WebTV Technical Specifications
WebTV Defined
WebTVTM is the first all-in-one, TV-based online service and set-top box designed to solve the complexities and hassles consumers experience when getting on the Internet. WebTV is a no-compromise, high-performance solution that provides easy-to-use, affordable Internet access wherever there is a television and a standard phone line.
WebTV consists of two components:
The WebTV Reference Design--a suite of patent-pending, standards-compliant enabling technologies and guidelines for the development of WebTV set-top boxes and integrated devices. These technologies make it possible for consumers to use their televisions to browse existing and future Internet content, as well as communicate through electronic mail.
The WebTV Network--a subscription-based on-line service that provides an easy-to-use front-end to the Internet. It provides added value by packaging content and special capabilities to address the information needs and interests of a diverse consumer marketplace. The service will be competitively priced with other online services.
WebTV Reference Design Specifications
Although set-top boxes based on the WebTV Reference Design will probably be the least expensive way for consumers to gain access to the Internet, they will offer performance comparable to the most sophisticated computer systems sold. A revolutionary new architecture--not a cost-reduced PC architecture--and a combination of advanced, patent-pending technologies, make a device based on the WebTV Reference Design both a low-cost, mass-market consumer product and a high-performance multimedia computer.
WebTV Reference Design standard features include:
Hardware:
- 33.6 Kbps V.34bis modem augmented with patent-pending LineshareTM technology allows incoming calls while WebTV is used on a call-waiting-equipped phone line, and prevents WebTV activation when extension phones are in use
- D1-class, 4:2:2 video output (digital studio quality); S-video, composite output; RF output with optional adapter; compatible with all television makes and models
- NTSC, PAL, SECAM support, including patent-pending WorldscanTM technology which formats Web content to appear optimally in all TV formats
- Patent-pending TVLensTM image enhancement technology eliminates interlace flicker without blurring, while perceptually enhancing image detail
- Patent-pending PhosphoRamTM on-the-fly image decompression technology minimizes memory consumption
- 44.1 Khz 16-bit stereo audio output provides CD quality sound
- 112 Mhz 64-Bit IDT R4640TM OrionTM MIPS¨ RISC CPU with digital signal processing extensions
- 1.8 Gigabit-per-second, patent-pending WebTVPortTM expansion connector
- ISO Smart Card slot supports ISO-compliant Visa¨/Mastercard¨, cash card, and ATM smart cards
- Universal remote control with patent-pending One Thumb BrowsingTM technology
- Built-in IR Receiver handles all major consumer remote controls, as well as WebTV infrared remote keyboard
- Industry standard PC-compatible keyboard port
- Custom WebTV-designed ASIC with TVLens technology, PhosphoRam technology as well as all system control functions
- Base memory configuration: 2 MBytes SGRAM, 1 MByte Flash ROM, 2 MBytes Mask ROM
Software:
- WebTV Browser, compatible with HTTP, MIME, HTML 3.2 and virtually all Netscape NavigatorTM 3.0 and Microsoft¨ Internet Explorer 3.0 extensions; produces high-quality TV images from virtually all Web pages
- WebTV Multimedia Extensions for animation, video special effects, transitions, TV-specialized layout
- All extensions backwards compatible with Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer to promote HTML compatibility
- State-of-the-art user interface refined from thousands of hours of usage testing and months of nationwide in-home trial
- On-screen Options Bar makes common functions accessible
- Flash ROM auto-update keeps the WebTV Browser current with latest HTML extensions and plug-ins
- Patent-pending One Thumb BrowsingTM and SmartScrollTM technology vastly simplify Web navigation
- European font compatibility (including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, etc.)
- Secure multimedia email with graphics and sound capability; MIME-compatible
- General MIDI-compatible with enhanced eMIDI instrument download capability
- Real-time synthesis of 128 tonal musical instruments, 84 percussion instruments, and audio special effects
- RealAudioTM streaming audio compatibility
- MPEG 1 and 2 audio compatibility
- Supports standard formats including latest GIF89a animation, JPEG, X bitmap
- Built-in Guided Tour and Help System aid novice user and expert user alike
- Patent-pending speculative caching downloads likely "next-click" web pages while the modem is idle
- Thin-client operating system with optimized access to WebTV and Internet servers
- Automatic URL completion makes entry simple
- Very large size text option to aide users with vision disabilities
- Entire User Interface is built out of HTML; easily updated from WebTV Network
- Software is scalable to support future communications and storage technologies
Optional accessories:
- Infrared full-travel keyboard
- RF modulator (for televisions without video input)
- Wireless telephone jack extension (for homes without a phone jack near the television)
WebTV Network Online Service Capabilities
The primary role of the WebTV Network is to work with the WebTV Reference Design to provide an intuitive, easy-to-use front-end that shields the user from the complexity of the Internet. However, the WebTV Network also has advanced caching and transcoding features that improve the performance of the Internet, making the WebTV Internet browsing experience faster and more reliable than current browsing on an IBM-compatible or Macintosh¨ personal computer.
WebTV Network standard features include:
- Patent-pending TransCacheTM technology caches, transcodes, reformats, streams and reorders Web site data for optimal download to WebTV device
- Patent-pending client/server encryption, maintains secure connection between WebTV Network server and WebTV Reference Design devices, using physically secure channel
- ExciteTM Search capability, specifically designed for TV browsing
- Five users supported per household, each with own (full) name, PIN number, personal Internet email address, favorite site storage, settings, etc.
- Parental control interface utilizes SurfWatchTM to block children's access to objectionable material
- Patent-pending MessageWatchTM technology periodically wakes up WebTV when it is off to dial-in and check for new email, lighting the message LED on the set-top box to notify the user
- Smart advertisement insertion based on user interests and location
- Automatically focused local content, including local business directory and classified ads
- WebChannelTM premium service support, manages free trial periods, billing and verifications of for-pay content sites
- Web Guide Internet directory provides simple, useful on-ramp to the Internet
- WebTV Directory Crawler automatically updates Web Guide Internet directory when sites are down
- Patent-pending AutoAccessTM technology automatically determines local access numbers for optimal Internet access provision
- All user information is backed up to WebTV Network, so user preferences are immune to power outages
- Server-centric applications framework supports automatic applications download and upgrade; entirely new applications can be delivered online to existing users
- MIDI JukeboxTM application supports customized background music per user
- General purpose communications language supports access through any point of presence and any Internet Access Provider
- State of the art service framework supports modular scalability, dynamic load balancing, and no single points of failure
- Integrated monitoring and tracking system instantly notes any service component problem, and supports logging of information of client and server for demographic compilation
- Usenet Newsreader with automatic graphics and MIDI binary detection, decode, decompression and playback
AutoAccess, Lineshare, MessageWatch, MIDI Jukebox, One Thumb Browsing, PhosphoRam, SmartScroll, TransCache, TVLens, WebChannel, WebTV, WebTVPort, and Worldscan are trademarks of WebTV Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.