Building on the early success of the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) project, the next step is to enable DVB compliant receivers to support an attractive range of interactive services. Various types of interactive services are described, ranging from simple voting and opinion polling, through information services and purchasing, to message services and remote monitoring. A number of worked examples are presented to illustrate typical applications. The implications for standards are then listed and the specifications which are being prepared are summarised. The specifications will include a set of network independent protocols, as well as specifications which are being prepared for the most popular types of network for the interaction channel. These will cover the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and its digital equivalent (ISDN), as well as cable TV networks. The opportunity exists to enhance the consumer experience by adding interactivity to digital broadcasting. The DVB is putting in place some of the enablers, to make this a reality.
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