This book explains why and how companies are using IPTV equipment and to provide television services over IP data networks. You will discover what IPTV is, why companies and people are converting systems and selecting IPTV services. The different types of IPTV systems including managed and unmanaged IPTV systems are explained. Discover why companies are choosing to use IPTV systems to deliver television services over traditional television broadcast system. You will learn how IPTV can allow users to access to a million TV programs virtually anywhere in the world. Discover how IPTV systems can offer new types of content including community created content, personal media channels and unique sponsored programming where content owners pay the IPTV operator to make their content available to viewers. IPTV video technology is explained including video compression (MPEG, VC-1) and how IP video transmission is different than broadcast video. IP audio technology is described including audio compression (MP3, AAC) and how IP audio is transmitted along with IP video. Find out how and why IPTV systems use MPEG. You will learn about the different types of MPEG compression (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264/AVC) and how MPEG uses profiles to adapt the media to the many types of user devices that can display IPTV media. The functional parts of IPTV systems are described along with their operation and the key protocols that are used to manage IPTV networks. Learn about the different types of premises distribution networks (e.g. home networks) and how they are used to distributed IPTV signals within the home. Described are the different types of end user devices including IP set top boxes, IP televisions, mobile video telephones and portable media players. You will learn about media content rights and how IPTV systems use digital rights management to control access and protect content. Some of the most important topics featured are: . The different types of IPTV systems . How IP television systems work . New services are possible through the use of IPTV . IP Video compression, formats and transmission . IP Audio compression, formats and transmission . MPEG technology, options and profiles . IPTV network components and protocols . Distributing IPTV in the Home using Home Networks . IPTV Viewing Devices . DRM for IPTV
Mr. Harte is the managing director of Althos, an expert information provider that covers the communication industry. Mr. Harte has worked for leading communications technology companies since 1985 including Ericsson/General Electric, Audiovox/Toshiba and Westinghouse. Lawrence holds degrees of Executive MBA from Wake Forest University (1995) and a BSET from the University of the State of New York, (1990). Mr. Harte has instructed at and received numerous certificates from many non-university courses including IPTV, Internet Marketing, 3G wireless, billing systems, cryptograph, microwave measurement and calibration, radar, nuclear power, Dale Carnegie, 360 leadership, and public speaking.
Mr. Harte has appeared on television as an industry expert and has been referenced in over 75 telecommunications related articles in industry magazines. He has been a speaker and moderator at numerous industry seminars and trade shows. His magazine publications include Popular Science, Wireless Week, RCR, Cellular Business, Cellular Marketing and others. Between 1993-1995, Mr. Harte wrote a monthly column in Cellular Marketing called "Techniques." The monthly Techniques column explained the business related issues behind key technology innovations that were developing in the telecommunications industry.
