TV-Anytime Phase 1 and MPEG-7

Personal video recorders have the capability to change the media delivery industry fundamentally, and in this context, many believe the real international age of personal digital recorders (PDRs) will arrive with the use of “open” systems. The world reached an important milestone with the publication of the TV-Anytime Phase 1 specifications for unidirectional broadcast and metadata services over bidirectional networks. TV-Anytime is a worldwide prestandardization body; this article gives an overview of the main features of TV-Anytimeʹs metadata specification and its relationship to MPEG-7 and provides insight into ways two organizations concerned with standards work together. Phase 2 has since been completed and TV-Anytime has been adopted by various international standards organizations dealing with telecommunications and is now in the implementation phase.