Introduction

Innovative and digital transformation are being witnessed by the OTT industry. Many OTT solution providers have emerged in the market. The demand has increased mainly due to the pandemic. People were forced to sit in their home and to avoid boredom they started using OTT platforms often.

About OTT Technology

OTT technology allows users to have easy access to entertainment and other channels not like traditional entertainment but they offer them through a subscription plan. The expanded library of the OTT platform will let users watch millions of videos whenever and wherever they want to watch.

Best OTT platforms work on the cloud for storing and delivering content. The equipment of OTT platform will deliver the content through the internet service provider which is more convenient for users.

OTT – Working Process

Video streaming through OTT is a bit complex when compared with traditional broadcasting. The entire process should be properly streamlined to enhance the viewing experience of the audience. For better streaming, the OTT platform needs professional-grade video streaming applications.

•       First the broadcaster will upload all videos on the OTT platform.
•       The uploaded data is transmitted to a remote server through a content delivery network (CDN).
•       The available video will be listed on the platform.
•       Users are now able to search and find the video they want to watch through the user interface.
•       The request is sent from the user, the platform will check for the user authentication and once the authentication passes, the platform will process the request.
•       The video player will collect video from the CDN and will play it for the user through the in-built media player.

OTT – Means of Delivery

A compatible device is always needed to view the content offered by any OTT solution provider. Also you need an uninterrupted internet service that will let users watch any video online. There are many compatible devices as mentioned below supports OTT platform

•       Mobiles – All smart mobile devices that include Tablet to watch OTT content. You need to download the OTT platform from either Google Playstore or Apple Store and then can use them.
•        PC – If you have a personal computer, then that is more than enough and you can just sit at home and can start watching video through your web browser or desktop-based application.
•       Digital Media Players – Devices like Chromecast, Apple TV are the leading third-party digital media players that can be used to watch OTT content.
•       Smart TVs – Today, most of the smart TV comes with pre-installed OTT platforms. Many leading and best OTT solution providers like Netflix are installed with the TV.
•       Gaming Consoles – Users may think that gaming consoles are developed just for gaming purposes. But that is not true, they can even be used as an OTT device.

Differences Between OTT and IPTV

Whenever we talk about OTT, we cannot ignore the term IPTV as many people are still confused with these two technologies. These two technologies have changed the way consumers watch video content.

Though they may look similar, they differ in the way they deliver the content. OTT delivers content through WAN (internet) while IPTV delivers them through LAN, WAN, and ISP networks.

When you check with quality IPTV delivers high quality but OTT viewing experience will get affected if the user doesn’t have a high speed internet connection. They may tend to buffer and the quality also gets affected.

Users can easily use OTT by just downloading the platform on their devices and can subscribe to the plan and start viewing videos. This is not so with IPTV; you may require additional hardware to function and they are quite expensive.

To understand more about IPTV services, you need to first find the best IPTV service provider and should check with all features. Compare them with OTT. Only then you will be able to understand how they both differ.

Benefits of OTT Platforms for Video Publishers

In recent days, video publishers prefer OTT to post their videos rather than preferring traditional broadcasting methods. There are many hidden benefits that give better output for the video publisher.

• Easy Accessibility – As OTT platforms are compatible with multiple smart devices, it can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. This flexibility will get more audience to the video and the publisher will gain better acceptance.
• Ad-Free Content – When a user subscribes a plan from any leading OTT, it means the content is completely ad-free. This will enhance their video viewing experience.
• Freedom of Choice – There is no restriction on program schedule. If you are watching a show on TV, you need to be present before the TV on the time of the show. If you fail, you will miss the show. This is not so with OTT. You can watch the show anytime and any number of times you want.
• Access to Original Content – All leading OTT solution providers offer unique and original content that are nowhere available than the OTT platform. Users can watch them easily.

Conclusion

OTT has started replacing traditional TV. There are more than 39.3 million OTT users alone in the US. And there are more than 300 OTT solution providers in the US. This clearly proves that we live in the OTT era. Get adopted to the latest technology and enjoy your life to the core.