Televisions have been a staple of almost all hotel rooms. But it wasn't until later that technical advancements allowed TVs to go beyond being just an expensive form of guest entertainment. TV sets now offer not only offer a completely new level of experience for the guests but also an amazing new opportunity for the hotels to directly reach and communicate with their clients about their services, as ever-increasing broadband internet connectivity solidifies the Internet as the preeminent channel of TV content delivery.
There are two ways to make use of the improved features of hotel IPTV (Internet Protocol television). Either a separate device called an IPTV set top box (STB IPTV) linked to the TV or a so-called Smart TV with built-in IPTV functionality can be used to do this.
Pro of IPTV STB
- Ready-made content when you’re ready
- A lot many entertainment options
- Cost friendly does not need expensive contracts
- International-level entertainment that too from the comfort of your room
- Better user-experience
- Offers definite analytic feature
Pros of Smart TV
- Offer many channels to watch movies, web series, serials, sports, news, music, art, culture, and a lot more
- The video quality is much better than that of your regular TV
- Several HDMI ports at the back of the smart TV
- Smart home integration
- Better models for voice recognition
Comparison
Smart TV seems to be the better option at first glance. It is simpler to set up and more aesthetically pleasing overall because it eliminates the effort of locating a location for a separate IPTV STB and attaching it to a TV. Particularly if the TV box has to be concealed behind the TV screen, which reduces the aesthetic advantages of today's ever-thinner TV sets by requiring more space between the wall and the screen. This makes Smart TV a tempting choice, particularly for spaces where multiple TV sets must be put, such as public spaces, hotels, etc.
However, a solution based on a specialised IPTV set-top-box may prove to be the superior option in the situation where it is necessary to install and manage multiple TV sets. The primary cause of this is the fact that there are an increasing number of IPTV content sources and that the IPTV industry is still one that is rapidly developing and improving.
There is a good chance that a specific Smart TV set's built-in IPTV capabilities will become completely obsolete before the end of its life cycle of eight to ten years because virtually every manufacturer of Smart TVs tends to use its proprietary IPTV solution, which already restricts the availability of IPTV content from the very beginning. This results in replacement expenses, which, in situations like hotels with numerous TV sets installed, can be rather high.
Conclusion: Both the devices are in good form. But we are not here to decide what is best for you. However, we might give you a solution that can prove helpful to you. If you’re trying to replace your old TV at minimal cost and do not need many entertainment options then you should opt for smart TV. But if you’re looking for a great entertainment device with good analytic features, then IPTV STB is your ideal.