Future Chronicles - Page Five

Volume 1, # 3 November 1997

Convergence:

PC/TV/Radio/Phone

By H. L. Siddons, Jr.

Category: Computers and Software

A Personal Historical Perspective

Here in 1997, everyone is touting "Convergence" as something new and exciting...yeah, right.

In 1989 I predicted the convergence of the common PC, TV (television), radio (AM/FM stereo) and phone (telephone). I envisioned myself using a computer that had the ability to watch television, listen to the radio, talk on the phone and control, monitor and manage other electric appliances in my home.

Correct my if I am wrong, but as far as I am aware, I was the only one at the time that forsaw this.

Add the TV database system I mentioned along with Smart home LAN's, and what Compaq showed at Comdex this fall brings us closer to the reality I imagined. My timeline for this was the year 2000. It is surprising just how quickly this is coming to pass and already several technologies exist that promise this marriage.

No one at the time even imagine this possibility, even though it seemed a logical next step, I mean it just makes sense, and why not? Perhaps in 1989 the basic hardware/software was there but the internet as an alternate pathway or gateway was not yet available to the public and maybe this is why convergence has come to the fore so recently.

TV+PC?? or PC+TV??

Today a huge battle is raising and many from each side are claiming their side will prevail. Actually neither will and both will...read on please.

Intel and Microsoft want the PC to be the integrator of the TV and PC. Television manufacturers and cable companies want the TV to be the integrator of the PC and the TV. As you read this both is happening and as new products are developed and improved we should see the differentiation fading.

As early as 1992, WinTV, a card for the PC allowed me to use Windows 3.1 to view television broadcasts through my PC. I could change channels and even cut and paste pictures from the television window.

Today, InterCast, a subsidiary of Intel has taken the concept a step further with a new Windows '95 interface and when Windows '98 comes out, it will part of the operating system, with a TV guide and all.

The Future of TV/PC PC/TV

Today, WEBTV has made an impact, albeit minor so far. But Microsoft was so impressed that it bought the company. A new version of WEBTV will allow the viewer to concurrently access the WEB and watch TV at the same time, a capability only available to those with PC TV cards...

• Today RealAudio provides a new way to listen to radio stations around the world.
• Today several companies like RealAudio, Microsoft (NetShow), VDO, VXTREME (recently bought by Microsoft), and many others provide plug-ins for World Wide Web browers to recieve television-like broadcasts. For example, today I can now watch CNN's Digital Jam via the internet using the Vxtreme plug-in, a show that I do not get on my local cable.
• Today, Internet Phone and Microsoft NetMeeting provide not only phone like communication (telephony) but the latest versions showcase video or video conferencing. Yes, I can use my 8mm Sony HandyCam as a television broadcast station over the internet! Anywhere in the world, live, now...wow. Ok, ok, the quality still suffers from low bandwidth, but the audio is better than it was a few years ago. And once the bandwidth issue gets resolved, we should see this convergence swell on the internet.

So when someone brings up and discusses about when the idea of "convergence" was first suggested, tell them that the concept was originated by ahhhh what's his name?? hint

1999 Update:

• In almost two years we see the bandwidth issue begin to make those needed strides as many cable companies (cable modems), local bell companies (DSL) and satellite companies begin providing wider bandwidth
• We can listen to a ever-growing list of radio stations located all over the world with increasing better sound fidelity (stereo and higher bandwidths).  This provides traditional radio stations a whole new market the goes way beyond their traditional transmitter range and market scope - something that will increasing expand advertising dollars for those stations as their audience goes worldwide.
• Both Real Audio's latest hybrid release and Microsoft's recently updated Media Player that comes with Windows '98 actually compliment and help promote both audio and video across the internet.  Internet sites like Broadcast.com and Microsoft's Web Events site provide fresh listings of audio and video feeds.
• Internet Explorer 5.0 now has a radio tool bar for quick access
• Music has exploded as MP3 and other technologies showcase potential alternatives to traditional CD distribution.   Once any legal issues get resolved, we should see this really grow.
• While some companies may eventually provide real-time back-end server TV programming on demand, others like TVIO go beyond the common VCR and instead simply use a next-generation computer based recording system to record your favorite shows locally but in higher quality.