Middleware for Digital TV: It's the intermediate software layer that allows the development of interactive applications for Digital TV, regardless of the hardware platform used by set-top box manufacturers.
Ginga: It’s the specification for the intermediary software layer standard (middleware) developed for the Brazilian Digital TV System by Puc-RJ and UFPB.
Interactivity Component: This is the term created by TQTVD to classify each and every application sent by the open Digital TV signal that allows the user to interact with the application using the receiver’s remote control.
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What is Analogue TV?
In order to understand Digital TV it is necessary first to understand Analogue TV, the terrestrial TV that is available today in Brazil. In simple terms it can be said that analogue TV is image and audio combined in a continuous broadcast. That is why we see blurred images and snowing picture caused by interference, noises, etc.
On the analogue TV the viewer does not interact with the broadcast and to watch their favorite programs, they must be near a TV at the time the program is broadcast.
What is Digital TV?
Digital TV sends digital audio, video and data files through the terrestrial TV signal. This enables a range of benefits to the viewer, such as:
High Definition (HD)
The HD images have higher definition than the standard (SD) by displaying a higher number of lines on your TV. It enables more details per image, providing a much more attractive experience to the viewer.
Widescreen format (16:9)
Traditionally, the analogue TV is formatted at 4:3, so the widescreen format permits viewing wider angles of the broadcast image.
Surround Sound 5.1
Also known as Dolby Digital. The viewer that has the appropriate equipment (home theatre with six speakers), will be able to listen to the Surround 5.1 (when available by the channel). This technology, which highlights the grave sound, is the same used in DVDs.
Mobility and Portability
The Brazilian Digital TV system allows programs to be viewed inside moving cars, boats, planes and also via mobile phones, notebooks, or any wireless device.
Multiprogramming
It’s an alternative for the High Definition, which allows different programs to be broadcast on the same channel, or even to watch the same channel through different camera angles. This functionality may be configured and the TV channel may reduce the number of channels and increase resolution; for example, two programs with higher resolution than SD, but lower than HD.
Interactivity
It allows TV shopping without the need of a telephone, voting, browsing the TV guide with your remote, picking your favorite camera angles on a football match and many other services, which will be made available as Digital TV spreads in the country.
For further information, visit: http://www.forumsbtvd.org.br