IPTV Delivery Networks

Preface

At the onset, we would like to clarify that this is not a textbook. We prefer to use the term ‘comprehensive guide’, as the book covers many critical aspects of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and IPTV delivery networks. When thinking about working on such a book, we observed that most of the books available in the market had covered only or mainly the basics of IPTV. There was no book available for researchers, academicians, students and practitioners that discussed in depth the IPTV delivery networks for both live and on-demand IPTV services. We also felt the pressing need to capture the issues of delivering IPTV over various emerging networking and communications technologies in a book or volume that could be used as reference material – both by general readers of the topic and experts in the field.

To introduce the theme of the book for general readers, let us say what IPTV is about. IPTV is basically a system that exploits high-speed broadband networks to deliver TV services to subscribers. It has been made possible today due to the advancements in high-speed broadcasting networks and the great evolution in digital video broadcasting techniques. From the service provider viewpoint, the prime challenge in the IPTV system involves providing high-quality service at minimum costs through existing and emerging delivery networks. In fact, IPTV delivery networks have witnessed several developments starting from the central architecture, which delivers content using ...