5.6. Examples of IPTV convergence
A. Web TV
Definition
A system and/or process that uses television to access the Internet via a set-top
box or a Built-in. Web TVs usually display fewer pixels per square inch than a
computer monitor. Computer monitors are digital while most TVs are analog
and analog doesn’t display well compared to digital monitors and digital TVs.
Another terms: Net TV, Web-over Television Services, WEB Enhanced TV,
TeleWebbing, TV-based Web Browsing, Web Over TV, TV Internet Access
Device,
Components
CPUs, RAM (less than a PC), modem, parallel and/or serial ports, built-in
browser, software package which includes e-mail option
Microsoft’ Web TV
# Microsoft’s Web TV – MSNTV Plus was one of the first entries
in the convergence of the WWW and TV
# Set-top box similar to a cable TV box
# Signing up with the WebTV access service
# Browsing Web pages using a WebTV's browser and a handheld control
# WebTV uses TV set as an output device
# Signals arrive through a modem (telephone line), 33.6 kbps
(Classic model) or 56 Kbps (Plus model).
# The most recent WebTV service includes support for Real
Radio, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and other Web technology.
Web TV as an application of TV-centric Internet
B. VoD system with IP/Ethernet Network
C. Multimedia Home Platform (MHP)
The Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) attempts to adapt existing Internet and
web standards for the Digital Television (DTV). The aim is to provide interactive
digital content that can be viewed on TV witn STB and multimedia PCs.
MHP was developed by the Digital Video Broadcasting Project, a Europeanbased consortium of broadcast companies and regulatory bodies. DVB
standards are published by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI). MHP attempts to merge European DVB standards with those of the
Internet.
MHP is intended to operate with satellite, cable, terrestrial and microwave
systems.
June 28, 2001 First MHP applications for digital TV
Multimedia Home Platform (Cntd)
Existing standards are in MHPfor content including PNG, JPEG (still
images), MPEG (Video/Audio), DVB-HTML (text/web pages).
The MHP specifications define three modes of use (profiles):
1. An enhanced broadcasting profile: for broadcast (one way) services,
2. An interactive broadcasting profile: interactive (two way) services,
3. An Internet access profile: Internet based, or Internet-like service.
Typical applications intended for MHP are:
•
•
•
•
EPG - Electronic Programme Guides,
Super teletext - for information services such as news and financial
information,
Video synchronised content - for TV game shows and sports information,
Security - for e-commerce and control of access to TV content