IPTV systems
Jun 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Paul Szucs
The Release 1 IPTV Solution specifications are hot off the press. Read on to find out how to employ IPTV services.
Figure 1. Scope of Open IPTV Forum
Select image to enlarge.
The Open IPTV Forum (OIPF) was launched officially in March 2007 by eight founding member companies and has grown to around 50 member organizations. OIPF Release 1 Requirements were published in September 2007, the Release 1 Architecture Specification in January 2008, and the Release 1 IPTV Solution specifications in January 2009.
The Release 1 specifications describe an end-to-end solution to allow any consumer end device, compliant to the OIPF specifications, to access enriched and personalized IPTV services either in a managed or a nonmanaged network. All OIPF specifications are available publicly at www.oipf.tv, on the publications page.
The following is a technically oriented overview of these specifications. The scope of the IPTV Forum can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 2 shows a high-level logical view of the scope of the Release 1 Solution in terms of networks and functional entities in the residential network. Note there is no prescription about how these functional entities are mapped to physical device implementations. For example, it is conceivable a single residential device could host a terminal (OITF) function and any of the gateway functions in one box.
Managed network IPTV services are provided from within an operator's core network, enabling the service provider to make use of service enhancement facilities like multicast delivery and quality of service (QoS) provision.
Ross Video’s OverDrive automation classifies each event as a Template.
Open Internet IPTV services are accessed via an independently operated access network, with or without QoS guarantees. Services may be accessed via a service platform (i.e. a portal) that provides supporting facilities for multiple service providers.
The Release 1 specifications provide an end-to-end solution that can provide any of the following IPTV services:
- Scheduled content services (linear TV), including their recording (PVR), electronic program guide (EPG) and hybrid services (combining the usage of the IPTV and broadcast channels);
- Content on-demand (both streaming and download) services;
- Information services, both with and without any relation to the content delivery services; and
- Communication services, including notifications and their blending with the content delivery services.
These IPTV services can be provided generally in both the managed network and open Internet modes of operation, but there may be differences in how each service is provided.
Functions are specified that enable attractive and innovative ways to provide the services listed above. They can be summarized as:
Figure 2. Logical view of Open IPTV Solution scope
Select image to enlarge.
-
Service provisioning, including network attachment; user management, including the management of multiple users within a household, where applicable; QoS provisioning; remote management of the devices in the home network, including configuration, fault diagnosis and software upgrade;
-
Service access and control;
-
Volume 2 — Media formats
Service and content navigation;
-
Interactive application platforms;
-
Content and service protection, where applicable; and
-
Volume 3 — Content metadata
Interworking with DLNA-compliant home network devices.
As is the stated goal of OIPF, wherever possible, usage is made of relevant existing standards and industry initiatives. The specifications refer to published specifications from various branches of the industry in order to build the Release 1 IPTV Solution, including: 3GPP, ATIS IIF, Broadband Forum, CEA, CI Plus LLP, DLNA, DVB, ETSI TISPAN, IETF, JCP, Marlin Developer Community (MDC), MPEG and W3C. The specifications essentially provide the glue between these to build the IPTV Solution. OIPF also engages with these forums to address gaps or necessary refinements, as appropriate.
The Release 1 Solution specifications are organized as seven volumes, whereby each volume specifies a particular aspect of the IPTV Solution. Volume 1 provides a brief overview of the solution; the remaining six volumes specify aspects of it.
Volume 2 specifies the complete set of media formats adopted in Release 1, including audio, video and systems layers, as well as ancillary content like subtitles and resources used by other parts of the Solution, namely graphics and audio clip formats for the interactive application environments.
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
