Tuesday, 27 February 2007

INTERACTIVE TV

BBC News on interactive TV
News Multiscreen
The news multiscreen as it appears on your television
Do you want to catch up with the news headlines, get an update on the weather, or find out if your team's won?

Well, you can - and you can choose whether you do so in video or text by using the BBCi service via the red button on your digital television.

Whether you have satellite, cable or Freeview, you can catch up with the news headlines in video anytime you want or read a full range of stories in text - often using the same page numbers as the current Ceefax service.

To receive these services, simply press the RED button on your handset.

Easy to use

On the right side of the screen, a coloured menu will appear. It will look different depending on which channel you were on.

'The Bridge' - the interactive televsion menu
'The Bridge' - the interactive televsion menu
If the menu has a link to the News Multiscreen, you can use the arrow keys on your remote to highlight that option and then press SELECT. Or you can key in 1001, the News Multiscreen number, on your handset and press SELECT. It is the gateway to more video and text.

On digital satellite and Telewest cable, you will find six video screens which are continuously updated throughout the day.

Watching News Interactive

These include the headlines in three minutes, sport, the UK weather forecast, BBC News 24, entertainment headlines and in-depth coverage of a top story, live event or news conference.

On Freeview, there is a two-screen version of the service, offering the headlines in three minutes and detailed coverage of a top story.

Highlighting each screen will give you a brief summary of the content. By pressing SELECT, you can watch in quarter screen - and browse through relevant stories using digital text while you listen.

Weather screen on interactive TV
Weather screen on interactive TV
For example, if you want to find out what the weather in your area will be like for the next five days, select the weather channel from the main multiscreen and you will find detailed forecasts and other weather news.

Or if your team has been in action you can read the top headlines for your chosen sport by keying in 300 on your handset - just as you would on Ceefax.

Continuing coverage

You may also hear presenters on BBC News 24 and the BBC One news bulletins say that continuing coverage of an event, such as a news conference or an interview with a key newsmaker, is available to digital viewers by pressing RED.

The "top story" loop is where you will find that coverage - and there will often be edited highlights afterwards.

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