The television entertainment industry is currently experiencing a major transformation as broadband subscribers and improvements in compression techniques for digital video content continue to grow. This growth is fueling the demand for a new generation of technology professionals who will be responsible for implementing IP-based video services and digital home services around the world. Next Generation IPTV Services and Technologies explores key challenges associated with successfully managing the technical operation of an IPTV networking infrastructure and provides networking and IT specialists entering the IPTV sector with sound coverage of state-of-the-art technologies used to build end-to-end IPTV systems. Coverage includes:

IPTV network distribution technologies

IPTV real-time encoding and transportation

Broadcasting linear programming over IPTV

IPTV consumer devices

IPTV conditional access and DRM systems

Moving IPTV around the house

Video-on-demand over IP delivery networks

Additionally, this book examines IPTV technical subjects that are not included in any other single reference to date: Quality of Experience (QoE), techniques for speeding up IPTV channel changing times, IPTV CD software architecture, Whole Home Media Networking (WHMN), IP-based high-definition TV, interactive IPTV applications, and managing an IPTV network on a daily basis.

With a focus on changing job tasks and knowledge requirements for professionals, Next Generation IPTV Services and Technologies enables telecom operators, wireless mobile providers, cable TV companies, media companies, broadcasters, video production companies, and Internet portal companies to meet the demands of designing, implementing, and supporting end-to-end IPTV systems. Complete with helpful flowcharts and engineering schematics, it also serves as an ideal supplemental text for graduate- and postgraduate-level networking and IP protocol courses.

About the Author

Gerard O'Driscoll is an accomplished international telecommunications expert, entrepreneur, and globally renowned authority on emerging technologies. He has served in a variety of management, engineering, and commercial positions over the past fifteen years. O'Driscoll is widely regarded as an authority on the set-top box, IPTV, digital home, and mobile TV marketplaces. His Web site is www.tvmentors.com.