3G Codecs and IPTV

IPTV is the delivery of television over a closed broadband IP distribution network to consumers. And no matter how you look at it, lower bit rates save bandwidth, which increases channel offerings and maximizes the bottom line. Because of this, 3G video codecs are a perfect match for IP-based digital TV.

With compressed data rates half that of MPEG-2, third generation (3G) video codecs make IPTV possible. VDSL and ADSL2+ broadband networks stream content at upward of 25Mb/s.

The last-mile access network requires fiber-optic system upgrades. One of two methods is typically used. FTTP (fiber-to-the-premises) runs fiber-optic cable to the customer's equipment. FTTN (fiber-to-the-node), in lieu of upgrading every connection to a customer, uses optical cable to the distribution point (pole or box) and then uses copper wire to reach the customer's home.

Regardless of which method is used, end-to-end IPTV service solutions with encoding, encapsulation, third-party middleware, scrambling/descrambling, satellite receivers, conditional access, set-top boxes (STBs), service management and integration services require a large financial investment. Aggregation and distribution of content is heavily dependent on satellite networks; therefore, large players dominate the field and are joining together to deliver turnkey infrastructures.