IPTV is being hailed as the future of home entertainment, and a growing number of people are enjoying the freedom of choice that comes with it.
Although there are no laws against IPTV per se, there are scenarios in which copyright infringement has led to legal challenges.
In this article, we’ll look at what IPTV is, what it can mean to you as a user, and how you can ensure that you remain on the right side of the law as a viewer.
What is IPTV?
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) delivers TV programming using the internet rather than cable or satellite. However, it’s not quite the same as the familiar Netflix or Hulu.
Although services like Netflix deliver their content using your internet connection, there are clear distinctions between streaming services and IPTV.
Here are the primary points that set IPTV apart.
How IPTV Delivers Content
Apart from offering on-demand programming, IPTV allows you to view regular TV content, including live broadcasts.
And, there are also dedicated IPTV channels out there. You may need to work around the technical limitations of your TV set, however.
Set-top boxes that allow for IPTV viewing are a common solution. Popular brands include Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku. Set-top boxes interpret the information your TV receives via the internet into a format it “understands.”
But, what many people don’t know is that set-top boxes aren’t always necessary.
For example, if you can mirror your computer’s screen onto your TV screen, your computer does the work of the set-top box. In that case, all you need to do is sign up for an IPTV service.
With the rising popularity of IPTV, smart TVs are starting to come equipped with the necessary technology to bypass the need for a set top box.
If you have a TV set with this built-in potential, you need only set up your service, and you’re good to go.
But, you may ask yourself, why do people go to all this effort to use IPTV? The answer lies in the type of content you can access. Let’s look at that next.
IPTV Viewing Options
If you have a regular streaming service, you’ll have plenty of on-demand viewing options. But with IPTV, you get this plus more. Your range expands considerably.
1. Live TV Broadcasts and On-Demand Viewing
Apart from offering on-demand movies, TV series and so on, IPTV allows you to watch TV channels live.
This is especially rewarding for sports enthusiasts, and those who want to catch breaking news as it happens.
There are specialised channels too, and the range IPTV makes available caters to just about any taste or area of interest.
2. Catching Up, Pausing, Fast Forwarding, and Rewinding
Depending on your IPTV service you may even be able to do some catching up on programs that you missed.
A catch-up TV feature stores recent programming temporarily. Missed your favourite program? No problem! You can view it outside its regular time slot.
In a similar vein, you can get options that allow you to pause a program currently being aired, rewind it or move it forward at will. This feature is termed time-shifted TV.
3. Watch on Multiple Screens
Multi-screen viewing is another way of ensuring that you don’t miss a minute of your favourite shows, and it’s unique to IPTV.
Here’s a simple example. You’re watching the big game with some friends, but you need to move to the kitchen.
Simply switch to a tablet or mobile phone and keep watching. Meanwhile, your TV is still playing.
4. Access Exclusive Pay Per View Content
You’d love to be at your favourite band’s concert, but there’s no way you can be there.
If they’re allowing pay per view broadcasts, you can simply buy your “ticket” and enjoy the show from the comfort of your own lounge.
Of course, that’s just an example – but it illustrates the concept nicely!
Enhanced Interactivity
You’re probably used to features like programming guides, and you may be a gamer or online shopper.
IPTV brings the promise of enhanced interactive services like these. Specifics depend on your provider.
IPTV vs Streaming Services: What You Get
Simply put, if you pay for a streaming service or cable TV, that’s what you get: nothing more, and nothing less.
If you opt for IPTV, on the other hand, you’re likely to get it as part of a bundle of services. For example, your internet service provider might offer IPTV as part of a package that includes phone service, internet, and IPTV.
Advantages of IPTV
1. More Viewing Options
You’ve probably already spotted advantages of IPTV in what we’ve discussed so far. For example, it goes beyond the popular video-on-demand services and allows you to watch live broadcasts.
Even if sport isn’t your cup of tea, you might want to watch events like the Oscars live or tune in to political debates.
You could literally access hundreds of TV channels and even international programming while accessing an even bigger variety of video on demand offerings.
Best of all, some of the content you can access is completely free from advertising. And, in most instances, you don’t have to pay more if you want to watch on devices other than your TV.
2. Better Quality Viewing
From a technical perspective, you’re likely to enjoy viewing without the potential for what is termed “packet loss.”
If you directly use your internet connection to watch media without an intervening IPTV service, you connect to a server and receive content directly.
However, “packets” of data can go missing owing to fluctuating bandwidth, and this impacts the quality of your viewing. If you’re using IPTV, this simply doesn’t happen.
3. Lower Cost
Traditional rates for cable TV are notoriously high. With IPTV, you can access far more options at a much lower price.
Subscriptions that cost as little as $20 will offer you far more options than cable can.
Disadvantages of IPTV
So far, everything sounds great – bit what’s the downside? Your internet connection, rather than IPTV itself, could be the biggest obstacle.
To enjoy all the advantages of IPTV, you do need a stable internet connection.
Speed isn’t quite as important as reliability. Download speeds of 25 to 35 Mbps for high-definition viewing (with a bit extra to serve any other devices you’re using at the same time) aren’t a big ask.
However, if your service keeps dropping, IPTV won’t work for you, and it may be time to look for a new internet service provider before you can fully enjoy it.
If this is you, you can browse our ISP reviews and price comparisons for your area. You may even get a more reliable, faster connection for less than you’re currently paying.
Is IPTV Legal In Canada?
As we pointed out in our introduction, it’s perfectly legal to use IPTV. However, the ethics of the IPTV service you choose may get you into hot water.
If an IPTV service airs content that’s protected by copyright law, it’s theoretically possible to track you down using your IP address. And you may be prosecuted.
At the same time, it’s not all that difficult to find a legally compliant IPTV service. Next, we’ll take a look at IPTV and the law, and how you can make responsible choices.
Background
Back in 2015, Canada rolled out a system allowing copyright holders to track you down if you viewed their content illegally and issue warnings through your internet service provider.
But some copyright holders didn’t stop at warnings. Instead, they often demanded cash payments to avoid prosecution.
What most people who received these warnings didn’t know was that they really didn’t have to pay up. This led to a change in the law in 2019.
This time, it specified that copyright holders couldn’t access people’s personal information or demand settlements.
But before you think this is carte blanche for you to watch anything, anywhere, anytime without regard for copyrights, there’s a caveat. You’re still open to prosecution if you use illegal IPTV.
There are workarounds like using a VPN to make you untraceable, but creatives are worthy of their royalties, and privacy kills the motivation to produce great content.
Plus, transacting with shady businesses might put you at direct risk. After all, they have your payment details and access to your devices.
So, let’s look at how you can stay on the right side of the law instead.
How to Know if an IPTV Offer is Legal
If an IPTV service is certified in Canada, it’s definitely legal. You can also look at the channels where an IPTV service’s app is available.
For example, Google Play and Amazon won’t market a service-related app if the service is not legally compliant.
Big brands have reputations at stake so that’s another way to approach IPTV with confidence. Examples of popular IPTV services in Canada include Apple TV, Direct TV, FuboTV, Philo TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.
Of course, if you’re getting IPTV through your internet service provider, they may be able to make some recommendations too.
When to Be Suspicious of IPTV Offers
Using the tips above, you’re sure to find a legal IPTV provider. But, what should make you suspicious of an offer you encounter or decide to test out?
Here are a few extra things that point to a questionable service.
If an Offer is Too Good to Be True, Be Suspicious
Legal IPTV providers have to pay royalties for much of the material they offer. They divide this cost among their subscribers.
If you find a “free” offer, you should be deeply suspicious – and the same goes for anything that’s far cheaper than you’d expect.
Don’t be tempted! Your payment details may not be in safe hands if you go ahead and subscribe. If there’s no charge, the “service” may be a vehicle for malware.
They Want to be Paid in Cryptocurrency
Asking for payment in bitcoin or some other cryptocurrency is a huge red flag.
An illegal provider doesn’t want to be tracked down, and accepting payment in crypto helps them to remain hidden.
Unlimited Content Options
Because legal IPTV services have to pay for the rights to offer content, they can’t possibly have access to absolutely everything.
While they can offer you a huge variety of content, there will be limits.
If a service is offering you way more than any mainstream provider can, you shouldn’t trust it.
Poor Streaming Quality or Tons of Ads
Pirated content rarely offers the same quality as legal content. Because of the risk of malware, and because it’s illegal, you really shouldn’t try using an illegal service at all.
However, if you’ve been taken in by an illegal offer, the quality of the service (if nothing else) should warn you that there’s a problem.
The same goes for invasive advertising – and if you’re seeing lots of popups, you can be sure that something is amiss.
There’s no Official App
Nowadays, just about anything you subscribe to comes with an official app to manage it. No app?
Or there is an app but it isn’t available on regular app stores? There’s no need to look further. It’s probably illegal.
Play it Straight and IPTV Brings More Info and Entertainment
We’ve covered a lot of ground, but if you’ve come this far, you’ll know that IPTV has a lot to offer. You’ll also know that it’s legal – as long as you know the rules and play by them.
IPTV is definitely on the rise, and it has uses that go beyond entertainment. But for the average person, more options, more info, and more entertainment are the reasons for considering a switch to IPTV.
It may also be the reason why you decide to look for a better internet provider. Be sure to compare plans. Your best option? Clearly, it’s going to be fibre!
