Interactive TV formats
© Gary Hayes 2004
The chart below represents a non-exhaustive list of the formats that one would find across a range of interactive tv platforms. These are very high level descriptions but give the reader some sense of the scope of interactive TV, particularly the differences between synchronised, dynamic and video led services.
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Service types |
Definition or example/s: | Return path extras |
| Static informational | Services (news or entertainment wrap-arounds for example) where the information is fixed small components do not update regularly. Often 24/7 type services, factsheets, general programme information – the whole application and associated data will update at the same time | |
| Dynamic informational | Services where the information is dynamic and parts of the service update regularly from the broadcast stream. The data feeds are from a variety of sources. Prospective caching key feature. Digital text news and info, Wimbledon and other sports scores and stats, broadcast chat (live feeds into environment) etc:, | Elements could be delivered via RP and come from online web or other online data sources |
| Multi stream video | Services where the interaction is based around alternate, parallel streamed video tightly synchronized and guided switches as pre-production or live streams where viewer decides on switch points |
Potentially in broadband STB’s alternate streams could come via this route |
| Linear with non-sync |
Linear programme with non-synchronised service application (static or dynamic) eg: cookery application with general recipe info on during tx |
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|
Linear with sync |
Linear programme with synchronised service application (static or dynamic) eg: play along quiz formats, voting at key moments etc: | |
| Multi stream audio | Multi, parallel stream linear audio programme eg: director commentary, no commentary or alternative perspective audio | Potentially in broadband STB’s alternate streams could come via this route |
| Non-linear one stream segmented av show | Non-linear, on demand single video/audio programme. Applications that allow viewers to jump between segments or chapters, guided or freely | |
| Non-linear multi stream | Non-linear multi, parallel stream video programme. Applications that allow viewers to jump between segments from multiple programmes guided or freely | |
| Mix and match | Video with audio programme (component) Ids eg: Channel1 video with Channel2 audio. Simple channel mixing applications | |
| Parallel ‘layer controlled’ audio or video support | Multiple decoders allow dynamic mixing of audio or video. Ability to control the mix of audio levels from multiple channels | |
| Quizzes, puzzles and games | ||
| Quiz – Basic multiple choice |
Non synchronized, standalone multiple choice question and response with or without basic logic and end calculation |
Integrated leader boards or real time inclusion in programme |
|
Quiz – Text or number entry |
Entering real text or numbers into rather than just selecting from multiple choice. Responses may be based on analysis of text/number strings | Integrated leader boards or real time inclusion in programme |
| Synchronised quiz | Synchronised with audio and/or video (the programme) – pre-record or live format. Based on events, timecode or timers. | Integrated leader boards or real time inclusion in programme |
| Re-ordering | Competitions based on moving lists, objects into correct orders | Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Positional | Challenges or games such as ‘Spot the Ball’, quess where something is |
Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Logic based games |
IQ type games, complex non twitch based on calculations |
Leader boards and multi player networking |
|
Word games |
Examples Wordsearch, anagrams, hangman, crossword | Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Positional games | Square slider, matching pairs | Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Board games | Chess through to multiplayer throw dice formats | Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Text based gaming |
Leader boards and multi player networking |
|
| Turn based games |
Selecting a sequence of events that then runs against an opponents sequence such as fight moves, or battleships etc: |
Leader boards and multi player networking |
|
Following a sequence |
Temporal, simon says, red next then green etc | Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Simple ‘twitch’ games | Retro style games on 1st generation STB’s – pacman, space invaders etc | Leader boards and multi player networking |
| Requiring Intermittent or continuous return path services | ||
| Single impulse vote | ala ‘clap-ometer’ – mass aggregation of single hit ‘press red now if you think this’ type votes |
na |
| Impulse vote from choices |
Vote from range of items – favourite act, band etc |
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Impulse Yes/No vote |
Impulse vote from two choices yes/no | |
| Impulse vote with a value | Vote for something to happen with a value attached – eg: how many tins of baked beans should he eat | |
| Chats | The show displays chats taking place over local and remote systems | Participation in chats |
| Submit answers/form | Press now to send off answers or details – quiz or competition | |
| SMS using mobile | Sending text from mobile into iTV or web platforms | |
| SMS using TV remote | Entry of messages using TV number/letter keys | |
| Multi player TS networked services/games | Multi point networking in either time-shifted mode | |
| Interactive promotion |
Local interaction, request for more info sent to providers |
|
| Formats that ideally require a continuous connection to be delivered | ||
| Chat Forum | Using built in platform functionality | |
| Chat Forum via web | STB with other infrastructure layer eg: web chat engine in web browser on top of proprietary api | |
| Threaded mail discussions | Listed as discussion threads such as usenet type | |
| Point to point | Show enables/includes one to one mailing | |
| 3rd party point to point | Using 3rd party peer to peer (one to one) chat facility layered over the show | |
| Voice chat using mic capability | Speech to text engine enabling chat/mailing using IP for example | |
| Dual player networked |
One to one, peer networking |
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Multi player networked |
Multi point networking in real time | |
| Non-linear audio-video | Services where the interaction is based mostly around choosing alternate audio or video files – VOD and AOD, maybe combined multi stream | |
|
General functionality |
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Elimination and timer |
Challenges against the clock | |
| Categories | User can select from batches of questions | |
| Level based quiz/game | Cannot move on without completing last level – Difficulty or linear challenge… | |
| Local multi player | Players using the same box in the same space | |