CATV-gateway between traditional video services and new multimedia applications

As the areas of television, telecommunication and information technology are converging, new application areas are arising, and new services are being established. Aside from traditional delivery channels, computer networks play an increasing role in providing new services. An important part of these services is based on video. However, in order to develop and establish such services, the differences between traditional video and multimedia applications as well as requirements, limitations, and possibilities for an integration, use of both has to be understood. This paper presents a classification scheme together with requirements analysis regarding communication channels, interaction mechanisms, quality, and parameter settings for a useful development of new computer-based multimedia applications. The discussion concerning requirements and applications for multimedia systems leads to the definition of high-definition multimedia.