The Future of Television

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There are many different versions of hybrid machines that have been announced since I wrote this piece. For example:

In March of 1996, Gateway 2000 announced its multimedia PC/TV system. The system is equipped with a 31 inch monitor and includes a Pentium 120 mhz processor, and a 6x CD-ROM drive.
TOSHIBA offers a product line called Infinia which operate like computer appliances, and include features like radio style dials and push button controls. These machines can play CDs, function as telephone answering machines, and receive TV and radio signals. (see NY Times, 9/10/96, C6).
The Electronics Industries Association predicts that PCTVs will pentrate the market faster than the VCR or compact disks. They are predicting that they will reach 17% of the consumer market over the next five years. (Cited in Broadcasting & Cable, 10/28/96, p. 58)

Also, in October of 1996, an industry-wide coalition of computer maunufacturers and software developers announced their intention to adopt the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP). It is expected that this standard will allow high quality video to be streamed in real time to personal computers via the Internet.