Audio Video News

Ever since Internet usage began to take a sizable chunk out of the TV viewer's channel surfing time, industry pundits have been predicting that it was only a matter of time before we started watching TV via the web. But as limited bandwidth issues continue to slow the web's video streaming appeal, TV manufacturers are beginning to piggy-back web features onto the traditional television.

Last week, video display manufacturer Princeton Graphic Systems announced that it has recently shipped what the company claims is the world's first TV with built-in interactive capability. Princeton says that the new Ai3.6HD is a 36" viewable, 4:3 direct-view CRT HD-ready TV/computer monitor with integrated "Ch.1" services for enhanced TV and Internet functionality. The company says that the monitor also supports 480p, 1080i, and 720p (letterbox) digital formats as well as displaying VGA, SVGA, and XGA graphics.

Princeton's William Wang explains that "Ch.1 allows us to offer our customers a fully integrated Internet solution and channel guide, all in the digital domain. Ch.1's Internet portal opens a world of communication, command control, and entertainment opportunities to our customers." The Ai3.6HD with built-in DVDO 503 deinterlacer/scaler also includes Ch.1's universal remote/keyboard/mouse and has a MSRP of $3,499.00.

The company says that Ch.1 is an embedded interactive entertainment subsystem that features a high-resolution Internet browser with email, chat, secure online transactions, and channel guide to digital television manufacturers. Princeton adds that Ch.1 can render web pages at their native resolution of (SVGA) 800 x 600 pixels through its full-featured browser via a 56k modem for dial-up ISP service or Ethernet, T1, DSL or cable modem for broadband connections.

According to Princeton, once they log on, consumers will find that the Ch.1 portal opens with customizable TV and web favorites for up to five users, with a localized channel guide offering program details and a link to the network's web site. To operate the system, the company says that an integrated keyboard/remote/pointing device and a multi-device universal remote for TV, cable, satellite, VCR, hard disk recorders, and a/v receivers is included with the Ai3.6HD.

The Ch.1 dial-up service is optional says Princeton. It is available for $18.95 a month for individual users, while a "family plan" adds up to four additional users for $3.00 more per month, and outgoing and incoming filtering can be added at $1.00 or $3.00 a month for individual users or families respectively. The company adds that if an user has an existing dial-up or broadband ISP, Ch.1 service is discounted by $10.00 a month.