Web and TV at W3C

Activities and Status

September 2014

Bring diverse ecosystem players together to develop web technologies, leading the Web to its full potential.

Role of W3C

The traditional broadcasting model has been disrupted

Stakeholders are looking for new interactive media experiences

The ubiquity of the Web brings TV-like content to diverse devices

Content creators, regardless of size, have access to a worldwide distribution system

Consumers have almost unlimited choice of content providers

Media Transformation

Solving the problems that inhibit the Web from being a more capable content delivery mechanism

On-the-go viewing

Interactive broadcasts

Multi-screen content

HTML5 apps

Four key areas for W3C focus:

1. Work with Members to identify use cases and requirements

2. Fill any gaps with new standards or extensions to existing specifications

3. Provide an inclusive standardization forum

4. Engage with industry groups to converge Web-related standards

W3C Strategy for TV-like Content

Published Requirements for Adaptive Bit Rate Streaming for HTML5 video.

Key contributions to Media Source Extensions, for a variety of use cases such as adaptive streaming and time-shifting live streams.

Key contributions to Encrypted Media Extensions, for delivery of protected content within the browser.

Second screen requirements offered to Device APIs WG, resulting in the Network Service Discovery specification.

Changes to the DOM Level 3 Events specification for remote control key codes.

Timed Text Task Force developed recommendations to facilitate the use of TTML and WebVTT content on the Web for captions.

Achievements: Web & TV Interest Group

Audio fingerprinting

Audio watermarking

Identical media stream synchronization

Related media stream synchronization

Triggered interactive overlay

Clean audio

Working with Accessibility Task Force

Current activities: Web and TV Interest Group

Central meeting point for TV-related work in W3C, performing a gap analysis on use cases submitted by members

Use cases submitted by members

Creating API based on requirements

Using existing TV APIs for reference

Aim of creating a Working Group

Current activities: TV Control API CG

Recently-created Community Group

Exposure of in-band tracks in media

Integration with video & audio elements

Focusing on popular formats first

Currently analyzing media resource types

Current activities: Media Resource In-band Tracks CG

Industry-specialized Community Group

Uses existing network protocols

Remote display of web content

Simple syntax API

Result of multi-vendor cooperation

Current activities: Second Screen Presentation CG

A Community Group currently progressing to a Working Group

Discussion areas:

Work with Members to identify use cases and requirements (ongoing)

Testing devices based on web technologies

Rendering and control of linear video using (TV Control API)

Misc gaps around delivery & rendering of IP video, mostly integration issues for TV devices

Discovery and communication between two UAs or a UA and another device/service

Performance measurement (benchmarks) for web technologies/animations

Accessibility features

Looking into the Future: Results of 4th Web & TV Workshop

Looking into the Future: GLOBAL ITV

Joint EU-Brazil project with W3C involvement

Aims to developing a unified iTV platform merging HbbTV (EU) and Ginga middleware (Brazil)

Simple 2nd screen video control with existing technology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQE0OkZVbYY

NHK Hybridcast (broadcast stream within HTML wrapper):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrTuL9Q4jm4

W3C Presentation API FAMIUM implementation with NSD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNzlffM86uo

Demos

Motives for participation #1: Reducing third-party reliance W3C is developing web technologies that are built-in to the browser and reduce the need for plugins.

1.Co-editors of Media Source Extensions and Encrypted

Media Extensions specs, among others.

2.Both specs fill gaps essential for Netflix to include HTML5

in its strategy.

3.Removes reliance on Silverlight which is being phased out.

Example: Netflix

Motives for participation #2: Bringing native technology to the Web W3C is developing web technologies that are available regardless of operating system and platform.

1.Started Community Group to create Second Screen API.

2.Contributed existing API and video-sharing demo from

Intel's OTC (Open Source Technology Center).

3.Now progressing to a Working Group to formally create a

W3C standard.

Example: Intel

Motives for participation #3: Standardizing existing proprietary APIs W3C is developing web technologies that are already in the wild but undocumented or unstandardized.

1.Have existing API developed with their partners.

2.Used their experience to help create TV Control API

Community Group.

3.Group expects to follow the W3C standardization track.

Example: Mozilla

Motives for participation #4: Maintain influence W3C Members understand their participation enables them to influence both the Open Web Platform and vendors.

1.Business strategy can move from entire product chain

control to building on existing platforms.

2.This results in a need to retain control on these platforms

and their vendors.

3.W3C participation enables Members to exert influence on

the Open Web Platform.

Maintaining influence

Challenges and Opportunities

There are both challenges and opportunities for the Open Web Platform:

Increased industry competition: How can we provide standards that offer new market opportunities?

Standards fragmentation: Can the ubiquity of the Web offer a truly global, fully accessible platform media delivery?

Native gaps: How can we offer technical solutions that aren't reliant on proprietary technology?

Broad mission: How can we address the needs of an increasingly broad range of stakeholders?

The Road Ahead

W3C is successful through the contributions of its members.

The Web relies on industry leaders to provide requirements, expertise and unique insights.

With your help, the Open Web Platform can reach its full potential in the TV industry!

Join the conversation...

2014: A special year for us all