3-month subscription
30 EUR single simultaneous device
A short-term option for testing the picture quality and the connection compatibility.
- Single-device use
- Live TV, movie and series scope
- Setup support
Streaming Technology
IPTV Technology: How Does Streaming Work?
An IPTV broadcast works through a data flow that reaches the device over the internet protocol. This page explains in plain language the path the broadcast follows from the server to the screen, the effect of bandwidth on quality and the role of the server infrastructure.
Data Flow
A Broadcast Is Data Flowing from the Server to the Device
We are used to television and radio broadcasts being transmitted by satellite or a terrestrial transmitter. With IPTV, the content is sent as data packets over the internet and the player on the device turns these packets into a picture. There is no dish, frequency setting or cable network in between; the arrival of the broadcast depends on the internet connection.
For this reason picture quality is determined on two sides: the outgoing quality of the broadcast from the server and the capacity of the connection to carry that quality. When the connection falls short the player uses its cache; when the cache is also exhausted the stream starts to stutter. For the connection side you can check the internet requirements page.
- Is the connection at a capacity to carry the resolution you watch?
- Is the signal level sufficient on a wireless connection?
- Does the device support the resolution of the broadcast?
- Are the other devices on the same network sharing the bandwidth?
Broadcast chain
Technology and connection pages
what is IPTV
Internet requirements
Internet speed
Multiple connections
If the stream freezes
Technical support
Broadcast Chain
Which Stages Does an IPTV Broadcast Go Through?
The broadcast starts with a single "play" command in the player; in the background, however, a five-stage chain is running. Knowing which link of this chain is weak makes troubleshooting easier.
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01
Content source
The broadcast is taken from its source and encoded digitally. The picture quality set at this stage is the upper limit of the quality that will reach the viewer.
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02
Server and delivery points
The encoded broadcast is hosted on servers and copied to delivery points in different regions. The aim is to serve the data from the point geographically closest to the viewer.
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03
Data flow
The broadcast is sent to the device as data packets over the internet connection. At this stage bandwidth and network stability are decisive.
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04
Device and player
The player holds the incoming data briefly in the cache, decodes it and sends it to the screen. The processing power of the device and the resolution it supports come into play here.
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05
Screen and sound
The picture and the sound are transferred to the television according to the output settings of the device. A wrong screen ratio or audio channel choice causes problems at this stage.
Finding the weak link
When a stream stutters, the first check is whether it is seen on only one channel. If the same result is obtained on all channels the problem is on the connection or device side; if it is experienced on a single channel it is related to the source of that broadcast. The detailed steps are on the IPTV freezing page.
Quality Factors
What Determines Picture Quality
The same subscription can give different results in different homes, because quality depends not only on the broadcast but also on the transport capacity and the device. The points below summarise this relationship.
| Check item | Why it matters | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| BandwidthTransport capacity | With insufficient capacity the stream stutters or drops to a lower quality. | The connection speed is measured and bandwidth suited to the resolution you watch is provided. |
| ResolutionDetail of the picture | High resolution requires more data and needs device support. | The highest resolution the device supports is assessed together with the connection capacity. |
| CompressionImproving efficiency | The same picture is transmitted with less data; however decoding power is required. | If the device does not support the compression format used, the stream will not open or the picture will be distorted. |
| CacheBalancing fluctuation | Short interruptions are hidden by the cache; in long interruptions the stream stops. | The cache value in the player settings is adjusted according to the connection quality. |
| DeliveryProximity of the access point | Data taken from distant servers arrives with higher latency. | Regional delivery points make the stream more stable. |
| DeviceProcessing power and output settings | Weak hardware leads to stuttering on a high-resolution stream. | The resolution and screen settings are chosen according to the capacity of the device. |
To measure the connection side, see the internet speed page, and to plan the requirements the internet requirements pages.
Subscription Options
Technology and Scope Are Assessed Together
Broadcast quality emerges at the intersection of the quality the subscription provides and the capacity of the connection. The choice of duration does not change the content scope; it determines the total amount according to your viewing habits.
6-month subscription
50 EUR single simultaneous device
For medium-term use once a stable viewing pattern has settled.
- Single-device use
- Average 8.33 EUR per month
- Setup support
12-month subscription
80 EUR single simultaneous device
An option that lowers the monthly average with long-term use.
- Single-device use
- Average 6.67 EUR per month
- Setup support
1 subscription = 1 simultaneous device
Subscriptions are defined for a single simultaneous connection. Users who want to watch on a second device at the same time need a separate subscription per device.
Multiple device total
For 2 devices the total is 60 EUR for 3 months, 100 EUR for 6 months and 160 EUR for 12 months; for 3 devices it is calculated as 90 / 150 / 240 EUR.
3-hour trial and 3-day refund
The trial period is 3 hours and the refund period for subscriptions is 3 days. The details of the terms are on the refund and subscription terms page.
Every subscription is defined for 1 simultaneous device. For multiple connection needs see the multiple connections page, and for period and amount details see the IPTV prices page.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs about IPTV Technology
How does IPTV technology work?
The broadcast is transmitted as data packets over the internet protocol. The player on the device takes the data flowing from the address defined for it, keeps it briefly in a buffer and builds the picture. No satellite frequency or dish is required.
What stages does a broadcast go through from the server to the device?
The content is held on servers and prepared for broadcast through delivery points. When the device connects to the address the data flow begins; the player creates a small cache to balance fluctuations.
How does internet speed affect the broadcast?
A high-resolution broadcast requires more data flow. When the connection cannot carry this flow the player cannot use its cache and the stream stutters. For this reason speed is assessed together with the quality choice.
What do resolution and compression mean?
Resolution refers to the number of lines in the picture, while compression means transmitting the same picture with less data. Thanks to compression, higher picture quality is obtained at low bandwidth; the device must be able to decode that picture.
Why does the server infrastructure affect the viewing experience?
In busy hours the number of people watching at the same time rises. An infrastructure with sufficient capacity and access points distributed across different regions keep the stream stable.
What is the difference between IPTV and a satellite broadcast?
A satellite broadcast is received one-way through a dish, whereas an IPTV broadcast reaches the device over an internet connection. This difference allows the IPTV broadcast to be watched on different devices such as a television, phone, tablet and computer.
What should the user do on the technology side?
What the user needs to do is to set up a stable connection, choose the device and player correctly and bring the stream settings to a quality the connection can carry.
For an explanation of the concepts on the user side, see the what is IPTV page, and for viewing requirements the internet requirements pages.
Related Pages
Technology Topics: Related Pages
What is IPTV?
The user-side equivalent of the IPTV broadcast.
Internet Requirements
Connection requirements and recommendations by resolution.
Internet Speed
Measuring the connection speed and its effect on streaming.
Multiple Connections
Requirements for watching on more than one device.
IPTV Buffering
Steps to try in order when a stream stutters.
Technical Support
Support channels for streaming and device problems.
If the channels never open, see the IPTV not opening page, and if dropouts occur on the wireless connection, the Wi-Fi problems page are followed.
Technology Support
