Channel‐Zapping Time in IPTV: Challenges and Solutions

Unlike traditional TV that supports a limited number of channels due to the fixed radio frequency bandwidth, IPTV can support hundreds of channels through IP networks. However, finding a desired IPTV channel among hundreds of TV channels is a difficult and time consuming issue. To solve this problem, several methods and solutions have been proposed. In this chapter, we discuss challenges and solutions proposed for reducing IPTV channel zapping time. We discuss five groups of methods that try to reduce channel zapping time. These groups are client‐based methods that focus on users' preferences, content‐based methods that focus on coding of video, network‐based methods that operate on the network components, hybrid methods that combine other methods in the IPTV system, and program‐based method in which instead of selecting a channel a user requests a program.