User talk:Ancheta Wis/IPTV

Internet protocol television (IPTV) is a proposed service currently in concept stage, which would be similar in impact to VOIP voice over ip (a technology which piggybacks an existing service on top of the internet protocol). In VOIP, the telephone service providers are currently threatened with a loss of market share from existing land-line customers, who are more interested in saving money on their phone bill. Similarly, in IPTV, existing customers for a satellite TV service might defect to a technology which allows a more interactive viewing experience, such as a cable TV service which might also be offering internet protocol connectivity to the world wide web.

But the difference between a standard one-way feed from a television studio of a television network, and a two-way feed from the audience back to a multi-headed broadcast could be dramatic. As an example, envision an internet church service; the minister could seek donations on-line, and identify the donors. The congregation could have special interest groups for younger churchgoers in a simultaneous feed.

Depending on the economics of IPTV, which is yet to be defined, markets of one might become more prevalent, based on programming which could detect who and where a sender is.

Those viewers who are familiar with the open-source model might glimpse other possibilities for multi-media expression and interchange of information or knowledge.