# 11 - How Does Your Work Look on TV?

How Does Your Work Look on TV? - WebTV!

By Chris Maher

WebTV is a rather clever idea. There are far more televisions in the world than personal computers, so why not create a device that can dial into the Internet, and display the results on a TV screen?

Phillips and Sony, the two consumer electronic giants, have done just this. Now for under $100.00 (US), you can buy a set top box that will connect you to the Internet and let you browse the Web with a remote control.

Many folks were skeptical at first. Given the great difference between the resolution of a computer monitor and a TV screen, how could type be read? Without a mouse how could the links be navigated?

When I first saw demos at the Comdex computer show in November of 1996, I was amazed. The display type was large and chunky, but it was readable. The remote control automatically skipped from link to link, and navigation was easy. But most impressive was the way my art sites looked. I browsed from site to site that I had created, and the pictures of my work all looked great!

The full color, large screen, integrated sound capability of the average television is perfect for showing off your art in the comfort of your customers homes. People are comfortable with TV's, and sitting on the living room couch makes the Internet less intimidating. Reading lots of text that way isn't very much fun, but visiting the galleries of artists from around the world sure can be.

You should definitely take the time to see how your site looks on a WebTV set. That's pretty easy here in the US, just go to your local Sears store, or any large electronics discount store, and ask to see their demo unit. Go online and enter your URL. You will probably be pleased with how nice your web site looks.

Here are a couple of quick tips on how to optimize the way your work looks on a WebTV display:

Avoid small text sizes in HTML and graphics.
Don't force people to contact you through e-mail, it's a pain for WebTV users unless they have the optional keyboard. (You should always have three different methods of contact on each page anyway).
Use light-colored text against dark-colored backgrounds; television audiences find it easier to read.
Use midi sound to play a background sound track when people visit your site.
Don't use narrow columns; images are scaled and text will wrap frequently.

If you want to learn more about improving the way your work displays on WebTV, follow some of the links on Ruel's Web TV Net Page at (http://www.ruel.net/webtv_links.html). For specific HTML code that will create unique WebTV effects (like transitions between images) go to the Designing 4 WebTV site at (http://www.pactive.com/webtvhtm.htm).

So, how many people use WebTV today? According to the latest numbers I've seen, the service currently has about 150,000 subscribers. That's more than three times the number it had in April of this year. Steve Perlman, president and co-founder WebTV, is looking forward to having 250,000 subscribers by year's end. WebTV is definitely growing. Clearly Bill Gates certainly thinks it has a future, Microsoft acquired WebTV Networks for $425 million dollars (US) in August.

As the second generation of WebTV is rolled out, with 56kb modems and a built in tuners (to surf and watch TV at the same time) more folks will see this as a really useful home appliance. We may begin to see a merging of mediums, in which people can instantly get more information on actors, places, and products that they see on TV shows. In fact, WebTV is really the first generation of the so called network computer. With its low cost and ease of use, expect it to begin to showing up in hotels, airports, and bars.

Low cost competition will further increase market penetration. A start-up company called WorldGate Communications (which has the backing of two big makers of cable TV equipment, Nextlevel Systems and Scientific-Atlanta Inc.) will be launching an Internet TV system at a reported price of only $12.00 per month (US).

I think WebTV will bring a new kind of customer to the World Wide Web. Less technically savvy, but wanting to explore the riches of the Internet in the comfort of their living room. These could be your customers, get ready for them.

This page last updated: 09/02/04

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