It means that hotels, shopping malls and office blocks will now be able to get and watch DStv TV channels through the internet. It's called digital video broadcast (DVB) over internet protocol (IP) and will be extended to include gated residential communities and residential apartments later during the year.
DStv TV channels are delivered through a closed multicast internet protocol (IP) network, which is then split up and the signal then send through a fibre optic system to individual DStv IP decoders. ''Commercial customers now have access to a range of services that were previously restricted by bandwidth,'' says Gerdus van Eeden, chief technology officer at MultiChoice. ''We're proud to launch DStv into the world of IPTV.''
MultiChoice's IPTV offering comes with both standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) TV viewing options, surround sound, multiple languages, an 8 day electronic program guide (EPG) and parental control. MultiChoice has now pipped competitors to the post regarding IPTV, like the languishing Super5Media (previously Telkom Media) who's still non-existent IPTV pay TV offering would have been South Africa's first.
