Interactive TV with EBIF
This year, at The Cable Show, both Comcast and the rest of the industry are showcasing many examples of how we’re enhancing our cable networks by layering software onto it that enables new functionality and interactivity.
The technology that’s bringing a lot of this added interactivity to the show is one built on CableLabs Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF). I’m sure most of you have no idea what EBIF is, or what it can (and has been) doing for you.
Simply put, EBIF is a common software platform that enables cable systems across the industry to deploy simple interactive applications using existing systems and set-top boxes (your cable box). While this might seem like technical mumbo jumbo, if you’re a Comcast voice and video customer you’ve probably already used EBIF without realizing it. It powers Caller ID to the TV, a feature that many people find quite useful.
Earlier today, we joined Starz as they debuted one of the first interactive EBIF applications developed by a cable TV programmer. ENTERACT NOW lets you instantly switch to the on demand version of whatever movie or program you’re watching. This app will let you start shows over from the beginning, if you missed something, or save it for later viewing without have to take up space on your DVR. Pretty sweet.
What’s cool about EBIF is that we can use it to bring you new interactive features that will work on your existing digital cable set-top boxes, so you won’t have to swap your box or get a new TV to use them. The fact that EBIF is a “common” software platform, means that all cable companies can use it and all developers can write software for it. This simplicity is clearly leading to innovative solutions for the industry. And EBIF specifications are compatible with tru2way standards, so as we launch tru2way technology in additional markets, existing and new EBIF applications will continue to work.
We also announced that we’re working with a company called itaas that will be providing deployment support to help other cable companies bring interactive television features to their customers. This means that more consumers will be able to take advantage of these interactive apps, whether they have Comcast or another cable company’s service
We’re already testing new interactive features built on EBIF in select Comcast markets that enable customers to shop or request information directly from their remote. We’re planning to test other interactive features that will let our customers interact with the programming they watch in new and different ways, like voting in opinion polls or setting up music and video play lists.
This is just the beginning.
If you’ve read this whole post, I imagine you’re pretty excited about EBIF. What kinds of apps would you like to see on your cable box? Let me know in the comments.
Enter Comments
Please note that all comments on the Comcast Voices blog must follow the guidelines outlined in the blog policy. All comments will be moderated prior to appearing on the blog. This is important to prevent spam and personal attacks. If posting a comment about a specific customer service problem or personal account issue, please contact us here, or post your question to the Comcast Help & Support forums.
Comments (8)
how do i activate caller id on my tv with comcast do i use the remote like some of my friend have done but they have verizon
Thanks for the comment….voting is definetly one of the killer apps EBIF can enable.
wow…sounds like you sit in on some of our product meetings or are spending time in our test labs. Seriously we have VOD search in a system trial right now and a game app in test. We also tested a voting app with G4 ( we didn’t want to start with American Idol…) so I can see more of those types of apps as EBIF gets deployed widely and our programming partners begin to use it. With EBIF much of what your imagination can think of may become possible
We are working on testing Info widgets and a Music playlist app so stay tuned….and I like the map idea, we will look in to that.
As Keith indicated ... voting is the KILLER app. If Comcast allowed it's viewers to vote on American Idol with their remote control that is something Comcast could really tout!
As I was reading this EBIF, sounds fantastic.
Are you looking at putting security information when the Technicians make house calls? This might be done by a Dispatcher and would show the Tech's name and a photo ID so that the customer would see it before they opened up the door.
If so, great. Might not want to broadcast this on the Blog tho. Other thoughts; Amber Alerts, Emergency Broadcasts.
I'd like to see a lot more interactivity in general.
How about some social networking. Recommend the current show to friends. See what your friends are recommending to you. Chat or send quick messages to your friends. Perhaps twitter/facebook integration.
White and Yellowpages phone searching, with a google maps type of pinpointing where the buisness/address is.
Order a Pizza!
Music video on demand playlists.
Pandora and or Slacker internet radio!
Search VOD.
In depth lookups, like drill down an actors name and see the history of their career and find out what time their other movies or shows come on.
Games! Now when there's long commercial breaks, I get my IPhone and pass the time with some solitaire or other simple mini-games. Make it on the TV all in one place.
I'd like to vote for American Idol contestants with the remote, instead of texting or swimming through busy signals on the phone. Heck how about voting in general (ESPN Sports polls, CNN Interactive viewer polls, political polls, etc...)
The possibilities are endless.
I love the ability to switch to the On Demand version - that's fantastic.
I'd also like to be able to find "programs like the one I am currently watching", whether that's organized by genre, actor, channel, etc.
I'd like the ability to get online via my TV. Get quick news/weather/sports updates that I could customize.
I'd like to be able to make On Demand music playlists, so I didn't have to reload every time.
Last one - how about a mapping software, so if I see an ad for someplace I want to purchase from, I can easily find the closest location or place to buy from. The holy grail of interactive tv!