Connected TV is the future of Digital Cable

Internet Connected TV or TV with  Web2.0  features is a technology that uses cable as well as Cat 5 cable (Ethernet connection) to connect with the set-top-box. For Example a Smart TV device is either a television set with integrated Internet cap abilities or a set-top box for television that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic television set. Smart TVs may be thought of as an information appliance or handheld computer integrated within a television set unit, as such smart TV often allows the user to install and run more advanced applications or plugins/addons based on a specific platform. Smart TVs run complete operating system or mobile operating system software providing a platform for application developer.

There is a wide scope of internet connected TV. People normally use laptop for this but now it will be done through easy GUI for the persons especially using television. Different companies make different type of OS, some use Windows, some use Linux and others use Mac which is programmed in the set-top-box, therefore set-top-box becomes a computer with wide access of internet on the television. 

Smart TV platforms or middleware have a public Software development kit (SDK) and/or Native development kit (NDK) for apps so that third-party developers can develop applications for it, and an app store so that the end-users can install and uninstall apps themselves. The public SDK enables third-party companies and other interactive application developers to “write” applications once and see them run successfully on any device that supports the smart TV platform or middleware architecture which it was written for, no matter of who the hardware manufacturer is.

"Smart TV"s:

1. Deliver content from other computers or network attached storage devices on a network like photos, movies and music using either a Digital Living Network Alliance / Universal Plug and Play media server or similar service program like Windows Media Player or Network-attached storage (NAS), or via iTunes.

2. Provide access to Internet-based services including traditional broadcast TV channels, catch-up services, video-on-demand, Electronic program guide, interactive advertising, personalisation, voting, games, social networking, and other multimedia applications.

 If you are shopping for a new television, you have likely discovered there are many features to consider. With more and more homes having broadband connections and wireless networks, there has been a realization that being able to access the internet from your TV would be convenient and desirable. There are now many internet connected TV sets available. These televisions give you access to websites on the screen.

Internet connected TV can certainly provide significantly more information and entertainment content by virtue of this connection. An Internet-enabled TV is a set that is factory designed to connect directly to the Web and display content such as YouTube videos, weather reports and streaming movies or television shows. These sets differ from televisions that double as computer monitors -- although many can do that as well -- because no computer or outside equipment is required to display the Web-based content. It is important to note, however, that viewable Internet content varies by manufacturer.

To use the Internet-enabled functions on any set, you must connect the television to the Internet. In some cases, this can be done wirelessly, but most televisions require a wired Ethernet connection. An internet connected TV can give you access to content online. In most cases, these television sets will give you access to streaming video from select free and paid services as well as providing widgets to give you access to information such as weather reports, stock information, traffic, and so forth. Some also provide access to sites such as Flickr, Facebook, and Twitter. They are also offering more apps for gaming making them a well rounded entertainment device. Increasingly, these sets are connecting people, not only through online social networks but through services like Skype video calling.

They allow you to control all of this with your television remote. Some of these remotes are much better suited to web browsing. Some have full QWERTY keyboards, others have touchscreens, wands, and so forth for easier navigation.

Videocon launched its internet connected TV called DDB (Direct Digital Broadcast) that has Videocon DTH Set-Top-Box and Ethernet port built into the set to experience both DTH service and internet content. Samsung & Sony have also launched some models of smart TVs that work on Wi Fi modem.

Access to YouTube, Google and Netflix are common, but there are many other providers as well. Providers are added periodically. While there is quite a bit of free content, some of it requires a subscription. 

Internet connected TV models are becoming more and more prevalent. They may be called by different names, for instance, web enabled TV or perhaps smart TV. But in reality they are all the same thing; a TV that provides access to internet content. Videocon launched its internet connected TV called DDB (Direct Digital Broadcast) that has Videocon DTH Set-Top-Box and Ethernet port built into the set to experience both DTH service and internet content. Samsung & Sony have also launched some models of smart TVs that work on Wi Fi modem . Also there are stand alone IP devices that enable internet content to be viewed on any TV set.

Internet Connected TV has wider role in giving the content to the people. It is not like Cable TV or the DTH where you have to give a-la-carte or bouquet choices, but the personalized viewing that can be done at your convenience. Right now it is popular in Europe and US but it will d efinitely catch up in India and give a much wider experience to the users. The Connected TV has a larger dynamics but may take a little longer to become popular in India. I suppose that this could be an in thing in the future in India too. Even hotels and other ventures might use it. The public is waiting for such a step. In India internet TV has not picked up because access to wide bandwidth is very limited. With Digitalisation process going on, broadband penetration will increase and more and more people will switch to internet connected TV sets.

Internet TV can now be hooked on with even wireless broadband through a set-top-box cum router which can easily make way to easier access. This will prove a boon in rural areas where government is trying to provide broadband using WiMax.  Students in the villages will get much needed access to the world of knowledge available on the Web. Education, Medical facilities and of course hospitality will benefit with such a device enabling video conferencing using a TV set in the living room, college or school. It will be a boon for students learning about the anatomy of living beings. With Internet TV broadcasting of video content will be much more effective when television and the internet converge. The TV would no longer be an idiot box but the need of the future. Some day the internet will outgrow the present media and go much beyond everything.  This new innovation will certainly make a huge change in the broadcast market where broadcasters, advertisers as well as viewers will benefit tremendously.

Source: http://cablequest.org/articles/broadcast-technology/item/1848-connected-tv-is-the-future-of-digital-cable.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/articles/broadcast-technology/item/1848-connected-tv-is-the-future-of-digital-cable.html