IPTV and OTT have been together in a debate for a long time and still, there are many who are not aware of the difference between these two. Both the terms are quite commonly used in the video streaming arena. These are common ways of using the content for the end users. However, both the terms are different and people get confused about the meaning of the term. This can also be a major point of concern for organizations looking for video streaming needs.
For an organization, it is confusing to choose which way to use to deliver the content to the end-users. With this blog, we will try to understand what these terms mean, how they both work, what is difference between these two and which is suitable for your video streaming needs.
IPTV And OTT
What Is IPTV?
IPTV stands for “Internet Protocol Television” which delivers video and audio content over an Internet Protocol. It delivers video content over privately managed networks including a private local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or other managed networks. In short, these are digital television systems that are used for delivering live and on-demand video content via the internet in a controlled way. Popular IPTV Player include U-Verse (AT&T), Prism TV (CenturyLink), Verizon Fios TV, etc.
IPTV video streaming stores the video content over the servers and distribute copies to viewers at anytime the viewer plays a TV channel or the on-demand content. The stored videos are sent to the viewers using a multicast method. It means the content to a number of destinations simultaneously instead of delivering content to each user.
What Is OTT?
OTT refers to “Over-the-Top” that delivers content over the internet. The platform delivers the video content to any device including smartphones, laptops, tablets, or video consoles over a publicly accessible internet connection. It has overpowered the traditional broadcast and cable TV providers because of its ability to stream content anytime and anywhere. Anyone can access the content on any device with an internet connection. Some of the popular OTT players are Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, etc.
OTT platforms provide content on request and deliver content on a unicast basis. It means these are one-to-one transmissions that serve content to a single connected device. In these platforms, ISPs do not have control over streaming and viewing. It only provides infra to deliver the content directly to the users. It is a more affordable option than IPTV since it has reduced the cost of infrastructure management.
IPTV And OTT: Which One To Choose
Choosing over IPTV and OTT is traditionally dependent on the content, targeted audience, and the resources available in the company beforehand. OTT is a cost-effective choice and is suitable for those who want to deliver their content to a large audience yet not that expensive. It is best suitable for those who want to give their audience a personalized experience since it delivers content one-to-one to the viewers. Yet it comes with several challenges which are based on network.
A poor network connection can degrade the quality of the video, making a poor user experience. It is a good option for businesses that require lower investment in setting up the services. That is the core reason for its development and acceptance in a larger sphere.
While on the other hand, IPTV provides a higher streaming quality experience to the viewers with easier monitoring and management of the services. All that makes it different from the OTTs is its higher operational cost. This method uses higher costs in installment and management of the infrastructure. It is the appropriate choice for those who want to provide a superior service in terms of image and sound quality and enhanced network security.
In a nutshell, choosing the service of delivering the content is all depended on the type of experience you want to give to the end-users. Choose wisely from IPTV and OTT according to the needs and the target you want to achieve through streaming the video content.
