What are the Differences Between IPTV and VOD? Let’s Find Out!

It’s the era of online streaming, and two hot topics are currently trending – IPTV and VOD. Both are dominating the cord-cutting solutions, which people prefer over bulky cables or satellites. As streaming reaches new heights, these two terms, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and Video-on-Demand (VoD) content, are gaining immense popularity among streaming enthusiasts. 

Most people are familiar with these two terms, but lack adequate knowledge about them. In today’s discussion, I’ll provide a detailed overview of IPTV and VOD, discussing what they are, how they work, the distinction between them, and their overall relationship. 

Let’s read till the end to learn more – 

What is IPTV?

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a streaming technology that delivers television content, along with various types of entertainment (movies, TV shows, live sports), through the internet. With IPTV, you’re no longer tied to fixed broadcasting schedules or expensive hardware setups. 

All you need is a stable internet connection and a compatible device like a Smart TV, smartphone, tablet, or streaming box. Further, IPTV needs a subscription from a service provider. 

After purchasing a subscription for a certain amount, you can start watching live TV channels, on-demand content, PPV events, sports events, musical concerts, opera shows, and more. 

IPTV also offers various advanced features, including catch-up TV, parental control, digital video recorder (DVR), pause, and Electronic Program Guide (EPG), among others. 

In the short term, IPTV lets you stream live TV, movies, series, and even sports events on demand, whenever and wherever you want. Some examples of IPTV Services include Sling TV, FuboTV, Philo, Fetch TV, Hulu + Live TV, Tubi, Pluto TV, and EE TV, among others. 

How does IPTV work?

IPTV works by streaming live and on-demand TV content over the internet, rather than using traditional cable or satellite signals. Let’s check the overall process of TV over broadband: 

1. Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Content providers store TV shows and videos on servers, making them available for on-demand access at a flexible time. To do it properly, they utilize advanced systems, such as CDNs, to store and distribute content across servers for steady streaming. 

2. Encoding

Video content is encoded into a digital format for smooth streaming. 

3. IP Network

The video content is sent to the Internet Protocol network for distribution. 

4. User Interface 

Internet TV users require a set-top box, a Smart TV, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, or other compatible devices. 

5. Request & Playback

After selecting a program, it will create a request to the IPTV server. Soon after, the server streams the content directly to your device in real-time.

What is VOD?

VOD is video-on-demand content. This modern technology enables users to enjoy video content at their own convenience. They don’t need to stick to a strict schedule. VOD offers content through subscriptions, rentals, and pay-per-view services. 

Since VOD streams online, there’s no need for bulky cables or satellites. All you need is a high-speed internet connection, and that’s enough. 

This media distribution system allows users to access and watch pre-recorded streaming content on any internet-connected device, such as Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV, HP or Dell laptop, Google Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, etc. 

Using globally linked servers, known as content delivery networks, ensures smooth video streaming worldwide.

VOD lets you enjoy movies, binge-worthy TV shows, podcasts, and reality shows at any time. You can pause the program you’re watching and resume it at your convenience. Unlike IPTV’s focus on live or scheduled programming, VOD prioritises content accessibility and flexibility. 

The best examples of VOD services include Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Paramount+, Hulu, JioStudio, Disney+, Peacock, ESPN+, and YouTube TV, among others. 

How does VOD Streaming Work?

VOD has become the mainstay of on-demand content utility. It ensures viewers can enjoy video streaming seamlessly. Let’s check the snapshot of how it works: 

1. Content Storage

Pre-recorded videos are stored on servers or cloud platforms (mostly on data centres). These videos are categorised as per different metadata coding, such as titles, descriptions, subscenes, thumbnails, tags, etc. 

2. User Request

When a user selects a video, their device sends a request to the server. It ensures that they can enjoy the video they want to watch. It can be a music video, movie, documentary, or anime. 

 3. Content Delivery

The VOD server finds the video user commands. Then, the video will be transferred to the device’s screen in portions, and video playback starts afterwards. 

4. CDN Use

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) help deliver videos more quickly by utilising servers located closer to the user’s location, thereby reducing delays. 

5. Playback Control

Users can also use options like pause, rewind, and fast-forward. 

So, we’ve checked the IPTV and VOD basics; now let’s find out the distinctions between them. 

IPTV and VOD: How They’re Different? 

Internet Protocol Television is a subscription-based content delivery system that provides live TV, VOD, and PPV events to users online. In contrast, VOD is a particular on-demand feature. It allows users to access content at their convenience from a library that includes movies, music, documentaries, anime, and binge-worthy shows, among other items. 

Now, I’ll have an in-depth discussion on the difference between Internet TV and Video-on-Demand content. Let’s check: 

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

• Delivery Network

IPTV delivers its service over a private network. It mostly transferred its services through an internet service provider (ISP) or a telecom company. Hence, the chance of buffering and interruption is much less. 

• Content Type

The TV over Broadband offers an extensive selection of live TV channels, video-on-demand content (VOD), PPV events – everything in one place. In a word, IPTV is an entertainment hub for streaming enthusiasts. 

• Channel Selection

IPTV offers a range of live TV channels, including BBC, CNN, Fox Sports, ESPN, CBS, NBC, Star World, beIN Sports, Sky Sports, and many more. It provides local, national, regional, and international channels. Thus, users have numerous options to choose from. 

• User Control and Flexibility

In Internet TV, users have no alternative but to adhere to a channel’s broadcast schedule. Suppose a user wants to watch American Idol, Big Brother, Masterchef, or House of the Dragon on TV. They should point their eyes at the channel right after the broadcast begins. 

It means they don’t have much control over the content unless they don’t use the TV-shift(catch-up) feature. 

• Quality                                                                                                  

The quality of service generally depends on the ISP. IPTV service providers utilise Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) streaming technology to dynamically adjust stream quality in real-time, ensuring optimal performance based on a viewer’s internet speed. 

• Hardware

An Internet Protocol Television provider needs a set-top box (ex – Formuler Z11 Pro Max, BuzzTV Gen 5, onn. 4K Pro, Nvidia Shield TV Pro, etc.) with operator UI/middleware. It can be accessed on Smart TV, smartphone, tablet, gaming console, phablet, laptop, PC, Amazon Fire TV Stick, etc., devices. 

• Viewing Schedule

With an IPTV subscription, you can view the TV schedule through the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). You can even arrange the order of your favourite programs through this state-of-the-art feature. 

• Interactivity

IPTV offers various interactive features such as EPG, pause, rewind, fast-forward, resume playback, etc. These features elevated the IPTV watching experience. 

• Technology

Internet Protocol TV generally utilizes multicast streaming for improved effectiveness, ensuring stable and seamless streaming. 

• Accessibility

IPTV is a bit of a restricted device since it needs STBs and a router to run its service. It operates in a closed network. 

• Monetization

IPTV service providers generate revenue through subscriptions, advertisements, Pay-Per-View content, and partnerships with content providers.

• Examples

The best examples of Internet TV include Hulu+, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and others. 

VOD (Video-on-Demand)

• Delivery Network

VOD delivers content through the public internet. It maintains standard protocols, and the overall quality depends on the user’s internet speed. 

• Content Type

VOD is a content catalogue that contains movies, TV shows, documentaries, and the content plays by user request. 

• Channel Selection

VOD offers a vast selection of movies, TV shows, anime, and other pre-recorded content. Users can browse through the content titles and play the one they wish.  

• User Control and Flexibility

Since VOD is a library of pre-recorded content, users can watch it anytime and anyplace without a problem. 

• Quality 

The video streaming quality is limited due to the public internet. 

• Hardware

You can access VOD through Smart TV, smartphone, tablet, web browser, etc. But it doesn’t require any specific hardware. 

• Viewing Schedule

Since VOD is a content library full of pre-recorded content, there’s no schedule here. You just enter the catalogue, search for your favourite movie or show by typing the title. Then, you can start enjoying your streaming experience. 

• Interactivity

Full interaction. You can start and stop streaming at any time. 

• Technology

VOD uses unicast (individual stream) technology to stream content. 

• Accessibility

Since VOD doesn’t need any extra or specific device to run its service, you can access it anywhere, anytime. 

• Monetization

VOD monetization involves generating revenue through these paths – Subscription VOD (SVOD), Advertisement VOD (AVOD), and Transactional/Rental VOD (TVOD). 

• Examples

Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, etc., are examples of VOD. 

The Battle of IPTV and VOD: Which One Should You Choose?

Well, now we’re at the peak point of our lengthy discussion. Which one should you pick between IPTV and VOD? It’s a complicated question. Well, no worry. I’ll make it easy for you. 

Choose Internet TV

• If you love to enjoy events in a closed space rather than while you’re on the go. 
• If you like to watch live TV channels’ programs – news, cartoons, entertainment, music, dance, reality shows, podcasts, religion, science, etc. 
• You enjoy scheduling programming with a catch-up feature so you can watch it later. 

Choose Video-On-Demand Content

• If you love to enjoy pre-recorded content on the go, anytime you want. 
• If you’re a fan of Hollywood, Bollywood films from major productions from Marvel, Warner Bros., Paramount, The Weinstein Company, Yash Raj Films, to Universal Pictures, and Sony Pictures – this platform is a perfect destination for movie and TV series buffs.
• VOD platforms are currently utilizing AI to analyze viewers’ habits and provide recommendations based on them. Therefore, if you desire a personalized experience, VOD is the ideal platform. 

Final Thoughts 

So, we’re at the end of our discussions. The main aspect is that the use of video streaming is expanding day by day. The popularity of IPTV and VOD is increasing as people prefer cord-cutting solutions over traditional methods, such as cable or satellite connections. 

With the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the use of video streaming is expected to increase. 

Understanding the difference between IPTV and VOD is crucial for choosing the right one for your home or business. If you’re a fan of live TV channels, real-time updates on everything, and direct broadcast programs, go for IPTV. 

On the other hand, if you’re a movie or TV series freak and love to enjoy content at any time, anywhere, go for VOD. 

I hope you’ve earned enough knowledge on both terms. So, which one are you going to choose between IPTV and VOD? Let us know in the comment box below. 

FAQs on IPTV and VOD: How They Differ in Streaming Technology