Enhanced
TV (eTV)
(Last updated
in 2012)
Enhanced
TV (
ETV, eTV)
-
The term "Enhanced TV" is thought to have been officially introduced by
NCI (which later became the former Liberate Technologies) in 1997.
https://informitv.com/resources/glossary
A more technical way to describe Enhanced TV is: the mixing (embedding)
of various interactive functions with the television (video) program.
This mixed signal is sent to viewers via standard television
transmission methods (including the
VBI)
and/or
telephone lines. Viewers with the aid of some sort of decoder
(receiver,
set-top
box, tuner card, etc.) can view and choose to explore these
additional features (elements) embedded in the picture.
Often to enjoy Enhanced TV, you can use your TV's enabled
set-top
box
(or equivalent device) or use a PC with a TV tuner card.
Various
Interpretations of Enhanced TV
(1) In "earlier" times it wasn't unusual for a broadcaster to
use
the term "Enhanced TV" when only offering additional episodes of a show
via pay per view. As offering additional episodes was not the standard
linear
TV of the day, they were known to have marketed it as
"enhanced"
programming. In the past, even
Personal
TV
(using DVRs) was at times referred to as "Enhanced TV".
(2) Many tell us that the difference between eTV and Interactive TV
is that eTV's interactive features are available only during the
scheduled program. Once the program is over, in theory the
interactivity should no longer available. "
Interactive
Television's"
interactivity on the other hand is available whether the program is
airing or not and may not even be associated with a specific TV
program.
(3) Another school of thought makes "
Interactive
Television"
synonymous with "Enhanced TV". To understand this version of Enhanced
TV better see "
Interactive
Television."
(4) When a particular program offers additional resources for viewers
to better understand its content, most often via their computer, Web TV
or mobile device. However this view asserts that Enhanced TV
does not directly
include a
return
path (back channel) for viewers to interact with others. Thus
chatting with others who are also watching the show would be
impossible, unless of course another channel for communication was
used, such as an Internet chatroom. They can however interact with the
programming by perhaps accessing additional information about the show,
characters, sets and/or products/services used. They might also be able
to vote about some aspect of the program as well as enter contests and
more.
(5) There are those who consider Enhanced TV to be any new service that
cannot be delivered with just a regular TV.
(6) Enhanced TV can mean TV (video) programming that is meant
to
be viewed along with another form of media such as a CD or DVD.
(7) Standards for Enhanced Television (Interactive Television
applications) that have been developed by CableLabs for cable
providers.
(8) In the past, due to negative publicity generated by
certain
failed Interactive Television deployments, primarily in the States,
certain
network
operators offering Interactive TV decided against using the
term
"Interactive TV", opting instead to call it the supposedly safer term
"Enhanced TV."
PC-based
Enhanced TV -
See
Web
TV for Windows and
2-screen
Interactive TV.
Various Related Terms
