Richard Chernock

Issues in data embedding and synchronization for digital television

As digital television matures, applications which utilize data embedded in the broadcast television signal are likely to be an important feature of the new medium. The paper explores some of the issues involved in the implementation of systems for the utilization of data which accompanies digital televisions video and audio content. Chief among these issues are those which pertain to: (i) how data can be embedded into the television signal in ways which utilize bandwidth and buffer space efficiently; (ii) how the embedded data can be synchronized with its associated video and audio content.

Synchronized data services over MPEG—2 digital television broadcast systems

Until the present, the digital television (DTV) industry has focused providing high—quality basic video and audio services. With advancements in the underlying technologies, digital television is likely to evolve into a much more interactive medium, involving advanced data services and applications which are both integrated with and synchronized to the video/audio content of the broadcast. We present our approach for the implementation of these synchronized data services, with emphasis on the issues of content synchronization and the optimization of data placement in the broadcast stream.

nside iTV-Interactive Commerce Services for Broadcast Digital Television

Interactive television (iTV), i.e. the enhancement of the television viewing experience by the addition of multimedia content and services beyond the basic video and audio playout of a program, has a great potential for commerce, education and entertainment. By enabling the delivery to the home of rich multimedia content in coordination with broadcast television content, iTV can serve as a powerful platform for widespread home shopping and distance learning, among many other applications. The advent of high-bandwidth channels into the home, such as satellite, terrestrial, two-way digital cable and DSL, enhances iTV’s power and the prospects for its acceptance. iTV has the potential to move from a curiosity to a common television enhancement, possibly with the ubiquity of the VCR.