What is interactive television?

With the advent of digital television, it is possible for communication (interaction) to take place between the viewer and the television. Also called, interactive television. A form of interactive television, for example, is Video on Demand, where you as a viewer can indicate - whether or not for a fee - which film you want to watch. Other forms of interactive television include participating in game shows and quizzes (BNN's IQ quiz) or responding directly to products during commercials via "the red button". All these interactive services are available via the television remote control and/or the digital receiver.

What is needed for interactive TV?

To use interactive television, a cable connection is required, via coaxial cable, DSL or fiber optic. Interactive television via satellite or ether is not (yet) possible due to the technology used. Many times HbbTV is offered as an alternative service via satellite or terrestic; this is an 'open standard' which tv combines with internet services. However, HbbTV can also be offered via cable.

The digital receiver must also support interactive television; a new television set is not necessary.

Decide for yourself what you want to watch

With interactive television you can decide for yourself what you want to watch. You can still watch programs you missed via the television provider or you can rent movies ("Video on Demand"). Depending on the film, there may or may not be compensation.

Video on Demand

With Video On Demand you can watch films and/or television series directly on your own television and pause them whenever you want. The range of films and series is very diverse and can consist of new films or series that have only just been released, or films or series that have been available for some time. This often also determines whether or not payment has to be made for the film or series in question.

The requested movie, series or program can be delivered to your home in various ways; There are systems that use streaming video and systems where the movie must first be downloaded to the digital receiver. The advantage of video streaming is that you can immediately watch the chosen movie, series or program. In the other case, it will first have to be downloaded and stored on, for example, the hard drive of the digital receiver or an external HDD.