This site is a guide to the various options for linking up your computer with your television set and for connecting the TV with the internet. It is an information source for a rapidly changing environment where the non-specialist often finds it difficult to work out the right solution to his or her needs.

There are both cable and wireless options for computer connections, including boxes such as SlingCatcher, Veebeam, EZVIEW and the Intel WiDi adapter, and boxes which do not require a computer like the Boxee Box, Apple TV and Xbox. PC-TV-Connect also explores options for connecting mobile products to home TV and audio systems.

A major new development is Web TV, streaming web content direct to the TV via a broadband link. A pioneer is the iViewer LCD TV from Cello Electronics, which offers BBC iPlayer and other channels. A wide range of Samsung HD televisions and Sony Bravia models are also web-enabled, allowing internet access for specific applications like YouTube.

The Google TV was expected to launch in the UK in 2011, but seems to have been delayed.  The YouView set top box, the result of collaboration between the BBC, ITV, BT, TalkTalk and some other UK broadcasters including BSkyB, has been delayed until 2012. (Lord Sugar has been appointed chairman).

These are forerunners of a revolution which is bringing interactive broadband to the TV, allowing full internet access for users.  Standards for Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) have now been agreed at a European level, opening the way for full Web TV.

An open source system known as Oggle, based on  the HbbTV standard, has recently been launched by Green Button. It is designed for the use of TV and set-top box manufacturers to provide Connected TV, combining television with direct internet access.

As the world of digital equipment expands, so does the content. The TV on the Internet pages provide information on film and video services which broadcasters are now offering, such as the BBC's iPlayer, and TV/film download services such as LOVEFiLM and Blinkbox.

Visitors will also find information on other websites such as YouTube, myspace and Joost.

We welcome comments on the content of this site, so please share your thoughts and experience by contacting us.

 

You can now search for video material via the Blinkx search facility: