The major players in any IPTV delivery chain consist of content providers, service providers, network providers, end-users. Content provider is a source of content as for example TV stations, studios, content aggregators, etc. The IPTV platform usually own by service provider has to provide all functions necessary for control and delivery of IPTV services over network infrastructure (network provider) to end user.
Main blocks NGN based IPTV platforms are following (Figure below):
Application functions can include several service logics of the IPTV services, mechanisms for service discovery and selection to find right services and content, also help to interact with other application and external systems.
Service Control Functions provides functionality for authentication, authorization of service requests. This function is also responsible for the setup and control of all the IPTV services. It can also reserve resources towards transport control functions.
User Profiles contain user data and user profiles related to user’s services.
Media Control and Delivery functions has received content and media streams from content provider and then control and provide media processing, media delivery, content storing, transcoding and relaying of content.
End-User Functions represent home network and user equipment as for example end devices (e.g. TV with set-top-box, mobile, etc.) but also home networking part including Home Access Gateways.
The greatest advantage of NGN based IPTV architecture is possibility integrate IPTV services with other NGN services, reused existing NGN capabilities, better utilized resources, personalization of services and mobility.
NGN/IMS function which can be re-used for providing IPTV:
There are IPTV specific functions which have to be additionally described:
The producing of specification is usually defined by standardization bodies in 3 stages:
The producing of specification is usually defined by standardization bodies in 3 stages: