Multiple video delivery methods provide many opportunities for those who want to share their videos with people and generate revenue from them. All of these methods have their advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we are going to explore what they are.
IPTV
IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. It is used to deliver television programs and videos to an end-user through WAN (wide area network), LAN (local area network), or a network managed by a service provider. Videos can be either live or pre-recorded. Unlike cable or satellite television, IPTV can stream videos in real-time or on the users’ demand.
When a viewer chooses a video, it is transformed into a digital format and delivered in chunks to the viewer’s device.
It should be noted that a user will probably need a set-top box. It is hardware that will help a TV read the transmitting signals if it is not compatible. Other devices don’t need a set-top box because they already can read the data from the Internet.
To create an IPTV service, you will need IPTV streaming software: Middleware is a must.
IPTV services offer live TV, VOD (video-on-demand), and time-shifted TV. So, viewers have a lot of content to watch. They can choose whatever way they like: they can wait for live streams and watch a video broadcasting in real-time, they can access videos that are pre-recorded and stored on servers, and they can watch videos that have already been broadcasted.
OTT
OTT is an Over-The-Top delivery method. OTT allows the delivery across multiple devices: smartphones, Smart TVs, tablets, and laptops. They are connected to the Internet, and that’s why they are capable of streaming OTT content. Everybody having such a device can view videos via the public Internet.
OTT allows watching videos anytime, anywhere. It is the technology that we should thank for the existence of Netflix and similar services. Moreover, any company can create a video streaming service and share their videos with people with the help of OTT.
Cable TV
Cable TV needs an antenna on the top of the roof and a cable that connects to a viewer’s TV going through the wall outlets. To start watching cable TV, a person needs to sign a contract with a cable company. The whole process of setting up a cable TV connection takes a lot of time and effort, while OTT or IPTV services require a subscription that is easy to cancel.
Cable television sometimes allows viewers to watch unique programs and videos that popular streaming services don’t offer. For example, the Super Bowl or the Olympics. Also, cable TV doesn’t rely on the Internet connection, which can be interrupted. Instead, the cable offers high picture quality and stable connection. But people tend to stop using a cable because it doesn’t offer OTT flexibility.
Satellite
Satellite TV requires a viewer to have a dish that will receive signals from the satellite and transmit that to a receiver in the house. The receiver will deliver signals to a TV set, and a consumer will see a picture.
Satellite television is said to have a better picture quality in comparison with cable TV. Also, it can transmit signals from all over the world. So, a viewer can even watch videos from other countries.
With all the benefits that satellite television offers, it still works on TV sets and has a common schedule, while OTT and IPTV services don’t have that.
Final Thoughts
There are four common delivery methods that we have now all around the world. People still watch TV, but more and more of them cut the cord and turn to OTT or IPTV services, which allow businesses to be closer to their customers.
