Toob: I Want That Click

by Matthew York
Winter 1997

Thought-action. This is typically a sequence of events we perform very quickly. We think and then we act. If I'm hungry, I open the refrigerator. If I'm hot, I open a window. If I want an item in the store, I place it in the shopping cart. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do that with programs on television?

The concept has been embodied in several ways. "Video-on-demand," for example, is supposed to be the "killer application" that spurs the communication industry to build the new wiring infrastructure required to bring greatly increased communication capacity to every home. Some say it will be here in 5 years. True video-on-demand will allow a viewer to choose a TV program or movie, download it, and then watch it right away, resulting in immediate gratification. This will be really great if and when it ever happens, but there are a few things we can do in the meantime.

On-screen program guides (also known as electronic program guides) are a core focus of this magazine. On-screen program guides are found on all DSS satellite systems, and on many VCRs and TVs. They allow users to scan a TV schedule grid and then choose a program that they like. The program selection is usually accomplished by "clicking" a pointer on the title of the show in the grid.

Point-and-click program selection is available today with one minor hitch: there's a delay. There is no immediate gratification. Even though we can point and click to automatically trigger a VCR to record our program, freeing us from indentured servitude to TV program schedules, we still has to wait until the program airs to record it. Lots of you have been using on-screen program guides for quite a while. If you are not, you should consider it. It can dramatically change the way that you use your TV by putting you in control.

Most of these satellite and cable on-screen program guides still have lots of room for improvement, primarily in their program "search" functions. While many on-screen program guides allow you to search simple categories like sports, movies or game shows, these are pretty broad categories to scan through. If you were looking for a program about coffee, for example, these categories wouldn't be of much help.

Currently, to get full-powered on-screen program guides, you need access to a Web site on the Internet. There are many TV-listing Web sites to choose from and they usually include very powerful search capabilities. To have them appear on your TV screen, however, you'll need a `Net-top box or a PC/TV. In this context, you could search the listings for the word "coffee," and the software would not only look at the titles of the TV shows, but also at the descriptions that are typically found with the TV listings. For example, if there was a TV show about coffee and it was named "Java Drinkers," a keyword-only search for "coffee" would have missed the show, but a search that included accompanying descriptions would reveal that in the program Java Drinkers, "Bob Brier explores the life of a coffee broker and the high pressures in this competitive business." Very specific, very fast and very easy. Less explicit searches are also possible. Users can search for programs with "nudity" or with "family values." These are broader tags that are not so specific to the subject matter of the TV show. The cost for these services ranges from free to a $5 monthly fee. Most of the TV listing Web sites are free, but presently they can not automatically program your VCR, so viewers have to do that manually (which typically means that it won't get accomplished). Most TV, cable or satellite-based on-screen program guides are free, but some do require the user to pay a monthly fee to obtain listings information. Before long, I predict that all TV listings will be free. If some are made available at no charge, after all, it will be hard for others to generate customers by requiring a fee.

I also expect that in the near future, any Web site will be able to automatically program any VCR. For this to happen, an open standard for this communication protocol needs to be agreed upon by manufacturers of consumer electronics devices. This standard could be thought of as a "token." A viewer would select a TV show from a Web-based TV listing site, the Web site would pass an electronic "token" to the Internet access device, which would in turn tell the VCR when to record the TV show. As of this writing, there is some debate as to whether or not all Internet access devices will understand this "token", or whether it will be proprietary.

Microsoft has two types of software for Internet access: Windows CE is for `Net-top boxes and Windows 98 (due out soon) is for PC/TVs. Knowing that Microsoft has a reputation for open standards, we are extremely hopefully their products will recognize the "token." Once this "token" is agreed upon and implemented as an industry standard, then not only would powerful Web-based search and select control of the television be possible, but it would open a host of additional possibilities. The ability to hyperlink from a Web site to a TV show is just one intriguing possibility.

Say you like Harley Davidson motorcycles and you are visiting your favorite Harley Web site when you notice a "Hot TV Link" icon at the bottom of the Web page. It says, "Click here to catch the next TV show on Harleys." Selecting it will either take you directly to the show or program your VCR to record it when it comes on next, allowing truly seamless transition between the Internet and TV and bringing convergence to a level we are just realizing is possible.

I want that-click.