Web TV
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the WebTV online service which was later purchased by Microsoft, see MSN TV.
A web TV is a specially-adapted television set designed to allow internet connection, or more commonly, a set-top box (i.e. cable decoder) which connects to a standard TV for the same purpose. The setup includes a web browser, cord or wireless (i.e. bluetooth or IRDA) keyboard and connection to the Internet (i.e. using modem, ADSL, cable, PLC).
While web-TV does not allow as much functionality as a computer-based browser, it is a low-cost alternative to a traditional computer connection to the Internet. A PlayStation 2 with a PlayStation 2 Linux Kit, a Dreamcast with the standard pack-in modem and the Dreamkey 3 ISP Configuration Set-Up disk, and a modded Xbox can be considered an alternative to web TV.
In 2000, the UK market also had products like the WEB2U and Bush Internet Surf Set. In 2005, the Netgem provided an EPG TV Guide for over 80 Freeview TV and Radio Channels. The set top box can be set up with Top Up TV pay channels. The Netgem's USB port allows for a 4 port USB hub option for cameras, hard drives, or memory pen drives.
The term web TV is also used about TV transmissions over the internet, usually by streaming.
