A METHOD, SYSTEM AND BUFFER ENTITY FOR SWITCHING NETWORK TV CHANNELS

摘要

A method, system and buffer entity for switching network TV channels. It relates to the field of the network TV technology, and is used for reducing delay of switching network TV channels. Wherein, the method is that: a buffer entity buffers generated switching media flow, and sends the switching media flow of a target channel to a media receiver after receiving a switching request; after the switching request is accepted, a media provider sends normal media flow of the target channel to the media receiver, so that the delay during the network transmission and due to performing the switching request by a signaling-side is reduced. Further more, the invention can introduce an authentication process, and the delay caused by signaling alternation during the authentication process is reduced. And it can be used for switching IPTV channels quickly when they are transmitted not only in a multicast mode, but also in unicast mode.