What is IPTV?

In the UK there are four ways to access digital TV; terrestrial, satellite, cable and IPTV. As the name suggests, IPTV is television broadcast over Internet Protocols. IPTV is reputed to be the most efficient way to provide digital TV to the public.

Compare digital TV packages broadband & digital TV

With IPTV, you can get around 80 channels transmitted to your home TV over your home phone line using IPTV set-top box. IPTV is often bundled in with packages offering broadband, VOD (Video on Demand) and VoIP (Voice over IP) - internet telephone calls. Together the bundles are often referred to as “Triple Play”.

Who is offering IPTV?

• Virgin Media
• Tiscali
• BT

What should I look for in my IPTV package?

• Package price
• Cost of installation
• Other perks of the broadband bundle
• Cost of set-top box
• Speed of connection

What technology do I need?

In order to use IPTV, you need to have a connection with an IPTV provider who will supply you with a set-top box (either free or at a cost). BT is one such provider of IPTV, their set-top box is called BT vision. Tiscali, too, offer IPTV and provide users with a free set-top box and wireless router. Currently Virgin Media have a NPVR (network-based Personal Video Recorder) service called “Video on Demand” that allows users to pause, fast forward and rewind programs.

Is it the thing of the future?

Some say yes, some no. It is likely to remain a TV-broadband buzzword until awareness of what it is becomes more widespread- and what it isn’t- is clarified. Once again, it is a means of watching a greater number of television programs, both currently broadcast and archived, on your home television through an internet connection. It isn’t the same as watching television shows on your computer or using an on demand service (like 4od) or watching video on your computer on a site such as YouTube.

If you are used to only watching broadcast television shows, IPTV will open a number of new doors for you allowing you greater freedom and variety to watch what you want when you want it. And more importantly, from the comfort of your living room and not your computer room.

Compare broadband and digital TV packages.