The interactive TV home of the future – joining the dots
It is perhaps obvious from all the above that there are many exciting possibilities on the horizon for the iTV audience.
Screening process: The PC (whether as a central server or online conduit) will begin to play a more central role in how content is managed for the viewer. Key to this is the fact that the TV’s role will change and viewers will use a range of display devices for different activities and services delivered to them. There will be mobile, personal screens alongside the lean-forward work screens and sit-back sofa displays.
Storage solutions: There will also be a multitude of ways that a viewer can store and carry content around with them, from small video clips for phone and PDA to high quality archiving of BBC programmes, sitting alongside their own home movies on large disks centrally located in the home.
Remote control: The viewer will also have different ways to control their iTV experience. Broadcasters are involved with companies developing services which range from – in the near term – extensions to PDA devices that become remote controllers, or mobile phones that become the iTV return path to – ‘real’ blue sky systems – that allow viewers to interact with their ’screens’ simply by pointing or using verbal cues.
Tomorrow’s world: After all is said and done – most of the viewers – some of the time – will need simply to be passive – to sit back and be told a ’story’. The TV networks are guaranteed longevity in this space. The real challenge is being able to make interactive TV and other services as natural and engaging an experience as our greatest linear programming.