The quickly changing arena of digital entertainment has seen Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) come into prominence, transforming the manner in which we enjoy television content. IPTV is different from the usual cable or satellite services; it delivers television programming via the internet. And as more and more consumers look to alternative television services that grant them both flexibility and savings—in contrast to the increasingly decrepit model of conventional broadcasting—they’ve found what seems to be an ideal solution in signing up for subscriptions to IPTV service. A deeper look into what such subscriptions entail suggests both the benefits and the risks of getting involved with this relatively new way of “watching the tube.”
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) delivers television content via the internet instead of through traditional formats like terrestrial, satellite, or cable. Using broadband internet, an IPTV user can stream “live” television, movies, and other video content to a variety of devices. Smart TV, anyone? IPTV sorts its offerings into three basic types: Live television; Time-shifted television, which is primarily the same as catch-up television but often not limited to just the most recently aired in a series; and Video on Demand, or VOD, for short. Most VOD content offered by an IPTV provider is not the same as what would be found in a “Limited Series” section of a subscription service like Netflix or Hulu.
One of the things that makes IPTV so appealing is the selection of channels and content. That appeal is essentially international, as subscribers have access to channels from all over the world. Yet the content also feels pretty localized; IPTV has got a channel, or a handful of channels, for just about any taste or interest. … And while IPTV subscriptions might not be significantly cheaper than traditional cable, they’re certainly far more transparent when it comes to pricing, with most subscription options asking for a modest monthly commitment at most.
Furthermore, most IPTV services do not necessitate the purchase of pricey equipment, but instead allow users to stream content through their existing devices. The sheer ease of use of IPTV is also something to consider. With features such as one-click catch-up TV, efficient pause and rewind capabilities, and support for multiple devices, your average member of Generation Y could easily and readily enjoy all of their top shows and films any time, day or night, with a feeble amount of effort. And why wouldn’t they watch on the go, on a mobile device, when IPTVs transmit as easily as anything else in this digital age?
There are many advantages that IPTV subscriptions offer, but that doesn’t mean you should sign up for one without giving it some serious thought. Most importantly, you need to make sure that the provider you choose has a stable enough service that quality control isn’t a concern. If you pay for an IPTV subscription, you don’t want to end up with a service that’s frequently buffering or dropping out altogether. To choose a good provider, research potential candidates and look for the kind of user experience that minimizes bad quality control while maximizing good speeds and consistency. The other major factor to consider is service legality. Some IPTV providers are perfectly legitimate and operate within the bounds of copyright law; others do not.
Choosing an illegal IPTV service can have repercussions and lead to a bad viewing experience. Users of illegal IPTV services put themselves at risk because these services are often unstable and unreliable. They can lead to a copyright infringement legal nightmare, not to mention living with the guilty conscience of robbing someone, like an artist, of what is rightfully theirs. If you use a service like this and it gets shut down, what do you think will happen to you? These services are no good and should not be considered as options at all. If you want to watch programs on demand, you must pay the right price for the right service. And we respect that here; we pay for the right service because it is the right thing to do.
IPTV subscriptions offer a new and contemporary way of delivering television to an ever-more-mobile and digital world. They deliver programs not only to the old living-room television but also to the multitude of screens we now use: smartphones, tablets, and computers. And they do it via the Internet, which makes their cost very low compared to the old cable/satellite model; they’re very flexible as to what screens you can use; and, possibly the thing that makes them most elite, they bring you content that the law places no restriction on. But even with all those advantages, you can’t just go buy an IPTV subscription. It’s necessary first to make up your mind to do it legally, which implicates concerns about the service you’re choosing as well as its overall quality and customer support.