), ALU, Cisco |
Key Benefits | Low cost, flexible model, Easy to manage and operate | High quality of service and quality of experience. Monitoring and control, interactive services |
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