What is an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) Centralized TV System?

Published: June 20, 2025 by Rungreung Huanraluek

What is an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) Centralized TV System?

Centralized TV system MATV SMATV CATV IPTV : Part 6
            In an era of changing consumer behavior and declining traditional TV viewing, conventional centralized TV systems that distribute signals via coaxial cables have evolved into IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) systems. The distribution of video and audio signals over the internet in the form of OTT IPTV (Over-the-Top IPTV) allows TV programs to be watched through multiple channels, such as TVs, smartphones, tablets, and computers. In the service sector, like hotels, resorts, and hospitals, Private IPTV systems enable guests or users to watch TV programs with customizable themes that align with the business's identity. This also facilitates on-screen advertising and interaction between service providers and users, such as ordering food, requesting housekeeping, checking bills, adding images or video clips to promote products or services, and connecting with other internal systems like PMS (Property Management System) or HIS (Hospital Information System) for customer data collection for CRM purposes.

            A Centralized IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) system refers to a TV signal distribution system that uses internet protocols. It receives signals from multiple sources, converts them into a digital format (which can be encrypted or unencrypted), and then sends them to various end devices, allowing multi-channel TV viewing on TVs, smartphones, tablets, and computers. It is categorized into two types: OTT IPTV, which distributes TV signals over the internet for general consumers, and Private IPTV, which distributes TV signals over internal networks (LAN/Wi-Fi) specifically for guests or users of service businesses such as hotels, resorts, and hospitals.

What Does a Centralized IPTV System Consist Of?
1. IPTV Headend Equipment

           An IPTV system receives video and audio signals from various sources, including terrestrial antennas, satellite dishes, and self-produced content. Therefore, the IPTV headend equipment includes terrestrial antennas, satellite dishes, various receivers, and decoders for satellite and internet reception, as well as different types of video players for self-produced content.
            All video and audio signals from every channel are encoded and converted into IP format using the same protocol but with unique identifiers. Since video and audio signals come in different formats, various conversion devices are used, such as HDMI Encoders, A/V Encoders, IP to IP Encoders, DVB-S/S2 Transcoders, DVB-T/T2 Transcoders, and DVB-C/C2 Transcoders.
2. IPTV System Management on Servers or Cloud

• The Middleware acts as the central control system for IPTV, used for channel arrangement, renaming channels, adding/removing channels, displaying program guides, and sending commands to end devices.
• The CAS / DRM (Conditional Access / Digital Rights Management) is responsible for controlling viewing rights, such as defining packages to determine who can watch which channels or preventing copying.
• The Billing System is used for subscription-based IPTV systems to manage monthly charges, collect payments, and classify users.
• The Monitoring System continuously checks the system's status, such as signal loss, inactive channels, or the number of active viewers on a channel.

3. TV Signal Distribution via Network

• Multicast distribution is used for Live TV broadcasts. When multiple points request the same program, the system sends the TV program to all points simultaneously in one go, which is very bandwidth-efficient.

• Unicast distribution is used for content consumed by a single viewer, such as VOD. This method consumes a lot of bandwidth if multiple users are accessing content simultaneously.

4. IPTV End Devices

            An IPTV system can be designed to allow users to watch content on a variety of end devices connected via IP protocols. These include IPTV-compatible smart TVs, IPTV set-top boxes for conventional TVs, applications on smartphones or tablets, or computers watching via a web browser.

             Watching directly on an IPTV-compatible smart TV allows for immediate signal reception and display without a set-top box, making it suitable for hotels, resorts, and hospitals that desire a neat and modern system. Watching via an IPTV set-top box connected to a TV is ideal for older TV models that do not directly support IPTV. Watching via applications on smartphones or tablets enables viewing anywhere, anytime. Meanwhile, using a computer and web browser caters to those who regularly use computers.