IPTV - Just in CASe you are Net-savvy
WATCHING TV will never be the same for the Indian consumer. With CAS (conditional access system) already a part of the TV viewing experience, DTH (direct-to-home) creating a flurry with TV consumers, the option of IPTV (internet protocol TV) has set the stage for an interesting battle for television supremacy. ET tries to put things in perspective for everyone from couch potatoes to the net-savvy Indian channel surfers.
IPTV is often confused with television on the internet. Simply put it means getting TV through the good old MTNL telephone line. The telecom giant calls it ‘triple play’ — that is, your MTNL connection will work as a telephone, internet connection and a television content provider. IPTV is different. Via IPTV, content will be viewed through technologies used for computer networks. Of course you don’t need a computer for that.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To take advantage of this medium, viewers will need a broadband connection and a set-top-box (STB) to send and receive requests. IPTV uses a two-way signal sent through the service provider’s network and servers. Since the connection is different from the normal internet connection, it does not affect the surfing experience. The only similarity IPTV has with newer media like CAS and DTH is that this too comes with a STB. But its STB is nothing like the ones that come with the DTH or CAS. Since the entire network works on servers, the STB for IPTV comes with no moving parts. Says AS Oberai, director, IOL Broadband, “The content is stored on servers so the STB does not need to have hard disk, but at the same time it is far more complex as IPTV allows viewers to control (read: play and pause) content.”
THE COST FACTOR
The cost of IPTV, providing only TV viewing and games, will be equal to other services and is likely to fall thanks to competition, says Mr Oberai. At present, a connection costs a shade above Rs 2,000 including installation. The STB costs Rs 999 while the router costs Rs 199. All these are one time costs for the consumer. Users also need to pay for the pay-channels that they have chosen from a bouquet, which have a similar fee package as with DTH and CAS.
“As of now, there are nearly 100 channels available on IPTV, but that number is expected to scale up in the next few months,” say industry players.
THE USER EXPERIENCE
With IPTV users can expect personalisation and interactivity. IPTV will allow for gaming-on-demand and video-on-demand service means that user will get to watch movies of their choice. The network of servers allows viewers to select even avail of value-adds like time shift — allows you to watch what you want to watch and when you want to watch, and even have live TV chat.
E-COMMERCE ON IPTV
Not only does IPTV cater to the households but it is also has uses for the corporate community. Remote surveillance is possible with IPTV, which allows for TVCommerce. With options such as online home shopping, online banking and travel assistance, IPTV seems to be a good bet for businesses alike. IPTV may be used to deliver TV content over corporate LAN’s and business networks. The customised content delivery enabled by IPTV means reduced opportunities for theft of content.
DRAWBACKS OF IPTV
Despite the advantages that IPTV presents, it does not come without its problems. Low broadband penetration means that it will take a while for IPTV to have a mass reach. India has just 18.17 lakh broadband connections, because broadband prices are high. Tariff ranges from Rs 900 to Rs 3,300 for home users while it varies between Rs 700 to Rs 9,000 for business users. That amount only covers data transfers of 250 kbps to 2 mbps, and you have to pay by the megabyte if you run over the download limit. Bandwith is also a constraint for IPTV providers.
But with all this said, if this does work, it’s all about being able to get your preferred content when you want it. That could be really attractive to the urban, travelling set. For if you have a long weekend coming up? You can get all the episodes of your favourite soap for a marathon viewing session. Imagine the joys — and the agony.
IPTV is often confused with television on the internet. Simply put it means getting TV through the good old MTNL telephone line. The telecom giant calls it ‘triple play’ — that is, your MTNL connection will work as a telephone, internet connection and a television content provider. IPTV is different. Via IPTV, content will be viewed through technologies used for computer networks. Of course you don’t need a computer for that.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To take advantage of this medium, viewers will need a broadband connection and a set-top-box (STB) to send and receive requests. IPTV uses a two-way signal sent through the service provider’s network and servers. Since the connection is different from the normal internet connection, it does not affect the surfing experience. The only similarity IPTV has with newer media like CAS and DTH is that this too comes with a STB. But its STB is nothing like the ones that come with the DTH or CAS. Since the entire network works on servers, the STB for IPTV comes with no moving parts. Says AS Oberai, director, IOL Broadband, “The content is stored on servers so the STB does not need to have hard disk, but at the same time it is far more complex as IPTV allows viewers to control (read: play and pause) content.”
THE COST FACTOR
The cost of IPTV, providing only TV viewing and games, will be equal to other services and is likely to fall thanks to competition, says Mr Oberai. At present, a connection costs a shade above Rs 2,000 including installation. The STB costs Rs 999 while the router costs Rs 199. All these are one time costs for the consumer. Users also need to pay for the pay-channels that they have chosen from a bouquet, which have a similar fee package as with DTH and CAS.
“As of now, there are nearly 100 channels available on IPTV, but that number is expected to scale up in the next few months,” say industry players.
THE USER EXPERIENCE
With IPTV users can expect personalisation and interactivity. IPTV will allow for gaming-on-demand and video-on-demand service means that user will get to watch movies of their choice. The network of servers allows viewers to select even avail of value-adds like time shift — allows you to watch what you want to watch and when you want to watch, and even have live TV chat.
E-COMMERCE ON IPTV
Not only does IPTV cater to the households but it is also has uses for the corporate community. Remote surveillance is possible with IPTV, which allows for TVCommerce. With options such as online home shopping, online banking and travel assistance, IPTV seems to be a good bet for businesses alike. IPTV may be used to deliver TV content over corporate LAN’s and business networks. The customised content delivery enabled by IPTV means reduced opportunities for theft of content.
DRAWBACKS OF IPTV
Despite the advantages that IPTV presents, it does not come without its problems. Low broadband penetration means that it will take a while for IPTV to have a mass reach. India has just 18.17 lakh broadband connections, because broadband prices are high. Tariff ranges from Rs 900 to Rs 3,300 for home users while it varies between Rs 700 to Rs 9,000 for business users. That amount only covers data transfers of 250 kbps to 2 mbps, and you have to pay by the megabyte if you run over the download limit. Bandwith is also a constraint for IPTV providers.
But with all this said, if this does work, it’s all about being able to get your preferred content when you want it. That could be really attractive to the urban, travelling set. For if you have a long weekend coming up? You can get all the episodes of your favourite soap for a marathon viewing session. Imagine the joys — and the agony.
posted by Rushikesh Pandya at
4:19 PM
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