Are you looking for the best IPTV solution? Do you want to know how to choose the best platform for starting an IPTV business? Then, keep reading this post!
Many households would undoubtedly agree that conventional television is no longer a trend. That is because many people nowadays use IPTV to watch and enjoy their favorite content.
Why did IPTV evolve so fast in recent years, and a lot of vendors have designed and created unique IPTV solutions? With IPTV, people can have a richer and more interactive viewing experience. So, anyone who has already tried IPTV services will never return to their regular TV.
What is IPTV and How It Is Different from OTT
In a nutshell, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a service allowing people to watch TV shows without a cable subscription. Instead, they use an internet connection to watch different content based on their preferred schedule. Most IPTV services include live TV channels with live sporting events or offer a collection of movies.
Meanwhile, some people are confused between IPTV and OTT. So, how is IPTV different from OTT?
IPTV delivers audio and video content to the computer attached to the network based on the IP. Over the Top (OTT) service offers video streaming over the internet through public access. IPTV content is delivered using a dedicated and managed network, following a walled garden ecosystem. As for OTT, the content is delivered using an unmanaged network and open internet, following an open ecosystem.
Instead of traditional cable or satellite, IPTV plays similar to regular TV but streamed over the internet. Meanwhile, OTT service does not play content whenever required. The IPTV content is transmitted over the internet to a dedicated setup box. However, OTT content is transmitted over the internet rather than through a cable or satellite.
How to Choose the Best Platform to Start Your IPTV Business
IPTV is more than just about video-on-demand or live TV broadcast. It also offers linear/broadcast TV (with data, audio, video, and trick modes), multi-angle service, PPV or Pay-Per-View, interactive TV, T-learning, games, time-shift TV, and more.
However, before choosing a particular IPTV platform, it is best to know the available features and functionalities to figure out if it fits your needs. Here are the essential characteristics of an IPTV platform:
Device Compatibility
In most cases, IPTV service providers utilize applications to stream content. Some providers stream only using PC or TV with an internet connection, while others offer streaming content options concurrently on many different devices. Some providers only allow access via particular devices at a time. So, you must decide which device you want to use and choose a provider that suits your device needs.
Uptime Consistency
Uptime refers to how long an IPTV service is up and running. For example, if you want a pretty stable uptime, it should be 99%. Having 100% uptime is impossible because scheduled maintenance is necessary once. However, you should still aim for a platform that offers the highest stability percentage.
Subscriber Reputation and User Experience
Reputation is critical when it comes to choosing an IPTV provider. However, the increasing number of providers made it challenging for everyone to choose a particular IPTV service provider. That is why it is critical to know a specific provider’s popularity.
For instance, you can research what other users say about the platform before deciding. You can also ask for references from your family and friends or look for online reviews. In return, you will determine the platform’s popularity and the reasons for that popularity.
Do not forget to determine whether the platform offers after-sales services or not. For such a thing, it may include configuration help, timely response to questions and requests, or other support.
Price
Another critical factor in the selection process is money. Beware that the IPTV platform’s prices make a lot of difference in the long run. Remember that the services are something that you have to pay monthly. So, you have to opt for the more affordable one without sacrificing quality.
Content Availability
It is always critical to see what a specific IPTV platform has to offer for the price no one wants to pay for something that does not allow them to watch their favorite content.
Not all IPTV platforms offer all films or shows, whether there is no sharing contract signed between the two parties or those content pieces are exclusives. So, you have to ensure that the platform allows viewers to watch and enjoy their favorite channels or specific shows before spending your money on it.
Location Limits
Many viewers would find frustration once they discover that some of the content cannot be played from their countries even if they are available on the app. This scenario occurs quite a lot, whether for video or music content with popular platforms. So, ensure to determine a platform’s location restrictions before finalizing your decision.
Buffering and Content Quality
You have to know several things before using an IPTV server software for your business, like whether there are subtitle options, if the images are crisp, clear, or if the sound is audible. You also need to know if the platform comes with various language options.
Many IPTV platforms come with trial periods that help users determine whether the preferred channels are available alongside sound and image quality.
Determining the loading time and download speed. Check if these things are fast enough or require longer times. Even if the IPTV platform’s quality and speed rely on the internet speed, there is still recommended bandwidth. So, it is always best to determine if the recommended bandwidth suits the internet connection. That way, users can prevent buffering issues while watching their favorite movies or TV shows.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best IPTV solution for your business can be challenging or frustrating at first. However, once you find the best one dedicated to your needs, everything will be on the right track. So, consider the above ideas to help you make the best decision for your business and grow it as soon as possible.