A web TV is a specially-adapted television set designed to allow internet connection, or more commonly, a set-top box (i.e. cable decoder) which connects to a standard TV for the same purpose. The setup includes a web browser, cord or wireless (i.e. bluetooth) keyboard and connection to the Internet (i.e. using modem, cable and so on).

While web-tv does not allow as much functionality as a computer-based browser (eg.they cannot run JavaScript or multi-task , and they do not have nearly as much versatility, power or memory as an actual computer), it is nonetheless a popular and low-cost alternative in some countries. A recent alternative to web-tv are game consoles with a built-in internet connection.

Web TV operators

• MSN TV (formerly WebTV), an internet appliance from Microsoft
• Walawa (now bankrupted), based on a set-top box from Netgem embedded in a standard TV
• Thomson Tak, high-resolution TV

See also

• Digital terrestrial television
• Internet television

External link

• Netgem product i-player http://www.netgem.com