[opendtv] Re: News: What Convergence? TV's Hesitant March to the Net

At 4:21 PM -0500 2/16/09, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:

Craig Birkmaier posted:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/technology/internet/16chip.html?_r=1&t
h&emc=th

Very interesting article.

I too don't look forward to the virus protection and constant update
requirements on the TV set too.


Why should this be necessary?

It is not that difficult to build an OS and browser that is robust and secure.
I've never heard of any problems with AppleTV, although the web access features are still restricted. More important, I have not had any virus problems with my MacBook Pro or iPhone.
I think this issue is blown out of proportion, however, I do agree that TVs could be an interesting target. 


But that aside, now that broadcasters
(mainly the networks, worldwide) are putting their content on the web,
and radio stations have been doing so for many more years, there's no
question that I'd like a way to get that content to the TV set and audio
system. Instead of being limited to the PC for viewing or listening.


Yup.



And on the subject of Internet ads and TV viewing habits:

When viewing web-based TV, just like the "real thing," I very much
dislike clutter on the screen. I always go full screen for the video,
which naturally shoves aside any annoying, blinking ads that might have
been present before. The only ads that "work" are ads much as they
appear on broadcast TV.

So really, there is no difference between TV viewed over this medium, or
over the broadcast medium, other than image and audio quality (which
will improve over time, as faster broadband access and faster routing in
ISP networks become available). The Internet becomes just another medium
for TV distribution, and the viewer experience remains much the same as
before.
The biggest challenge here is the user interface. Keyboards and mice are not a viable solution. But the touch interface on a remote control could solve that problem. Even more important, multiple users could interact from existing devices like the Pod Touch to play games and control the surfing experience in small groups. 

Regards
Craig


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