A recent survey of 6,000 consumers across the US, the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy found that 46% do not understand the term IPTV. So in order to help clear up the confusion and help you jump on the upcoming IPTV bandwagon, here is a list of eight things you need to know about IPTV:

1. IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television, which means you will be able to connect a box to your broadband Internet connection and receive TV channels on your regular television set.

2. You will have to subscribe to IPTV services at an additional cost or via a service package like Triple Play which most cable companies offer now.

3. IPTV will offer even more channels and you will be able to custom pick the channels that you want to receive to your set top box.

4. IPTV will be offered by your telephone or cable company and will most likely offer addition features or services such as VOIP (Voice Over IP) telephone service and a DVR (Digital Video Recorder).

5. IPTV will offer you the ability to use your cell phone to record your favorite shows. You could call or text message your box and have it record Desperate Housewives while you’re out shopping and can’t make it home in time. It will be the ultimate in time-shifting devices.

6. IPTV allows for 2-way communication between the program and the user. Say you’re watching Food Channel host Rachel Ray live. You could use your remote or keyboard to type her a fan letter or a cooking tip that she could read live on-air.

7. IPTV can help move PC-centric features over to your TV. You could be watching BET’s 106 and Park and get an IM from your home girl or see who is calling you with on-screen caller ID.

8. IPTV is not video on the web. Video on the Internet can be jerky, slow, grainy, and has to re-buffer a lot. IPTV will be as good as television and in some instances will be of HD quality IPTV