The user experience that a cost-effective IPTV system brings
Every industry has its own price points, and the IPTV system industry is no exception. I once read a short story: "In the mid-1990s, the price difference between Korean and Japanese products was as follows: electronic lighters cost $1.10 in Japan, $0.20 in Korea; sealing rings cost $0.20 in Japan, $0.01 in Korea; plastic parts cost $0.60 in Japan, $0.08 in Korea. Add to that the fact that Korean workers' monthly wages were 20 times lower than their Japanese counterparts.
After calculating the costs, the Korean boss proudly slammed the table and said, "A Japanese-made lighter retails for one dollar, while a Korean one costs one yuan. We can beat Japan!" At the time he declared this, South Korea had over 3,000 lighter factories of all sizes, producing two billion lighters annually, making it the world's largest."
IPTV System
Such phenomena are commonplace in the history of corporate growth. For the same product, some companies have crushed competitors in one sector after another with astonishing cost control—including raw material costs, production costs, labor costs, tax costs, environmental governance costs, and marketing costs.
Just as the Korean boss slammed the table in triumph, a user tried his lighter three times before it started to light, and the thin piece of steel nearly fell off. He calmly explained, "This is a disposable lighter. Many people throw it away after a few uses. There's no need to make it as sturdy as the Japanese." This detail in the story hints at a truth: the lighter's significant price advantage stems not only from various cost gaps but also from a deliberate compromise in component quality and user experience. Therefore, the so-called "cheap and good quality" is true, but the "cheap" is not necessarily true.
IPTV is the current trend in online life for the general public, and quality and user experience are paramount. However, some companies, like the Korean boss in the story, are cutting costs to compete on price. Products often remain unchanged for extended periods of time, sometimes even experiencing various issues soon after use due to inadequate maintenance. Some disposable products are purchased without maintenance, and when problems arise, they may require replacing popular products, leading to a search for "cheaper" options. This, however, harms both parties. Not only does it damage the user experience, but it also significantly damages the company's reputation.
IPTV is unlike commonplace goods that are thrown away after a few uses. It's a product we interact with daily. Even the slightest problem impacts not only the user experience but also the company's brand image. The seemingly cost-saving and inexpensive nature of these products hides immeasurable harm. I prefer to believe that good products deserve good prices. Good prices lead to good profits, good profits lead to good R&D, and good R&D leads to better products. The so-called "cheap and good quality" concept has its place as an advertising concept, and even as a periodic promotional tactic, it's worth exploring. However, it should no longer be the ultimate weapon for some companies, and it certainly won't elevate IPTV to a new level.
