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Smart TV

A smart TV, which is also sometimes referred to as "connected TV" or "hybrid TV", (not to be confused with IPTV, Internet TV, or with Web TV), is the phrase used to describe the current trend of integration of the Internet and Web 2.0 features into modern television sets and set-top boxes, as well as the technological convergence between computers and these television sets / set-top boxes. These new devices most often also have a much higher focus on online interactive media, Internet TV, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming media, and less focus on traditional broadcast media like previous generations of television sets and set-top boxes always have had.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Similar to how the Internet, Web widgets, and software applications are integrated in modern smartphones, the name "smart TV" is akin to "smart phone".[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
The technology that enables smart TVs is not only incorporated into television sets, but also devices such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, game consoles, hotel television systems, and other companion devices.[23][24][25] These devices allow viewers to search and find videos, movies, photos and other content on the Web, on a local cable TV channel, on a satellite TV channel, or on a local storage drive.[25]

Contents

Background

The reception of digital TV and, in particular, high definition broadcasting in the home is well established across Europe. Internet TV and the delivery of multimedia content to the home user via the Internet are also becoming increasingly common, although such content is often viewed on a PC or fed to a TV screen from a PC via a media player connected to a home network.
Smart TV systems are intended to extend the reach of multimedia content directly to the television set in a seamless, viewer-friendly manner and to enable the TV viewer to more conveniently access both broadcast digital content and Internet multimedia content (including Internet TV and IPTV) on a TV set using a single remote control/box and a single on-screen interface.
A first patent was filed in 1994[26] and extended the next year.[27] «An "intelligent" television system linked with data processing systems by means of a digital or analog network». Apart from being linked to Data Networks, one key point is its ability to automatically download necessary software routines according to users demand and process their needs.
It was a significant enhancement of the Interactive Multimedia Terminal delivered in 1993 to the National French Lottery (Presidency of Gérard Colé) and certified by the court of auditors. This secured terminal using Mpeg technology and a touch-screen was networked to the French Lottery dedicated server using Tcp/IP.
A public demonstration was launched in Phoenix AZ, in presence of Industry Professionals, Investors, Lawyers, and a Justice of the Peace as witness.

Definition

A smart TV device is either a television set with integrated Internet capabilities or a set-top box for television that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic television set. Smart TVs may be thought of as an information appliance or the computer system from a handheld computer integrated within a television set unit, as such smart TV often allows the user to install and run more advanced applications or plugins/addons based on a specific platform. Smart TVs run complete operating system or mobile operating system software providing a platform for application developers.[1][19][22][24][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
By definition, smart TV platforms or middleware have to have a public SDK (software development kit) and/or NDK (native development kit) for apps so that third-party developers can develop applications for it, and an app store so that the end-users can install and uninstall apps themselves, just like for smartphones. The public SDK enables third-party companies and other interactive application developers to “write” applications once and see them run successfully on any device that supports the smart TV platform or middleware architecture which it was written for, no matter of who the hardware manufacturer is.
The two main services of a "smart TV" are:
  1. To deliver content from other computers or network attached storage devices on your network like photos, movies and music using either a DLNA service program like Windows Media Player on your PC or NAS, or via iTunes.
  2. To provide access to Internet-based services including traditional broadcast TV channels, catch-up services, video-on-demand, EPG, interactive advertising, personalisation, voting, games, social networking, and other multimedia applications.[35][36][37]

Benefits

Smart TV devices enables consumers to view all of these advanced services on their flat screen TV, via a single device. In addition to a broader range of content from CTM providers – ranging from traditional broadcast TV, video on-demand and catch-up TV services, like BBC iPlayer – Smart TV also provides consumers with access to user-generated content [either stored on an external hard drive, or cloud storage, and to a range of advanced interactive services and Internet applications, such as YouTube.[38]
Smart TV set-top boxes are increasingly commonplace amongst pay-TV operators, as they look to meet the changing media consumption trends for more video content, advanced interactivity and Internet applications, like social networking.[39]
Smart TV devices facilitate the curation of traditional content by combining information from the Internet with content from TV Providers. Services such as BuddyTV and Thuuz offer users a means to track and receive reminders about favorite shows[40] and exciting sports games[41] respectively, as well as the ability to change channels for immediate viewing.

Technology

While the concept of smart TVs is still in its incipient stages, with up and coming software frameworks such as the proprietary Google TV and the open source XBMC platforms getting a lot of public attention in the news media within the consumer electronics market area, and commercial offerings from companies such as Logitech, Sony, LG, Boxee, Samsung and Intel have indicated products in the area that will give television users search capabilities, ability to run apps (sometimes available via an 'app store' digital distribution platform), interactive on-demand media, personalized communications, and social networking features.[20][21][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57]

Operating systems

There is an array of mobile operating systems currently available, and while most are targeting smartphones, nettops or tablet computers, some also run on smart TVs or are even designed specifically for smart TV usage and are similar to EPGs.[58] Most often the operating system of smart TVs are originally based on Linux, Android, and other open-source software platforms.[28][29][30][31][59][60][61][62]

Interface design

See also: 10-foot user interface
Designing and developing a smart TV interface is a complex challenge, and not simply a matter of integrating the different input sources. The consumer experience must be optimized so that all media sources are integrated seamlessly and accessible through a single electronic programme guide, something which requires very advanced software programming.[63][64]

Social networking

A number of smart TV platforms come prepackaged, or can be optionally extended, with social networking technology capabilities, with which users can both glean updates from, and post their own updates to, existing social networking services (like for example Boxee's social networking features which other than their own interfaces with Facebook, Last.fm, Tumblr, and Twitter, among other similar services[65]), including posts related to the content currently being played. The addition of social networking synchronization to smart TV and HTPC platforms may provide an interaction with both on-screen content and other viewers than is currently available to most televisions, while simultaneously providing a much more cinematic experience of the content than is currently available with most computers.[66]

List of notable smart TV platforms and middleware

Following list encompasses notable smart TV platforms / application software that are used as software framework and middleware by more than one manufacturer:

Vendors' specific smart TV platforms

Middleware provider for TV set or TV companion box available to multiple third-parties

Managed by standardization bodies:
Managed by specific editors:

List of notable tier 2 platforms

"Tier 2" TVs are cheaper sets. The following platforms are able to upgrade Tier 2 TVs into smart TVs:

Controversy

There have been several controversies surrounding the smart TV concept and on-demand Internet streaming media in general, especially in the United States.[101] Cable providers as well as content providers have been slow to warm to smart TV platforms and devices, and some broadcast networks even been accused of using broadcast syndication against smart TV platforms.
For example, Boxee supported NBC Universal's Hulu quite early on, but in February 2009 was asked by Hulu to remove the service at the request of Hulu's content partners.[102] Boxee later reinstated the feature using Hulu's RSS feeds,[103] but Hulu once again blocked access.[104][105]
NBC, ABC, CBS and Hulu have also blocked Google TV enabled devices from accessing their Web content since Google TV's launch.[106] As of November 22, 2010, Google TV devices are blocked from accessing any programs offered by Viacom’s subsidiaries.[107] Of the content distributors, only Dish Network has embraced Google TV. Dish Network is promoting Google TV, offering customers a discount on the Logitech Revue.[108]

Market structure

According to a report from the researcher NPD In-Stat, only about 12 million U.S. households have their Web-capable TVs connected to the Internet, although In-Stat estimates about 25 million U.S. TV households own a set with the built-in network capability. Also, In-Stat predicts that 100 million homes in North America and Western Europe will own television sets that blend traditional programs with Internet content by 2016.[109]

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