Interactive non-linear video: definition and XML structure

A literature review on the term "interactive video" and "interactive non-linear video" revealed different levels of interaction in varying definitions. We give a formal definition of the term "interactive non-linear video" to clarify the elements and possible relations between elements contained in such videos. Furthermore, we introduce a new event-based XML format consisting of four required and two optional elements to describe this form of video. A scene graph consisting of scenes with triggers for annotations builds the core of the format. Formal definition and XML format are both illustrated by a real world example.