How Does Internet TV Work?
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Video Must Be Encoded
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Before it can be transmitted across the Internet, video must first be converted into a format suitable for digital transfer through a process known as "encoding." Using special software applications, a video producer feeds video--which may originate from recorded media, digital files or even a live camera feed--onto a computer hard drive. Components within the software known as "codecs" convert the video into a digital file that can be easily broken into data packets and sent across an Internet connection. The resulting digital file is then stored on an Internet-connected server where it is embedded into a web page or otherwise made available for download.
Users Connect to the Video
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Once a digital video file exists on an Internet-connected server, Internet users can access the file for playback. Depending on the server configuration, users may connect to the server using either standard web-browsing software, special Internet TV software or a digital device connected to a standard television. When the device accesses the file, the server converts the media file into small blocks of data known as "packets." Each packet is labeled with the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the user's computer or television, encoded with identifying information, then sent out over the Internet to the viewer.
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The User's Computer or TV Displays the Program
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When the viewer's computer or television device connect to the server and begin receiving video information, the device must decode the incoming video in order to display it. First, the device receives the data packets from the server where the file resides. Using the encoded identifying information, which includes important vital indicators such as how much data should be in the packet and in what order the packets should be assembled, the device reassembles the incoming packets into a useful digital video file. Then, using the appropriate codecs (which are usually available at little or no cost for popular video players such as Apple Quicktime or Microsoft Windows Media Player), the device converts the media file to electronic video and sends it to the viewer's monitor or television set for consumption.
Some Internet TV Can Be Controlled
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Depending on the type of Internet TV being viewed, optional controls such as pause, fast forward and rewind may be available. These functions are usually built in to the local media-viewer software on the user's computer or television device and function using proprietary software controls. In some cases, however, users can access additional content that is also stored on the server. To access this information, the user's computer or television device accepts input from the user, converts the input into short Internet-ready packets, labels the packets with the IP address of the server, and sends them upstream. The server receives and decodes the commands, then executes the user's instructions.
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