A benchmark for fast channel change in IPTV

Previously proposed methods for fast channel change include use special codec features (e.g., switching frames or adaptive playback) and approaches based on special content delivery infrastructure (e.g., edge servers). However, to have a basis of comparison, we have to answer the question: what is actually achievable by streaming with standard encoding and transport without additional infrastructure other than multicast? We derive lower limits for the channel change time that are achievable with multicast transport for a given bandwidth. This limit can be further reduced arbitrarily by using additional infrastructure.