Soluciones de TV para hoteles: la diferencia entre IPTV, casting y TV por cable

Soluciones de TV para hoteles

Con toda la tecnología moderna disponible hoy en día, los hoteles tienen una variedad de opciones de entretenimiento en la habitación para elegir. Los propietarios y gerentes de hoteles ahora deben decidir cuál de las muchas soluciones de TV para hoteles es la adecuada para sus huéspedes. Pueden elegir entre la televisión por cable, que está desactualizada y es costosa, el IPTV moderno pero caro, o una solución de casting para hoteles.

Los huéspedes ahora esperan experiencias iguales o mejores que las que disfrutan en casa, incluyendo acceso a servicios de streaming, contenido personalizado y menús interactivos. Los hoteleros enfrentan una decisión crítica al elegir entre IPTV, casting y televisión por cable tradicional, y la elección correcta puede mejorar significativamente la satisfacción del huésped y aumentar la eficiencia operativa a largo plazo.
En este artículo, exploraremos las tres soluciones de TV para hoteles, compararemos sus beneficios y limitaciones, y ayudaremos a los hoteles a determinar qué enfoque se alinea mejor con sus objetivos de experiencia para los huéspedes.

¿Cuáles son las diferentes soluciones de TV para hoteles?

Antes de entrar en comparaciones, es importante definir a qué nos referimos con soluciones de TV para hoteles. Las soluciones de TV para hoteles se refieren a las tecnologías y sistemas utilizados para ofrecer televisión y contenido multimedia en las habitaciones de los huéspedes. Normalmente, estas soluciones se dividen en tres categorías principales:

  • Televisión por cable
  • IPTV (Televisión por Protocolo de Internet)
  • Casting (transmisión de invitados o uso compartido de pantalla)

Cada una de estas opciones ofrece su propio conjunto de características y compensaciones. Vamos a desglosarlas.

Traditional Cable TV

woman bored channel surfing cable tv

Cable has long been the default hotel TV solution. Through coaxial distribution, hotels provide a lineup of broadcast and premium channels. Cable requires receivers or set-top boxes in each room, which are then connected to a hotel master service.

Benefits of Cable TV in Hotels:

  • Reliable and familiar – Most guests know how to use cable TV and appreciate having their favorite channels.
  • Low-cost deployment – Many older properties already have coaxial infrastructure in place.
  • No need for internet bandwidth – Cable works independently of the hotel’s network, reducing the strain on Wi-Fi.

Limitations of Cable TV in Hotels:

  • Limited personalization – Guests can’t log in to their own streaming accounts.
  • Static content – Cable lacks on-demand access and interactive menus.
  • Reduced engagement – Younger travelers increasingly prefer streaming and OTT (over-the-top) services, making cable feel outdated.
  • Expensive subscription cost – Even basic cable packages are a big monthly expense, especially considering the numerous ads and decreasing popularity.

While cable still plays a role in some properties, many hotels are upgrading to more modern hotel tv solutions like IPTV or casting.

IPTV (Televisión por Protocolo de Internet)

hotel tv solution iptv for hotels

IPTV delivers television and multimedia content over the hotel’s IP network. Instead of coaxial cables, IPTV uses Ethernet connections to deliver both live channels and on-demand content through a centralized headend. Most IPTV hotel tv solutions allow hotels to integrate services like interactive program guides, video on demand (VoD), and branded guest portals.

Benefits of IPTV for Hotels:

  • Interactive guest experience – IPTV enables welcome screens, hotel promotions, room service ordering, and local information directly on the TV.
  • On-demand content – Guests get access to movies and TV series at any time.
  • Branding and personalization – The UI can be customized to feature hotel branding and even personalized messages.
  • Centralized management – Updates can be pushed remotely to every room because all TVs are connected to a single IP network.

Limitations of IPTV for Hotels:

  • Higher bandwidth requirements – IPTV requires a strong data network to stream content to each room.
  • Upfront investment – Properties may need to upgrade their existing infrastructure to Ethernet, which can be costly in older buildings.
  • Vendor lock-in – Many IPTV systems are proprietary, meaning hotels may be tied to one vendor or platform.
  • Expensive subscription cost – Due to its high level of interactivity and customization, IPTV comes with a significant price tag, making it affordable primarily for 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts.

Despite these challenges, IPTV stands out as one of the most powerful hotel tv solutions because it enables complete control over the in-room digital environment. IPTV is the ideal choice for high-end resorts and hotels. 

Casting Solutions

woman scanning hotel cast solutions, hotel tv solutions

Casting has become one of the fastest-growing hotel tv solutions because it offers the same experience guests already enjoy at home. Instead of selecting content provided by the hotel, guests can stream from their own subscriptions by “casting” from their mobile device or laptop to the in-room TV. Most hotel casting solutions use compatible devices like Google Chromecast or Apple TV, paired with secure guest authentication systems.

Benefits of Casting for Hotels:

  • Bring Your Own Content – Guests use their own Netflix, Hulu, YouTube or other accounts.
  • Simple user experience – Guests don’t need to log in to the TV itself; they simply cast from their own device.
  • Lower content licensing costs – Hotels don’t need to acquire VoD licensing or content rights.
  • High guest satisfaction – Guests get a seamless, familiar experience without the need to learn a new platform.
  • Customization and personalization – Hotels can display custom slideshows and videos like they would with IPTV

Limitations of Casting for Hotels:

  • Dependency on personal devices – If the guest doesn’t have a smartphone or subscription accounts, casting holds less value.
  • Bandwidth demand – Casting requires high-speed Wi-Fi in every guest room; otherwise, streaming quality will suffer.
  • Less interactivity – Compared to IPTV, casting offers less interactivity such as no room service, check out, temperature control, etc. through guest tvs.

Casting shines for properties with strong wireless networks and a tech-savvy audience. It’s particularly valuable for boutique hotels, extended-stay properties, and brands targeting younger demographics.

What to Consider When Choosing Between IPTV, Casting, and Cable

Because hotel tv solutions vary in functionality and investment, hotels should carefully evaluate the following factors:

Criteria
Televisión por cable
Transmisión
IPTV
Guest Personalization
Low
Medium
High
Infrastructure Requirements
Low
Medium
High
Cost of Deployment
Low
Medium
High
Recurring Subscription Cost
High
Low
High
Promote Hotel Services
Low
High
High
Entertainment Options
Low
High
High
Guest Familiarity
High
Medium
Low

Combining Multiple Hotel TV Solutions

Many modern properties are now implementing hybrid models. For example:

  • Budget Friendly: Cable + Casting – Maintains live channels while giving guests a personalized “IPTV-like” experience with custom slideshows and videos, plus access to their favorite streaming apps. This option satisfies both young and old guests as well as hotel owners with its budget-friendly offerings.
  • Full Experience: IPTV + Casting – Offers exclusive branded content and fully interactive guest features through IPTV including room service, temperature control, remote check-out, and more.  Additionally, allows guests to cast their own streaming services or access pay-per-view services and channels over IP. 

By combining hotel tv solutions, hotel operators can accommodate different guest preferences and maximize utilization of existing infrastructure. 

Conclusion: Which Hotel TV Solution is Right for You

La TV de hospitalidad reemplaza los folletos

Ultimately, the best hotel tv solutions depend on your property’s goals, infrastructure, and guest demographics. Cable remains a cost-effective option where modernization may not be immediately possible. IPTV offers deep branding, interactivity, and new revenue opportunities. Casting delivers a home-like streaming experience that today’s travelers love.

Forward-thinking hospitality operators focus on flexibility—investing in solutions that provide the best of all worlds. By embracing the right mix of IPTV, casting, and cable, hotels can enhance the guest experience, drive loyalty, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.

Still deciding between IPTV, casting, or cable?

Download our brochure to see if casting is right for you.
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