Development of an IPTV System

Abstract

Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) delivers high-quality multimedia content over controlled IP network infrastructure. IPTV is different from traditional terrestrial, cable or broadcasting services. In the traditional terrestrial, cable and broadcasting services, multimedia content is delivered using broadcast systems in which a lot of bandwidth is wasted in sending the data to the whole network. IPTV uses IP multicast to deliver multimedia content. Multicast systems are dynamic: clients can join or leave anytime. A multicast system only needs to send data to a particular multicast group and thus saves a lot of bandwidth. IP networks also include interactive capabilities such as live pause, fast forward and rewind. In future, IPTV will attract a lot of customers due to its added functionality of packetization and two-way interaction.

In this project, we have developed a client/server architecture in which the server transmits three pre-encoded H.264 TV video channels over the network using RTP/RTCP protocols. The IPTV server reads from a pre-encoded H.264 source and forwards the data on the network encapsulated in RTP packets. On the client side these RTP packets are received and the video data is extracted and forwarded to H.264 decoder which decodes the data and hands over to a multimedia player which displays the decoded information on the screen. H.264 plays an important role in the overall project since it focuses on optimal utilization of bandwidth. This system uses IP multicast to send data to multicast groups. IP multicasting provides a feature of channel zapping in our project where the client is able to switch between different channels.

In a nut shell, the project is able to deliver TV quality video over an IP network using RTP and RTCP protocols. H.264 codec is used to enable the users to watch high quality videos and save bandwidth in an optimal way.