Web-to-TV
Encyclopedia
A Web-to-TV installation uses a variety of third-party components, typically built around a PC capable of running a browser and the most popular codecs (Flash, Windows Media Player
, Real, Quicktime, etc.) and a home network
.
The hardware components required for Web-to-TV can be categorized as Media PCs, Media Extenders and Video on Demand
.
All of these solutions provide A/V outputs for a TV and Ethernet
and Wireless network
adapters.
and Dlink. Advanced game consoles - Xbox 360
from Microsoft, PS3 from Sony, and the Nintendo Wii - can be configured to stream or view content delivered from a PC on the user's home network.
solutions include AppleTV, the Netflix
player by Roku
and the movie service from Vudu.
Time Warner cable announced plans to offer a web to TV solution.
Sony has also announced plans to integrate this functionality into future TVs. Several major TV suppliers have made similar claims. The advent of high performance, low cost processors from ARM and Intel will ultimately bring the Web to (every) TV.
Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
, Real, Quicktime, etc.) and a home network
Home network
A home network or home area network is a residential local area network . It is used for communication between digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices...
.
The hardware components required for Web-to-TV can be categorized as Media PCs, Media Extenders and Video on Demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
.
All of these solutions provide A/V outputs for a TV and Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
and Wireless network
Wireless network
Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind. It is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and enterprise installations avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a connection between various equipment...
adapters.
Media extenders
Several companies provide media extenders including NetgearNetgear
Netgear is a U.S. manufacturer of computer networking equipment and other computer hardware....
and Dlink. Advanced game consoles - Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
from Microsoft, PS3 from Sony, and the Nintendo Wii - can be configured to stream or view content delivered from a PC on the user's home network.
LocalCasting
A new entry from ZeeVee connects to the VGA output of a home PC/server and LocalCasts (transmits) it throughout the users house over the existing coax wiring as a normal HD Dolby 5.1 channel that is directly tunable by all connected HDTV's. A unique benefit of this approach is that no additional boxes are required at each TV because only single LocalCast device is required to insert a private channel on the homes coax distribution system. In order to do this the monitor output of the PC is digitized, MPEG2 compressed, and QAM encoded all at HD resolution and in real-time. The LocalCasting PC is controlled with an RF remote or RF keyboard that includes a pointing device to provide normal interactivity with any PC application within a range suitable for the normal home. Another important benefit of this over-the-top approach is that it provides the broadest access to internet content because it supports any content or application that can be viewed on a PC.Video on demand
Examples of video on demandVideo on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
solutions include AppleTV, the Netflix
Netflix
Netflix, Inc., is an American provider of on-demand internet streaming media in the United States, Canada, and Latin America and flat rate DVD-by-mail in the United States. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California...
player by Roku
Roku
Roku , is an American, privately held, consumer electronics company that sells home digital media products. The Company is based in Saratoga, California.- Company profile and products :...
and the movie service from Vudu.
Content subscription
KylinTV provides a "box" that serves a number of Chinese language web channels. The service is sold on a monthly subscription basis.Time Warner cable announced plans to offer a web to TV solution.
Internet-ready TV
Sony Bravia Internet Link provides Web to TV without a PC.Sony has also announced plans to integrate this functionality into future TVs. Several major TV suppliers have made similar claims. The advent of high performance, low cost processors from ARM and Intel will ultimately bring the Web to (every) TV.