New Usage Models Will Redefine the TV Experience
Watch, Play, Chat, Learn
Of course it is always fun and relaxing to simply kick back on the couch and watch your favorite shows and on-demand movies, but compelling new usage
models are about to arrive in the living room.
Aided by high bandwidth IP broadband connections, flexible new networked consumer electronics platforms based on Intel technology, and an array of
new IP-based services, consumers are about to discover great new ways to enjoy their TVs.
As Ivan Greenberg, strategic marketing director of Intel’s Consumer Electronics Group, explains, “Intel consumer electronics platforms provide OEMs
and service providers with high-performance platforms that have the headroom to flexibly support the roll-out of new differentiated services that go
far beyond basic IPTV and video on demand.”
In Taiwan, a TV connected to a service provider’s broadband network through a multifunction IP set top box lets consumers play online Mahjong games,
conduct voice over IP and video phone chats with friends and enjoy Karaoke enhanced with cool audio and video special effects. Intel is working with
its consumer electronics ecosystem to support these new usage models.
Hwacom Systems* VP of Digital Media Alex Huang explains the trend toward interactive multiplayer games, “Interactive Mahjong is very popular game in
Taiwan. This is an excellent example of the kind of interactive service that has been quite successful on the PC and is now about to add value to
the IP set top box.
“One interesting aspect is that with enough processing capability on the box, a popular gaming application like Mahjong can be enhanced with set top
box-based video phone capability that lets you see and converse with the other players. This is just one example of how complementary applications
can provide more fun and interaction for users – and new revenue opportunities for the service provider.”
Staying Connected with Video Phone
Video phone is one of the core usage models supported by consumer electronics platforms based on Intel’s media processor code named Olo River.
In a broader context, the real power of this new generation of consumer electronics is the power to bring people together into personal social networks.
The combination of instant messaging, voice and video phone with traditional IPTV and video media lets people connect, not only with the content they
want, but also with friends and family.
Basic games to enhance e-learning applications for younger children, and the video phone can provide networking opportunities for the entire family,
including older family members who may not be familiar with a PC.
Video phone capability is about more than making calls. A video phone in the living room, with a camera and microphone connected to the set top box
with USB, can support a variety of other usage models. Consumers can share their personal videos and photos while conducting voice over IP chats with
family members or friends. Chatting with friends while everyone is watching a sporting event can make IPTV a fun social experience.
Immersive karaoke is another popular usage model that can be enhanced by the added performance of the new generation of set top boxes powered by Intel
technology. The platform has the headroom. Your service provider has the songs and the special effects. All you need to bring is energy and enthusiasm.
OEMs, solutions vendors, service providers and content owners are exploring new ways to use the performance and headroom of Intel consumer electronics
platforms to deliver new products and services that will redefine the digital home experience. Processing intelligence in the client devices turns the
IP broadband connection into a pipeline for the ‘down-the-wire’ delivery of new applications. In the future, consumers can look forward to a continuous
roll-out of compelling new services.
Adding Smart Card* technology provides a secure authentication mechanism that could enable consumers to use their HDTV display to view and shop from
online catalogs or conduct other transactions through their service provider.
The application processing performance of Intel consumer electronics platforms provides a flexible foundation for new applications, ranging from
personalized real-time traffic, weather and financial data to local news and horoscopes.
What new experiences will you share using your TV?
Stay tuned. With intelligent IP set top boxes and other consumer electronics platforms based on the performance and headroom of Intel building blocks,
the best is yet to come.