In interactive digital television, viewers can retrieve services with text and graphics in addition to viewing their usual television shows. This additional content can be based on the show currently on the air, or it can be provided in the form of independent information services. Unlike conventional teletext in analog television, the show currently on the air does not disappear from the screen when these services are accessed; the show is displayed on screen in miniature format. Therefore, viewers do not have to miss any of the action when they use these services.
Whenever additional information is provided on an ORF television show, the ORF OK logo appears above the station‘s usual logo in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
The remote control as the key to the world of ITV
The TV‘s remote control is no longer just for changing the channel and adjusting the volume. In interactive television, it functions as the key which opens up an entirely new world of media content in addition to regular television programming.
The most important control buttons used for interactive TV are the OK button, the arrows and the colored buttons on the remote control. Pressing the OK button opens ORF‘s interactive content.
The viewer can then choose from three different services (Infotext, TV-JETZT [TV Now] and EPG4GRAZ) in a menu which only takes up a small part of the screen. The top menu for each service is assigned a color, and pressing the corresponding colored button on the remote control opens that portal.
