1) What is digital television?
2) What is interactive digital television?
3) What is interactive TV (iTV) programming?
5) How can I receive FusionTV?
6) Why should I switch to digital?
7) Do I have to change my TV set?
10) What type of Set-top Box should I purchase?
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1)
What
is digital television?
Digital television is a new way to broadcast and receive television
signals. Rather than receiving the signal "off-air"
using an antenna or via a cable into your home, cable and
satellite subscribers require an Integrated Receiver De-Scrambler
(IRD) device, frequently referred to as a set-top box, to
receive and view digital broadcasts. The primary function
for this device is to convert the digital signal to the analogue
signal required by the TV.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently voted
that beginning 2004, television manufacturers must install
a digital tuner in all their TVs.
2) What
is interactive digital television?
The set-top box used to receive and view digital broadcasts
also include a CPU and RAM to support applications that enable
viewers to interact with their television using a remote control
or infrared keyboard. For example, the most common such application
is the Interactive Program Guide (IPG) that enables viewers
to navigate through program listings, an important application
given the vast array of channels that digital television can
provide.
3)
What
is interactive TV (iTV) programming?
There are two types of iTV programming, enhanced broadcasting
and standalone services. Enhanced broadcasts are traditional,
linear television shows with an interactive component. For
example a game show might allow viewers to play along. During
post-production of the show, digital "triggers"
are inserted into appropriate positions. When the show is
received through a properly enabled set-top box, the triggers
cause multiple-choice questions to appear at the appropriate
time so that the viewer can respond.
Standalone services are more traditional software applications
that run within the set-top box and use the television set
as the display device. In the short term, Joule will focus
on standalone services through the licensing of its interactive
applications, backend technology and its FusionTV product.
4) What is FusionTV?
FusionTV is a standalone interactive television channel. When
subscribers tune to FusionTV, engaging and entertaining iTV
applications are download into the viewer's set-top box. Subscribers
have 24-hour access to a diverse base of instantaneous, interactive
entertainment without the purchase of additional equipment.
FusionTV combines traditional full-motion video with exciting
new "non-linear" content including:
- Interactive games
- Interactive books and comics
-
Home networking services
5)
How
can I receive FusionTV?
Contact your cable or satellite service provider and ask for
FusionTV. Operators make independent carriage decisions so the
service may not be able from your provider.
6)
Why
should I switch to digital?
Digital television offers more channels, better picture quality
and new interactive features. It is anticipated that all broadcasts
will be digital broadcast within the next decade.
7)
Do
I have to change my TV set?
A new television set is not required, but to receive the digital
signal, you will require an Integrated Receiver De-Scrambler
(IRD) device or set-top box. All major cable and satellite operators
sell branded IRD's as well as the digital services.
8)
I'm a Cable or Digital Television service provider. Why would
I be interested in a FusionTV carriage contract?
FusionTV provides viewers with exciting and novel "non-linear"
content for television consumption and reliable new revenue
streams for cable and satellite operators. FusionTV's winning
format uses interactive and networking technology combined with
traditional contests to generate a channel community that:
- Drive subscribers back to Fusion TV
- Build brand loyalty
- Enhance a viewer's experience
- Add subscriber value
Operators benefit from iTV programming's demonstrated ability to reduce churn and FusionTV carriage deals typically include a 'revenue share" arrangement to reduce the business risk to both supplier and operator.
9)
How much is FusionTV?
Prices are set by operators and can vary between locations.
A price of $5.00 per month is typical of other similar digital
service offerings.
10)
What type of Set-top Box should I purchase?
There is currently a diverse selection of set-top boxes
and middleware. The capabilities of set-top boxes (or decoders)
vary widely. Joule develops programming and services that span
the range of specifications available today. Learn about the
capabilities of different boxes by checking out our Legend.