The video industry has used Serial Digital Interface (SDI) to transmit video to consumers for a long time. The standard used cables to establish a point-to-point connection for the distribution of video and audio content. However, such traditional standards have many limitations when pitched against modern technology.
Video over IP is emerging as a new-age solution to distribute video content. The technique has become popular with many content creators and media houses for its convenience. In this post, we will explore how video over IP distribution system works to entertain countless people worldwide.
What is Video over IP?
Video over IP refers to the transmission of video content over the Internet Protocol. Or in other words, video over IP uses networks connected to the internet to deliver video content. Therefore, you can use setups like Wan, Lan, and Ethernet to distribute video and audio signals.
Online streaming platforms are a perfect example of a video over IP distribution system. The platforms send video, audio, and metadata over the internet to viewers sitting in their homes. Modern internet has the required bandwidth to carry large video and audio files over long distances without losing quality.
As a result, video over IP is becoming a preferred option for both consumer and commercial applications.
How does Video over IP distribution Work?
Video over IP uses the internet and Ethernet networks to deliver video content. For doing so, the content is broken down into different streams for easy transportation. Then they travel as individual data packets over the internet infrastructure to reach the end-user.
Unlike SDI, video over IP doesn’t establish a point-to-point connection to carry video signal. Rather, it deconstructs the material into several data packets and sends them over the internet protocol.
Video over IP is able to distribute video, audio, and related metadata like subtitles in one network data flow. SDI, on the contrary, uses a single data line and increases interconnection complications. As a result, video over IP is a simple way to distribute video content.
Video over IP uses a few tools and techniques to distribute audio and video content. The AV signal and metadata from the video transmission source pass through an encoder. The job of the encoder is to deconstruct the signal into numerous data packets.
The data packets generally pass through an IP switch to reach a decoder at the user end. The decoder processes the data packets and unifies them to appear as pictures and audio on the end display device.
Any setup that uses the internet or computer networks to distribute video signal comes under video over IP. It is applicable to on-demand video services like Netflix and Hulu that stream content over the internet. Internet-based video streaming also uses video over IP for distributing content to users across the world. Any live event telecasted over the internet also uses video over IP distribution.
Additionally, broadcasting studios are also utilizing video over IP. You can find it in many professional video distribution systems and infrastructure. The technology is becoming more popular as the internet is improving in speed and bandwidth.
Next, we will explore how video over IP techniques helps us remove the barriers of traditional video distribution systems.
How Video over IP Stands Out from the Rest
Video over IP uses a whole network instead of a point-to-point connection that unifies two ends. As a result, this technology is a better choice compared to SDI. Here are the reasons why video over IP is becoming the backbone of modern video distribution:
Use of Existing Networks
Video over IP uses already existing networks. You don’t need to install new cables or dig the ground. The system can use internet cables, modems, routers, and networks already established for the internet. As a result, you can save significant costs by using video over IP instead of SDI.
Seamless Scaling
Bandwidth is the only consideration for delivering video content over the internet. As a result, a video over IP system is easier and cost-effective to scale. Today, you can even deliver 4K videos and huge video data packets over IP thanks to broadband internet.
Deliver Content over Long Distances
The distance was a big barrier for traditional video distribution systems. The distributor had to incur more costs if they wanted to deliver video to a remote place. They needed to beef up their infrastructure and invest in more cabling.
Video over IP uses public and private networks for video distribution. You don’t have to worry about the distance of transmission. Broadcasters can be in the USA and transmit content to someone living in Australia without any problem.
Additionally, video over IP doesn’t suffer from loss of quality. Your video and audio quality between your source and end device stay the same even if the distance is 1,000 miles.
What are the Major Applications of Video over IP?
Video over IP has become the common way to distribute video. Some of the major applications of video over IP include:
Video Streaming
YouTube, Netflix, and any online video streaming service rely on video over IP. Live broadcasts of sports events over the internet also use the same distribution method.
Video over IP makes it possible to view real-time coverage of events using the internet. Traditional distribution systems have a lag of a few minutes and are not able to broadcast in real-time.
Video Conferencing
We are now used to video calling our friends and colleagues. You are using video over IP when you attend a Zoom meeting or using a messaging app to video chat. The apps use video over IP and audio over IP to connect people from different corners of the world.
Final Thoughts
Video over IP uses internet systems to broadcast video content. It uses networks like Lan and Wan to allow people to enjoy real-time content and video streaming. The video signals are broken into individual data packets that travel over Ethernet and fiber optic cables to reach viewers. Many commercial and consumer video distribution systems use video over IP for its perks.
