[HOME_NETWORK_TF] Some use cases and requirements for broadcast TV applications

Perhaps it would help progress the discussion (and the writing of the  
requirements) if I suggest some applications and requirements from a TV  
broadcast perspective?

I use the term "TV" here to refer to any device with TV receiving or  
personal-video-recorder capabilities - such as a TV or a set-top-box.  
References to capabilities such as recordings or access to on-demand  
services only apply if the device already has those capabilities.

All these scenarios only apply when all involved devices reside on a  
common home network at the time.



1) A web or native application that provides time-synchronised content on  
a "companion" device

Example: BBC Research "Autumnwatch Companion" [1]

A user watches a television programme (either live or playing back a  
recording). A laptop/tablet/other "companion" device displays a slideshow  
of complimentary content. The slides change to match the different  
segments of the television programme. If the programme is being watched as  
a recording or on-demand, the user can jump to a different point in the  
slideshow and the television will also seek to the corresponding segment  
of the programme.

Depending on the degree of timing synchronisation accuracy achievable,  
another application is to play alternative personalised audio. Examples  
include: a director's commentary or alternative languages. This might be  
streamed from the broadcaster's servers directly to the companion device  
and played through headphones in synchrony with the programme showing on  
the TV.

The "companion" may use the API served by the TV to:

  * identify which programme is being played
  * read or write the time-index currently being played
  * know if the user has stopped watching the programme or
    skipped forwards or backwards using a different control

The client may not have been the one who initiated the programme  
viewing/streaming/playback.



2) Integration of television viewing into websites

A broadcaster (or third party) web page is able to know what channel and  
programme you are currently watching, and provide easy links through to  
web pages or other content relating to that programme. When reading a web  
page about a specific programme or series, the web page is able to detect  
if your TV can access that programme through an on-demand service or a  
recording. If it can, the web page can offer to play it on the TV. The web  
page can also offer to schedule a recording on your TV.

Javascript in the web page running within the browser may use the API  
served by the TV to:

  * identify which programme is being played
  * be able to discover what content is available through on-demand
    services and the broadcast programme guide
  * discover and play programmes that have been recorded
    (or that could be streamed from another device)
  * schedule recordings



3) Alternative remote controls

A dedicated physical device, web page or application on a mobile device  
could act as an alternative remote control device. The interface might  
provide alternative, enhanced means of browsing available content and  
programme schedules and the ability to control the TV. The interface might  
be a dedicated simplified device with physical buttons representing only  
the most common tasks for users with physical disabilities or cognitive  
impairments.

Such a remote control may wish to:

  * toggle the TV between "on" and "standby"
  * be able to discover what channels and programmes are available
    through on-demand services and the broadcast programme guide
  * access basic programme metadata (title, description, genre etc)
  * change channel
  * change volume
  * enable subtitles, audio description services etc
  * book, play and delete recordings
  * seek and pause playback
  * play programmes from on-demand services
  * play other media the TV can access on the home network
  * activate/de-activate interactive services



4) Enabling on-screen applications to interact with client devices in the  
home network

A website or native application on a client device can communicate with an  
interactive widget, application or service on the TV. For example: a  
game-show/quiz may enable users to "play along", using their own mobile  
phones in time with the broadcast programme. Scores could be collated and  
compared on the TV screen.

Multiple client devices may wish to communicate with the API  
simultaneously.

A client may need to:
  * activate/de-activate a particular interactive widget, service
    or application on the TV
  * send to and receive data from the widget, service or application



5) Integrating social media with viewing

A social media web page or application is able to know what channel and  
programme you are currently watching and attach that contextual  
information to your social media postings. A different user may receive  
this recommendation and use the web page or application to request that  
the programme be displayed on their TV. This enables direct recommendation  
of programmes or collation of messages relating to a particular programme.

The application or web page may use the API served by the TV to:

  * identify which programme is being played
  * change channel or play a recording or on-demand programme





Matt

[1]  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/researchanddevelopment/2010/11/the-autumnwatch-tv-companion-e.shtml

--
| Matt Hammond
| Research Engineer, BBC R&D, Centre House, London
| http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/

-- 
| Matt Hammond
| Research Engineer, BBC R&D, Centre House, London
| http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/

Received on Thursday, 7 April 2011 11:16:16 UTC