Benjamin T. Breland, IV

One of the hottest topics in the news today is the "set-top box." Everybody is talking about it, cable giant, Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI), Sun Microsystems Inc., and of course Microsoft. Before muddling through these complicated details, there are fundamental questions that need to be answered about this futuristic technology.

The set-top box along with several other next-generation devices are covering the headlines, however, there is little known about these products. What exactly is a set-top box, network computer, and high definition TV? How will they work, and, what impact will they have?

The term "set-top computer" started buzzing around the cable and computer industries around the end of 1997. The set-top box is the interactive link between the user, high-definition television, and the Internet. The computer companies supply the hardware and software, while the cable companies provide the already laid lines needed to run the service. Together, the cable companies and Silicon Valley incorporate their resources to implement the next level of future entertainment.

The set-top box is nothing more than a computer on top of your television set. According to TCI, these "next generation set-top boxes are expected to serve as the home’s platform for interactive entertainment, commerce, communications and education [while] providing networked services such as home shopping, banking, e-mail and Internet access" (PersonalJavaTM, 1998).

If all goes as planned, set-top boxes will be deployed around the latter part of 1999 or early 2000. "Devices that can receive broadcasts and use the web will cost between $300-$500, with DVD the price could go up to $700 for the luxury models" (PersonalJavaTM, 1998). For the set-top box to become a reality, Silicon Valley has to hold up their end of the bargain and supply real-time operating systems.

"The digital set-top is the ‘thin client’ portion of an overall digital broadband delivery system for interactive applications" (Luening, 1998). The set-top box, which will operate much like a personal computer, must have its own operating system, microprocessor, and scripting language. Silicon Valley has been working extremely hard to supply the technology for these cutting-edge devices.

One of the most hyped operating systems (OS), for the new set-top box, has been Microsoft’s Windows CE. Bill Gates and Microsoft have repeatedly tried to corner the market for the OS in these digital set-top boxes. Although they have made some headway, securing operating systems for 5 million boxes with TCI; they are faced with fierce competition (TCI selects Microsoft, 1998). Sun Microsystems’ PersonalJava will be Microsoft’s chief contender in race for the best OS for the set-top boxes.

Microsoft’s Windows CE is a leading operating system for use in a wide range of digital consumer electronic products. It is currently used in Handheld PCs, Palm PCs, and Auto PCs. These products are designed to be both mobile and connected. Window’s CE is described by Microsoft as "essentially the ‘glue’ that connects various computing components and enables new applications" (Hinsch, 1998).

People often ask what CE stands for. Actually the letters "CE" do not stand for anything. However, it does relate to the core concepts of the operating system: connectable, compatible, and companion. Windows CE enables computing and communication to merge. Due to the underlying technology of the operating system, it can connect "via TCP/IP modem connections, wireless and cellular PC Cards, infrared beams, and even Ethernet and serial cable" (Hinsch, 1998). This enables computing and communication to merge by allowing access to the Internet and personal computers.

According to Microsoft, Windows CE was built from the ground up, and is not just a stripped down version of Windows 95. Unlike Windows 95, CE can not just be loaded onto a computing device. To use Windows CE, you must purchase a product that contains the OS.

Microsoft is currently trying to push Windows CE into the realm of the digital set-top box. However, to be a real contender for the OS in these new devices, Microsoft must incorporate "real-time" capabilities into Windows CE. Currently, CE "doesn’t respond to user commands fast enough to fall within the strict parameter known as real time" (Oeler, 1998, Windows CE). This upgrade in Microsoft’s Windows CE is supposed to take place before the end of 1999. Until this upgrade takes place, major cable companies are going to have to turn to Sun’s PersonalJava as the operating system for the set-top box.

Since the cable companies are committed to working under an Open Cable initiative, they welcome several different software and hardware suppliers. Sun Microsystems’ PersonalJava, a real-time operating system, has received favorable attention from major cable companies and set-top box manufactures in recent months. PersonalJava is a slimmed down version of Sun’s Java. Sun’s compact OS has the capabilities needed to make the set-top box a leading form of interactive entertainment. "PersonalJava was created specifically for network-connectable devices for use for communications, entertainment, and mobile computing, such as set-top boxes" (Luening, 1998). In addition, since PersonalJava is a real-time operating system, the system will be able to provide the user with interoperable capabilities. Applications can be downloaded automatically to the end user with PersonalJava, allowing viewers up to the minute travel updates and even one’s stock portfolio. "The PersonalJava platform opens the doors for Java technology developers to create applets and applications that can run on any common consumer device that is connected to the cable network" (PersonalJavaTM, 1998).

Sun Microsystems’ PersonalJava seems to be a step ahead of Microsoft’s Windows CE in the race for the set-top box operating system. PersonalJava is already an up and running "real-time" operating system. Another added benefit is that "PersonalJava is targeted at developers writing applications for consumers who may not be computer-savvy and who interact with devices through a sophisticated graphical user interface" (Source for Java). "Real-time" operating systems and user friendly applications are two goals of cable companies and manufactures producing the set-top boxes. For this next-generation device to become a hot commodity, it must have a fast response time and be simple to operate. Sun Microsystems realizes this, and has answered these demands with PersonalJava.

In recent weeks, Scientific-Atlanta, a manufacture of set-top boxes, has licensed PersonalJava for use with its Explorer 2000. In addition, "Tele-Communications Inc. has signed a ‘definitive’ agreement to make Sun Microsystems Inc.’s PersonalJava the application development environment that it will deliver on between 6.5 million and 10 million TCI set-top boxes over the next three years" (Foley, 1998). With the Open Cable initiative and PersonalJava, Microsoft’s CE is going to have a hard time living up to the dominance of its predecessor, Windows 95.

In addition to the next generation set-top box, other products are making their way into the marketplace. Two proposed devices are network computers and TV-in-PCs. Companies like Sony, Oracle, and even Microsoft are backing these products.

Since the network computer’s (NC) conception about two years ago, not much has changed for this server-dominated computing device. Network Computer Inc., backed by Oracle and Sun, introduced the NC in 1996. The NC was supposed to be a low-cost, easy to use device that would replace the current PC. The simplified device can be used for communicating through e-mail, accessing information on the World Wide Web, and running software applications. Rather than running on its own computing power, the NC relies on a central server. The fact that the new device did not have to use its own computing power was one of its major selling points. Even though the NC is useful in many ways, the device has found only a limited marketplace.

Much of the NC’s lack of marketability can be attributed to the scarcity of a widely compatible software environment. Many have said that the "network computer is an idea before its time." "This is really cart-before-the-horse stuff…[t]he software architecture needs to happen before a major deployment happens" (Miles, 1998). In addition to the lack of compatible software, the recent drop in PC prices has deterred many consumers from the NC. Since the PC already has a software infrastructure, many people are turning to PCs for a "thin client" architecture.

The network computer was one of the most-hyped technologies of 1997; however, its sales were one of the lowest. "About 144,000 NCs were shipped last year, about half as many as had been projected" (Miles, 1998). Despite these low returns, network computer manufactures are supposedly expected to ship three and a half times as many units in 1998.

Another up and coming product is the TV-in-PC. This concept is kind of a backward approach to the set-top box. Instead of bringing the computer to the TV, you bring the TV, or the broadcast signal, to the computer. "Intel and Microsoft have joined together in an attempt to promote what the two companies say is the ‘killer application’ software that combines TV broadcast reception on PCs with Web-based e-commerce" (Oeler, 1998, TV-in-PC ). Intel’s Intercast software will be integrated into the WebTV for Windows feature of Windows 98.

Microsoft and Intel propose that the software will enable consumers to receive analog signals through their PCs. A TV tuner card, which will cost about $30, will need to be added to the PC to take advantage of the service. The PCs initially will be able to receive analog signals; however, they will expand to digital as soon as the infrastructure develops. By the year 2000 all PCs will be able to receive broadcast reception. In bringing broadcasts to computers, the television will transform from an ad-driven to a sale driven market. At the same time, this new service will expand the market for PCs.

High-Definition TV (HDTV) is one of the most important components in this swing to interactive digital services. This service will be able to provide higher quality video and audio than ever before. Data for interactive services will accompany the higher quality audio and video.

The Federal Communications Commission has set up a timetable that will start the transition from an analog to digital signal during the middle of 1999. "Major affiliates of networks such as ABC and NBC will have to transmit digital signals in the ten largest markets by May 1, 1999…with all remaining commercial stations converted by the year 2002" (Davis, 1998, Sorting). The transmission will begin as a 480 progressive digital signal and eventually increase to a 1080 interlaced signal (Oeler, 1998 MCI).

There has been much discussion as to what the format will be for the digital signal. Cable operators are leaning towards the computer industry’s progressive scan format. However, broadcasters would like an interlaced scan HDTV. The problem with the interlaced scan HDTV is that it is bandwidth intensive and cable companies might not have the required bandwidth necessary (Davis, 1998, Able leader). In efforts towards cooperation, "television, consumer electronics, and PC industries are working to enable content to be created once and then delivered over cable, satellite, DVD, and other media outlets" (Davis, 1998, Able leader). The reception of the signal will be possible through both PCs and digital TVs. PCs will probably be able to receive the signal first, since the technology is already there.

The next-generation of interactive entertainment is upon us. With technology increasing daily, fantasized concepts are becoming reality. By the turn of the century, set-top box and HDTV will be common household words, much like PC and WWW are now. However, are these new devices and services bringing us closer together, or will they become a substitute for human interaction?

http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,20912,00.html

http://www.zdnet.com/pcweek/news/0105/09esun.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsce/columns/980316marketplace.htm

http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,20912,00.html

http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,20691,00.html

http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,20803,00.html

http://www.new.com/News/Item/0,4,20882,00.html

http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/9801/sunflash.980109.2.html

http://www.asia.microsoft.com/corpinfo/press/1998/jan98/mstcidpr.htm