Many observers think that the key, today is to viewer empowerment will be through the use of some form of Electronic Program Guides. Broadcasters have also seen that the EPG can act as a gateway by which the viewer’s choice can be guided.

We made a handsome contribution to define the EPG for France telecom in the broadcast system and digital TV ( DVB).

FRANCE TELECOM CNET then initialized a set of studies dealing with Man Machine Interfaces design which would enable the consumer to navigate through such a wide offer and to select video programmes according to his favorite topics of interest and to his viewing preferences. Theses MMI activities were accompanying the technical studies on Digital Television Systems, and were conducted in parallel so as to incorporate the users feedback and the commercial constraints as early as possible into the overall process.

From this first approach, CNET on its own decided in late 1995 to develop a specific EPG product for the purpose of FRANCE TELECOM corporate projects.

The design of this EPG has been accompanied and supported by numerous user tests, which themselves have led to a number of software improvements (mainly simplification and graphic style adaptations) and have allowed us to consolidate and assess the EPG.

A comprehensive approach of the Man machine Interface on the Set Top Box

The MMI cannot be reduced to the only EPG functions: all the functions by which the end user can switch on the TV set and access to any program through his remote control, enter a pin code to buy a pay per view programme, access to a remote server to get information on his account, etc.are not strictly EPG functions.

However, it is preferable to integrate the complete set of functions offered to the user through the MMI into a unique graphical and logical design, to avoid inconsistent procedures and presentations.

Optional features (can be provide in a addition to the EPG itself):

-Instant or delayed recording command (the SET TOP BOX is equipped with the appropriate connections to a VCR)

- Personal agenda

- Email downloads

-Pay per view

The MMI application developed by CCETT includes multimedia scenes devoted to the payment operations.

- Software downloading

The MMI application comprises functions related to software downloading.

- Applications interactive TV downloading: example Weather forecast or magazine (same teletext)

- Home shopping

When the STB can manage a connection to a remote server through a modem and a telephone line, the MMI software application proposes specific multimedia scenes.

The original approach:

Four all the features, you are defined a Virtual STB, Network, servers and channels TV in the "  Atelier de Simulation de Television Numerique ":

- Software STB

- Software Networks by the files (SI-DVB, tables NIT, SDT, EIT, CAT)

- Remote control (software and hardware for the users tests)

- Software smart card (external description of Viaccess)

- Simulate of the video MPEG2 (by Videodisc)

- Remote server

Tomorrow: Integrate the technology of the WWW and define new model
 

- Connect to the WWW (new)/ browser TV

In the context, we specify a navigator to supervise the control of the STB and the on-line electronic programme guide on the Internet.

EPG - the viewer:

It was to be used: Quick and simple
I must reflect the medium: It is still television

EPG and WWW: (TV +  web or WEB + tv)

How to link to the TV and others digital services via the browser to the data of the WEB.