IPTV/OTT technology has so much to offer that at some point it becomes difficult to consolidate it all in one place so that administrators, editors, and users can easily access, manage, and monitor it.

Thanks to the technology from WEB and a set of iOS and Android frameworks UI used by IPTV Portal, it is possible to provide a truly cross-platform and multilingual interface with great usability and many options for customization. Such an interface can provide access to and management of all services of an IPTV/OTT solution on any device via a web browser or native application:

• STB,
• Smart TV,
• Smartphones,
• Tablets,
• Interactive kiosks or even game consoles.

Cross-platform accessibility

The ability to play media content on any screen or device, even the one you carry in your pocket, expands your freedom to enjoy your favourite movies, TV and other media when and where you want. For administrators of IPTV/OTT solutions that bring the full variety of digital entertainment to your screen, it is much more convenient to manage all IPTV/OTT components such as audio/video streamers or IPTV/OTT middleware through a unified backend office - regardless of OS, model or manufacturer of your device.

As long as you have an up-to-date web browser and Internet access on your device, you can access the IPTV/OTT portal and all offered IPTV services.

The modular architecture of the IPTV end-to-end solution makes it easier

HTML5, iOS and Android frameworks UI provide some freedom in developing the design and logic of the IPTV portal user interface.

The IPTV portal takes advantage of this by providing the ability to aggregate all services provided by specific IPTV/OTT systems or simply add more services such as cloud gaming. IPTV portal with modular architecture and unified back-end office:

the IPTV portal can be easily modified, allows adding new services and supports more media types, introduces a better approach to system management and improves user experience.

This multi-interface IPTV/OTT platform architecture enables easy integration of new services such as e-shops, food ordering, catalogues and other cross-sales and promotion tools that generate additional revenue, which is in high demand in the hotel industry:  Ancillary bookings represent a significant opportunity to add revenue while increasing guest engagement.

Get the security of a server-driven user interface

IPTV portal content and styling, based on SDUI principles, are provided by the server backend. Client devices and native applications receive an updated version of the user interface each time they connect to the server.

Proprietary interfaces are far less flexible and cannot be updated as easily because they are hard-coded for the client devices and written for a specific platform.

In contrast, the IPTV portal based on HTML5 and the mobile OS framework is much more secure.

It is based on standards used everywhere, and most security or performance issues are quickly fixed with prompt updates and notifications to users and administrators, while the fanciest design and usability features are implemented faster compared to proprietary interfaces.

The interactive IPTV portal is a great advertising tool

For IPTV/OTT systems, the use of an interactive IPTV portal is obviously a great advantage - IPTV/OTT aims to replace classic media broadcasting solutions by offering interactivity and flexibility that older systems such as CATV, VCR and DVD cannot provide.

IPTV Portal is no longer just a replacement for a TV device. Rather, it is a hub for media entertainment services, shopping, event announcements, room services and much more.

For users, it's a convenient way to access their favorite media content. And for operators, hotels and content providers, it's a powerful, revenue-generating tool that can be easily adapted to changing market conditions and target group interests.

Do you feel inspired to use the IPTV portal? Nevron's IPTV products are optimized for effective use in a variety of industries. Contact us today for a free demonstration of a balanced IPTV portal. Many hoteliers, cruise ship builders and telecommunications operators are already maximizing the utilization and profitability of their facilities and network infrastructure with the Nevron IPTV system.

On the market today there are a variety of different TV systems. There is cable TV, satellite TV, IPTV and last but not least OTT (over-the-top) streaming. And making the right decision about which TV connection is best for your situation can be very difficult. Why IPTV? We have briefly summarized all the information you need to make the right decision.

Usually, more options mean more power to the consumer. However, this is only true if you understand the specifics of each TV connection well enough to make an informed decision.

The basics of television

There are several ways to play television programs on your TV screen. You can go the traditional route and connect to the broadcast network, you can stream only the content you want over the Internet, or you can set up a dedicated IPTV system and enjoy the best of both worlds.

Suitable broadcast networks:
● Satellite TV
● Cable television

As the name implies, broadcast networks broadcast the television program from a distribution center and allow you to "tune in" to the channels that the broadcast signal carries. To achieve this, cable providers TV TV use their own physical network connected to a coaxial cable. The satellite TV, on the other hand, uses radio waves that travel by air from a communications satellite directly to the consumer's location, where they are received by a satellite dish.

Applicable Internet networks:
● IPTV
● OTT streaming

Unlike cable and satellite networks, which transmit content in real time, IP networks transmit data packets from the server to the user's terminal only upon request. This principle is known as the Internet Protocol and also enables the delivery of e-mail, the use of websites, and the use of various other cloud services.

Both IPTV and OTT services provide content via the same Internet protocol, so they are very similar in this respect. However, they differ in the way they distribute their content. OTT basically streams over the Internet, while IPTV requires a private, dedicated network.

IPTV and OTT services primarily transmit content that is stored on the server, so users can access that content over the Internet at any time. However, a dedicated IPTV system can do both, and that is where its strength lies.

Types of television networks

IPTV
Even if you have never heard of IPTV, there's a good chance that you have already used it without knowing it. Actually, anyone who has watched live channels TV or video on demand through their digital television service has experienced IPTV in its essential form. Due to its attractive features and future-proof technology, IPTV is now a very attractive alternative to cable or digital satellite broadcasts that is worth taking a closer look at.

In simple terms, IPTV refers to a process in which both live video TV and stored video (on-demand or pay-per-view) are transmitted to the end user via the same network as Internet content.

It is a different way of distributing broadcast-quality content to consumers. Broadcast-quality content in this case represents all the features consumers expect from their digital television service provider, including popular channels on HD. From the user's perspective, IPTV provides an experience similar to traditional cable or satellite television. Turn on TV, select a channel with the remote control, and enjoy the program. However, because IPTV uses the Internet Protocol to deliver digital content, providers soon realized that they could integrate different services across platforms, leading to a convergence of voice, data and TV over the same network, all using the same language, through one provider.

Cable

Many, if not all, of the cable systems in use today are hybrid fiber-coaxial networks. These are basically the same as the hybrid fiber-coaxial network that delivers broadband Internet to your home via cable.

However, before the signal reaches your home, it is transmitted in the form of radio waves from a communications satellite to your cable provider's distribution center, called a headend. At the headend, the radio signal is modulated for distribution over a fiber-optic cable, which then transmits the signal at high speed over a physical network.

The fiber transmits the signal, along with the television channels and Internet data, to a communications node near you, where the network is converted from fiber to coaxial cable. For a better illustration, you can think of the main fiber optic line as a tree and the individual copper coaxial cables as the branches that spread out to the individual units in that area. This is the main reason why cable links are called shared links.

Before the signal is transmitted to your home, it is demodulated at the local node so that it can be passed over the coaxial cables. The final destination of this signal is a IPTV TV system, your set-top box, or the TV itself if it is equipped with the necessary hardware and software to decode the incoming data into video and audio that can be played back on TV. A specific frequency is reserved for each channel in your cable plan, and when you switch between channels, you set those frequencies.

Have you ever wondered how your cable provider prevents you from accessing all the channels it offers? In the analog era, it was encrypted signals, but in the digital age, access to subscriptions is regulated by encryption. Before the signal leaves the cable provider's distribution center, it is encrypted and decrypted with keys on the user's end. Web security works similarly, often switching between different encryption approaches to prevent hacking. It should be noted that analog cable signal transmission is very different from digital, which dominates the market today.

Satellite

We've already learned that cable providers TV intercept satellite transmissions in the initial stages of their distribution network before sending the signal over a physical wire to their end customers. Satellite providers TV, on the other hand, send a wireless signal from the satellite to the end customer's satellite dish. Today, there are two forms of satellite reception TV: TVRO (television-only reception) and DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite, or "direct to home" DBSTV).

In general, TVRO technology is somewhat older than DBS technology. This is evidenced by the much smaller dish required for DBS to receive a 100% digital high frequency signal, as opposed to the much larger dish required to receive the low frequency, digital/analog TVRO broadcasts. The TV satellite shares satellite radio bandwidth with mobile radio signals and radar systems in the 3-30 GHz range.

From the satellite dish, the signal is relayed either to a dedicated IPTV headend or directly to the end user's set-top box, which decodes and displays the content. Similar to cable TV, the channels are encrypted to prevent uncontrolled access.

So far, the satellite TV sounds very promising, but it's not entirely free of shortcomings. Due to the use of high frequency radio waves, the signal is more susceptible to interference. Nevertheless, the TV satellite is generally the best choice for areas where a physical connection is simply not possible.

OTT streaming

Netflix, HBO now and Roku are among the most popular OTT content providers available today. The interesting thing about these providers is that they deliver their content in a different way than we've known before. Because they don't have their own infrastructure, these third-party providers can't stream content in the traditional sense. Instead, they only stream purchased and requested content directly to the end user's device over the same infrastructure that connects the user to the Internet.

Streaming high-quality video requires a reliable Internet connection with sufficient bandwidth to support email exchanges, Internet browsing, and other Internet activities simultaneously. Fortunately, broadband and fiber optic technologies have developed rapidly in recent years, allowing this technical hurdle to be overcome. In fact, video and audio streaming accounted for over 70% of Internet traffic in the U.S. in 2015, indicating a bright future for OTT streaming.

Due to the nature of the Internet, OTT streaming faces the same issues as any other Internet-based service. Long load times, reduced speeds due to multiple connections, and improper setup of home wireless networks all affect the quality of the OTT content streaming experience.

Issues like these have driven the development of complex systems for managing streaming data. When you download a generic file like an image from the Internet, you always have to wait for the file to download as a whole. Streaming video is quite different from that.

Content is broken down into smaller fragments and delivered individually at the time you want it. The smaller data fragments allow for a fast transfer, so the content is displayed almost instantly. Occasionally, the streaming device reports "buffering", but this only means that the data transfer was interrupted for a short time.

To ensure the best possible streaming experience for most network connection types, OTT content providers package video and audio content into media containers that can be broken into small fragments. Using a time-based transmission protocol, the media container is fragmented and then continuously streamed to the end user.

Why IPTV?

There is an enormous amount of information to analyze and compare to determine if one IPTV TV system is really better than other alternatives. But that's not the goal here. Instead, we want to focus on some key areas that already make IPTV superior and future-proof.

The first and arguably most important area is the infrastructure that makes it all possible. Fiber optic technology has evolved to the point where it outperforms any other type of network. The exceptional bandwidth that fiber offers compared to copper and DBS is the main reason why IPTV is able to support "uncompressed" and "source quality" HD.

What about the number of channels? Large facilities such as hotels, where there are hundreds of guests with different preferences, benefit from the fact that the fiber network allows a IPTV TV system with a virtually infinite number of channels.

Speaking of hotels, just about any existing system in hotels TV can be upgraded with IPTV technology. Ideally, CAT5/CAT6 or fiber optic cables should be installed, as they allow for easy connection of IPTV equipment. However, an existing coax network can also be used, as it is also suitable for IP data transmission.

There is more than meets the eye

The transition from an analog system TV to a system IPTV TV is often referred to as a "digital switchover" In most cases, the issue is the picture quality on the screen TV. Is a digital image really that much better than an analog one?

In fact, it is very difficult to tell the difference when comparing an image delivered by a high-quality analog device with a "digital" image on the screen of TV. However, image quality should not be the main reason for switching to a IPTV TV system, because there are a number of other advantages that are not obvious at first glance:

Convergence of technologies

Remember when VoIP became available? Consumers around the world quickly realized the benefits of this new technology, which allowed them to access and control their phone service over the Internet. This was made possible by the convergence of two technologies: voice and data.

Now try to imagine the possibilities that could arise from the convergence of voice, data, wireless and digital television. The thought that you could control your TV with voice commands from your phone is breathtaking. Or that you could customize your TV to display up-to-date information about the weather, stocks and traffic reports, just like the Internet.

Combining TV channels and video-on-demand over Internet protocol, advanced fiber infrastructure, wireless networking and convergence of services, IPTV has potential like no other system on the market today. Whether at home, on a cruise ship or in a hotel, anywhere in the world, users can enjoy the latest content, interact and communicate at the same time - all through a single IPTV TV system.

A glimpse into the future

While most television networks still have their place in the market, the future will bring greater demand for high-quality content and integration of third-party services that currently can only be supported by IPTV. With a range of state-of-the-art IPTV products that are essential to the successful implementation of any IPTV project, Nevron is ready for the future! To make a proper decision about the Hospitality TV solution, you are invited to contact a Nevron IPTV consultant. Both Hospitality TV solutions will be presented to you. The advantages and disadvantages of both solutions will be discussed in detail so that you can fully understand them. Please email nevron@nevron.eu

But only recently has advancing technology made TV more than just an expensive entertainment service for guests. With the proliferation of broadband Internet connections, the Internet is becoming the predominant channel for delivering TV content. TV Not only do the devices provide a whole new experience for guests, but they also represent an amazing new opportunity for hotels to reach their customers directly and communicate their services to them.

A shorter version of the blog "SMART TV in Hospitality TV projects".

There are two ways to use the enhanced capabilities of so-called Internet Protocol Television (or IPTV) in hotels. Either through a separate device, the so-called IPTV set-top box (STB IPTV), which is connected to the TV, or through a so-called Smart TV, which already has the IPTV functionality built in.

IPTV set-top box vs. smart TV - The smarter choice? - Nevron Blog

At first glance, smart TV seems to be the better solution. It eliminates the need to find a place for a separate IPTV set-top box and connect it to a TV device, and is therefore easier to set up and overall more elegant. This is especially true if the TV box is to be hidden behind the TV screen, which, by increasing the required distance between the wall and the screen, compromises the aesthetic benefits of modern, increasingly thin TV devices. This makes Smart TV a compelling option especially for environments where multiple TV devices need to be installed, such as public halls, hotels, etc.

Or a set-top box based IPTV box solution?

However, the need to install and maintain multiple TV devices is exactly the case where a solution based on a dedicated IPTV set-top box might prove to be the better choice. The main reason for this is that the IPTV field is still rapidly evolving and more and more IPTV content sources are becoming available. Since virtually every smart TV manufacturer deploys its own IPTV solution, which limits the availability of IPTV content from the outset, there is a high probability that the integrated IPTV functions of a given smart TV device will be completely obsolete before its life cycle of eight to ten years is over. This leads to replacement costs that can be considerable, e.g., in hotels with several TV devices.

STB and SMART TV comparison

This sheet displays some pros and cons of STB and SMART TV client devices.

STB IPTV on the other hand, they cope much better with the developing IPTV sector. Unlike smart TVs, they are usually not tied to proprietary solutions and can therefore offer a wider range of IPTV content from the outset. And if a particular TV box becomes obsolete or stops working due to a defect, it is more convenient and much cheaper to replace just the box than to replace the entire TV device, as would be the case with smart TV.

Despite the advantages of smart TVs with integrated IPTV solutions, dedicated IPTV set-top boxes not only offer better performance in delivering IPTV content to the user, but also future-proof flexibility at a price that no existing or currently planned smart TV TV TV TV can offer.

Want to learn more about STB and Smart TV hospitality TV solutions?

To make a proper decision about the Hospitality TV solution, you are invited to contact a Nevron IPTV consultant. Both Hospitality TV solutions will be presented to you. The advantages and disadvantages of both solutions will be discussed in detail so that you can fully understand them. Please email nevron@nevron.eu

Learn more

The original reason why TV manufacturers started offering SMART TV models is that they compete with smarter devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc. A media device that allows people to play their favourite videos from YouTube channels or Netflix movies would divert customers' attention from the regular TV that only local live channels can show TV. These channels may not match the current mood or preferences of the viewer. This is important when you start a TV project in the hospitality industry. This infographic created by Nielsen shows that users prefer to have a smart device at hand when watching TV.     See the full report by Nielsen here.      

Interactivity

    SMART TVs offer interactivity, allowing viewers of TV to access Internet-based video content, install apps, play games and use similar functions to tablets or smartphones. This creates added value for customers who want to own a SMART TV rather than a regular TV. A set-top box coupled with a TV provides a similar and in most cases a better experience than a SMART TV, which also has a special built-in module similar to an STB. From the user's point of view, the SMART TV solution looks more elegant, as you have a device without external boxes, extra cables or distortion of aesthetics and design. For installers and technicians, a single device is probably better because there are fewer outlets needed, fewer cables to connect and fewer devices to maintain. But for the technicians who maintain the IPTV system, this solution may not be as good if they want to fix some user-reported problems or add new features. Sometimes SMART TV is not so good, and you want to keep the SMART part separate from the TV panel so you can update or repair it quickly. Both types of client devices have their own advantages and disadvantages. A SMART TV is more convergent but less flexible, it is packaged, elegant and compact, while the external STB is very flexible, more compatible and easier to maintain.      

Set-top box in your service

    Nothing is easier than supplying and installing a set-top box to provide access to IPTV services. Any TV with an HDMI port can be connected and work perfectly. Installation usually does not even require a service person on site. (i.e. the customer can simply receive the STB by mail and install it themselves). The pre-configured software immediately connects to the IPTV server. Once the set-top box is installed and connected to the TV and the IP network, virtually no configuration is required to access IPTV services. For IPTV providers, using an external STB makes it very easy to build and develop their business. They can simply rent some set-top boxes from local stores or sell them online with courier delivery. Customers just need to connect the STB to a local network or ISP to access the IPTV services offered by that network or ISP. With simple instructions, they can easily do this themselves. The same is true for OTT: a global service can be provided if the STB is connected to the Internet and has an active service subscription to watch live TV, video-on-demand and other OTT services. SMART TV is not as flexible here, as the models are different and many proprietary platforms are used in SMART TV devices, which usually present enough obstacles for developers. See the "Comparison" tab for some differences between STB and SMART TV clients.    

STB and SMART TV comparison

This sheet displays some pros and cons of STB and SMART TV client devices.       An external STB is not free of problems. But thanks to open and widely available platforms, hardware and technologies used in external STBs, such problems can be fixed much more easily and quickly. This provides the ideal foundation to start developing a client application right away. A SMART TV client application typically operates in a proprietary environment, on very specific hardware, and is bound by rules and policies set by the vendor SMART TV. Typically, vendors are very strict with the restrictions and create many obstacles for developers, making SMART TV a poor choice for projects where customization and integration are important.      

Why hospitality TV is better with STB

With an STB, it is much easier to achieve a higher level of customization. This is one good reason why a Hospitality TV project is better implemented with an STB than with an SMART TV. Integration of property management systems is also a major advantage of an STB client. A set-top box comes with a remote control adapted to the STB's UI. This allows intuitive, easy control of IPTV services on the TV screen without compromise or inconvenience. With a SMART TV, developers have to deal with buttons that are already arranged on the remote controls of the particular model of SMART TV. This sometimes results in less convenience and a distorted user experience.  

The availability of UI customizations and integration with PMS makes STB an ideal choice for Hospitality TV projects.   IPTV system providers can choose from remote controls available on the market or even design and manufacture their own remote controls that fully comply with the original idea of UI, expressed by the developers of the system. All kinds of remote controls can be found on the market, such as a full QWERTY layout, G-sensor and accelerometer controlled joysticks, trackballs, trackpads, sensor pads, buttons with light effects and many other function-enhancing controls. A SMART TV does not have this freedom of choice. The UI is a proprietary design, and applications must be created within strict guidelines dictated by the remote's button layout, the specifics of the platform, and the graphical interface of the SMART TV model used.      

STB or SMART TV?

    It's difficult to make a solid recommendation on which client device to use, as it really depends on the goals and budget of the project. For luxury projects such as five-star hotels or cruise ships, the STB provides a better user experience and allows the technology to be kept up to date. For small projects and low budgets, a SMART TV may be a better and sometimes the only available option.

If you bought a smart TV a couple of years ago chances are its interface, apps, and capabilities, not to mention its response time, seem dated by comparison to a $99 box. Most smart TV platforms are updated only during the year they were launched, if then, and afterward age as quickly as any technology.

-Geoffrey Morrison, CNET (Read the full CNET article here.) But for most projects, it is recommended to consider an external STB, especially as it is possible to install them on the back of the TV and power up from PoE. This does not require the use of an additional power outlet for the STB      

What about the cables?

    All this allows the installation and use of an external set-top box without compromising the aesthetics of the TV panel, as was originally planned. In addition, the STB can be quickly replaced or the firmware updated. Even the remote control of the STB can be used to control the basic functions of TV (e.g. power on/off and volume/mute), so the user will never find out if an external STB is actually connected to TV. At the same time, the user experience is guaranteed to be better than SMART TV. For the technicians maintaining the IPTV system, an external STB is easier to maintain than a proprietary module installed in a SMART TV.      

Interested to find out more about STB and smart TV hospitality TV solutions?

    In order to make a proper decision about which Hospitality TV Solution to choose you are invited to get in touch with Nevron IPTV consultant. Both Hospitality TV Solutions will be presented to you. The pros and cons of both Solutions will be discussed in-depth in order for you to fully understand them. Please write an email to nevron@nevron.eu