First page Back Continue Last page

Application model


Notes:


A key aim of MHP is the selection of broadcast services, by the user directly or a web-like application providing an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). Pieces of MHP content to be presented together to the end-user are called a service. A service can contain broadcast audio, video and data and stored material. MHP terminals can limit on the number of services presented simultaneously and in practice might be limited to one. Services can be started and stopped by others (security permitting) allowing linking together of services. The detail of this part of the standard will need to be tested to prevent pirating and blocking of programmes by broadcasters. The features allowing the broadcaster to control use of content in the receiver (content "life cycle") need to be studied from technical and legal viewpoints. There are fields to indicate stored content is "broadcast related" so it can be controlled by the broadcast service as distinct from "stand alone" content. As a result viewers may be frustrated by content they know is stored in their digital video recorder but cannot be viewed. There is a risk the standard will open a technical and legal battlefield between broadcasters, and between broadcasters and viewers what is technically possible and is legal. MHP terminals that support internet access are only required to provide one application at a time. MHP terminals can be limited too flipping between Internet and MHP applications (not both on a screen at once). MHP applications can be paused while not on the screen. Internet applications can be started from MHP applications (for example going to a web site for more details of a product displayed on a TV programme). Once started the Internet application becomes independent of the TV programme (the user can look at a rival product's web site).