BT interactive TV

Abstract

In the summer of 1994, BT demonstrated some of the key elements necessary for interactive home services. In particular the ability to transmit near broadcast quality TV pictures using 2 Mbit/s digital compression, broadband transmission over normal telephone lines and subsequent reconstruction of the pictures in the home. As a result of that trial, since October 1995 BT has been operating an interactive TV service bringing entertainment, retailing and education to more than 2000 homes and 8 schools in the UK. Delivered across normal telephone lines, the system supports almost 150 content providers from Hollywood movie companies to UK charities.