▾In recent years, broadcasting TV programs via the internet, known as IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), has significantly expanded. This broadcasting is primarily provided by telecommunications operators through their phone lines. What should you know before you start watching TV over the internet?
How does it work?
Connection is typically provided through high-speed internet connections or fiber optic connections. The undeniable advantages of IPTV include a wide range of TV programs and additional TV services, such as the electronic program guide EPG (Electronic Programming Guide), PPV (Pay Per View) paid program offerings, video on demand - VoD (Video on Demand), and other information services. The scope of these services always depends on the specific offerings of individual companies.
Where and how is IPTV available?
The availability of IPTV primarily depends on the availability of high-speed internet connections through which IPTV is transmitted. For instance, if you are interested in IPTV from a company that uses ADSL2+ for its transmission, then ADSL2+ must be available in your residential area. You can always check with the specific company offering IPTV about the availability of the technology. To watch IPTV, you will need a set-top box and, in the case of IPTV transmission via an ADSL connection, also an ADSL modem. Set-top boxes used for receiving IPTV are usually hybrid. This means that they also support terrestrial (DVB-T), satellite (DVB-S), and cable digital broadcasting (DVB-C).
What about simultaneous viewing and browsing?
You don't need to worry about any complications. Thanks to the separation of the bandwidth for phone calls and data transmission, along with setting priority for live TV broadcasting, you can simultaneously watch IPTV, make phone calls, download data, and surf the internet using a single fixed phone line or fiber connection.
Additional advantages of IPTV
- The watched program can be recorded for repeated viewing
- With the use of special equipment (e.g., DIGI2GO), you can pause, rewind, and watch the program from the desired spot at any time.
- One of the options to watch in real-time on TV or PC or another device is streaming through a classic media player. Players like VLC Player or BS Player, commonly used for watching movies from a disk, can also be used for watching TV.
- Another variant is streaming directly on the TV station's websites (Czech Television broadcasting also has this option).
Video servers instead of IPTV
Don't want to get IPTV and prefer individual programs? If you visit any of the TV station's video servers, you can easily watch programs online virtually anywhere and anytime (sometimes restricted abroad by broadcast license validity). To watch, simply select the desired program, click on play, and you can watch it directly from the provider's server. This seems to be an ideal solution for watching original shows, movies, and series from the TV station's production.
However, for real-time watching and streaming, expect that you will need a really high-quality, reliable, and fast connection for an uninterrupted experience. That way, you can choose high-definition quality, which will undoubtedly enhance the overall impression.
Why Subscription Fatigue Troubles Us and How to Stop Money Disappearing in 4 Steps
How much money leaves your account each month for online services? The recurring payment model often exhausts people because numerous small amounts gradually add up to unexpectedly high totals. The text relies on fresh data from 2026, reveals the vast difference between our estimates and reality, and offers four specific steps to help you better control your expenses.
Weak Wi-Fi? Internet through sockets improves stability without drilling
Do you have a 'dead zone' on a floor or in a bedroom where Wi-Fi doesn't reach, and drilling into walls is not an option? Learn how to use the electrical wiring already in your walls to transmit internet over the electrical network. In this article, we'll show you how a modern powerline adapter works, why it can handle 4K streaming and gaming, and what to watch out for with older aluminum wiring.
Wi-Fi in the car. How to create a connection for the whole crew?
Stable internet connection in the car is no longer just for the owners of the latest electric cars. Having your own car Wi-Fi is useful for anyone who wants to entertain kids in a traffic jam or needs reliable data for navigation. There are several options on how to set up a network in an older car as well. We'll show you how to get it all working and which variant will save you the most nerves and money on data transfers.
Why Does Video Lag Even with Fast Internet? Megabits Aren't Everything
Do you have lightning-fast internet at home, but your YouTube video or Netflix show keeps pausing? While fast internet is essential, it often isn't enough for smooth video playback. An empty buffer that can't feed your device with data quickly enough is often the culprit. Discover how to find weak spots in your network and what to do when the provider's theory doesn't match practice.
What are AI agents and how can they help you today?
AI agents are no longer just an experiment of tech companies. They are increasingly appearing in tools we use every day and can independently plan, decide, and execute tasks. We explain what an AI agent is, how it differs from a regular chatbot, and where it can actually save you time and energy.
What is cache and how to clear it
The concept of cache appears in browsers, phone settings, and when troubleshooting websites, but few know what it exactly means. Cache aims to speed up data loading, but sometimes it can be rather a hindrance. Let's explain what cache memory is, how it works in practice, and when it's sensible to clear it.