What Does IP Datacasting Mean?
IP datacasting is a broadcast technology that helps in transmitting digital multimedia and services like games, files and computer applications to mass audiences. Considered a cost-effective and efficient technology for distribution, the technology takes full advantage of broadcast media’s distribution capabilities with simultaneous receipt of content, which is made possible through a large coverage area.
Techopedia Explains IP Datacasting
A combination of IP-based service, digital broadcasting and multimedia content, IP datacasting helps in large-scale multimedia distribution to users. It mainly uses DVB-H technology for broadcasting, especially to handheld devices such as mobile phones. In IP datacasting, all the content is transmitted in the form of IP data packets, which are similar to the format used on the Internet for distribution of content. It thus provides the additional advantage of being available for both broadcast and conventional television content. Another advantage provided by IP datacast is the easy adaptation of content to the smaller screen sizes of handheld terminals, and thus increases the broadcasting efficiency. IP datacasting also provides the capability of interactive return channel for users.
IP datacast networks provide indoor coverage support for devices with small/built-in antennas. IP datacasting brings in a number of benefits for operators, content providers and consumers. For operators, it is an efficient and cost-effective way to reach out to a large audience. For content providers, IP datacasting not only helps in creating new business opportunities, especially for new products, but also opens innovative ways to reach a larger mass of consumers. For consumers, IP datacasting provides uninterrupted service spanning different access networks and also provides a new way to access various services with the help of different terminals.
IP datacasting is well suited for:
- Distance learning and training
- Enterprise content delivery
- Packaged services
- Pay-per view
- File downloads
