ATVEF: The New Standard for Interactive TV

Recognizing the need for standards in the upcoming world of interactive TV, a number of heavy players from the broadcasting and computer industries have formed ATVEF, the Advanced Television Enhancement Forum. As a result of their deliberations, the ATVEF specification for enhanced broadcasting is currently being reviewed for licensing, and more than 30 companies have signed on to make use of the technology.

Recently, Intel announced that it is phasing out its ground-breaking Intercast technology, which brought interactive elements to television through the PC instead of the TV or a set-top box. In its place, Intel now favors the newer ATVEF specification, primarily because of its broader market range and its more robust bandwidth capabilities.