The Question of Standards for Digital Interactive Television

Abstract

Pervasive change is near. Among the central elements of this change will be digital interactive television. It is generally thought that interactive television can have a profound beneficial impact on every element of the economy from average homeowner, to small and large business, and government agency. We have the opportunity now to engage public debate on what form interactive television should take. Should it come about as a series of private, mutually incompatible, insular systems, or should it be treated like television has traditionally been treated, subject to FCC standards akin to existing NTSC and the recently agreed HDTV standards. This article attempts to provide a framework for a broad discussion of such standards.