Last modified on June 2nd, 2023
There are so many media platforms that one never really knows where to choose. The most popular entertainment platform has always been television. There are numerous shows and channels to select from and watch. IPTV is a new easy way to watch all your favorite channels, from news to sports, straight on your mobile or laptop. You can watch on-demand anywhere, anytime. But the question that arises frequently is IPTV worth it.
If you are still confused, here is the ultimate guide to understanding IPTV. Also, you will learn its types, pros & cons, etc. So let’s get started.
What is IPTV?
Internet Protocol Television or IPTV is a system that provides television content using the Internet protocol rather than traditional cable or satellite signals. It means that your TV gets the signal from the internet.
There are a few diverse ways to get IPTV, through a smart TV, set-top box, or mobile app. IPTV could offer a better picture quality than traditional methods since bandwidth constraints do not restrict it. It can also be cheaper than cable or satellite TV since you only pay for the channels you want.
Types of IPTV Services
Video on Demand (VOD)
The term ‘Video on Demand’ itself is self-explanatory. It includes all video content requested on-demand by users. These services follow a subscriber-based model and are an extensively recognized IPTV service form.
Live Television
In live TV, the content is broadcasted over the internet, not coaxial cable. It is a new way of watching your beloved football match and award shows. Services like Fox Sports Go, Sling TV, and Hulu Live TV have made this possible.
Time-shifted TV
Time-shifted TV allows users to record, store, and watch data later. But mind you, it is only obtainable for a limited time.
TV on Demand
The TV on Demand service is divided into two parts –Download To Rent (DTR) and Electronic sell-through (EST). EST provides users permanent access to the televisual content they buy online. As for DTR, it lets users rent out their desired TV shows and movies for a limited time. Popular services that follow this IPTV format contain Apple iTunes and Google Play Store.
Near Video on Demand
Near Video on Demand (NVOD) follows the model of Pay-Per-View services. The content broadcasted on NVOD channels has a fixed schedule, and when the schedule ends, new content is added to the list.
Advantages of using IPTV: Is IPTV Worth It?
An IPTV service provides much more than just broadcasting channels to your TV. Channels on IPTV are broadcasted in digital form compared to the classic cable that broadcasts channels via analog. The digital image is crystal-clear, compared to an analog cable, which always has some interference.
Automatic switching
With this option, you could mark series, movies, or shows on channels in the television guide and schedule the channel to be switched automatically while something of the above starts on it.
You can watch it anytime and anywhere
You can watch IPTV wherever you want. It is available on different platforms and devices. You could just as easily watch from your phone or a tablet while on the train traveling to work as you can from a sofa in your living room. Another great thing is that since there is Wi-Fi anywhere, you do not need to use your own data when out of the house; you can use public internet.
Offer better-quality video
Nowadays, everything is shot in Full HD, or higher and numerous providers cannot provide that image quality. If the channel is broadcasting a program in Full HD or you are streaming a TV show in 4K, you will get it the way it is.
Ability to Record Programs
With this feature, you will not be concerned about missing out on your favorite show or movie. Also, you could pause and rewind live television, permitting you to get back to the exact scene you left off. This feature is mainly useful for busy people who cannot always watch shows when they air.
IPTV also allows you to bookmark definite episodes or shows. Thus, you can easily come back to them when you want. Also, IPTV can set up reminders for upcoming programs. So no matter how busy your life is, you will not miss out on any of your favorite shows.
Parental Control
This choice sets a channel code to control what your kids are permitted and not to watch. The ban could be applied depending on the show, channel, or even the time of day, which is mainly useful if you do not want your kids to watch something on television until late at night.
Disadvantages of using IPTV
Dependency on the speed of the internet
IPTV uses the same technology as other kinds of data to send and receive info. Because of this fact, the TV might occasionally experience loss or delay. Your experience could be much worse if your connection is not fast enough.
Technical Issues
Another drawback of IPTV is that it could be more complex to set up and use than traditional cable TV. IPTV needs specific hardware and software, and users need the technical knowledge to set up and use the service efficiently.
Security Risks
Using IPTV services could pose security risks. It is because some IPTV services might offer access to copyrighted content illegally, which could lead to legal issues for users. Also, some IPTV services might contain viruses or malware, which could compromise the security of the user’s device.
Limited Availability
While IPTV is becoming more available, it might not be available in all areas. It means that some users might not have access to IPTV services, restricting their options for live-streaming TV content.
Conclusion
So is IPTV worth it? To conclude, there are several causes why you might wish to use IPTV services, and there are a plethora of advantages and disadvantages to this we have listed above. All IPTV services are generated to make watching your favorite TV shows much easier than in the past.
The IPTV experience of watching TV is quite amusing, and we advise you to try it in person, at least throughout the promotional period, to see if it suits you and is the correct choice for you.