Fast/On-time Channel Zapping Scheme using a Cache Server over IPTV Multicast System

In this paper, we propose the fast/on-time channel zapping scheme using a cache server over IPTV (Internet Protocol TeleVision) multicast system. The cache server of the proposed scheme unicasts the cached data preceded in time of the first PCR (Program Clock Reference) of multicast stream on the switching channel to STB (Set-Top Box) device while minimizing the amount of unicasting data. STB device then adjusts PCR of both unicasting data and multicasting data for fast/on-time playback of the switching channel. Finally, we prove enhanced performance of the proposed scheme through evaluations in the commercial IPTV network.