Hybrid Broadcast/Broadband TV Services and Media Synchronization. Demands, Preferences and Expectations of Spanish Consumers

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permissíon from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertisíng or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.[EN] The combination of broadcast and broadband ( hybrid) technologies for delivering TV related media contents is already a reality. It has been motivated by the large amount and diversity of media contents, together with the ubiquity and multiple connectivity capabilities of modern consumption devices. The use of connected TVs and companion devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones etc.) is gaining momentum. It enables personalized and enriched TV media experiences, by also exploiting social communication opportunities. Likewise, the media consumption paradigm is worldwide evolving from passive and isolated consumer experiences toward interactive and group shared experiences between remote consumers. Nevertheless, despite the specification of standards, such as hybrid broadcast broadband TV, and the efforts from operators and content providers in the last years, the adoption of hybrid TV media services in Europe is still not as high as expected. This paper presents the concept and some examples of hybrid TV media services, emphasizing the importance of including a combination of media synchronization solutions, known as hybrid sync, to guarantee a satisfactory level of quality of experience. Additionally, it includes the summary and discussion of the results of a research study focused on more than 1000 Spanish users' habits, preferences, and expectations regarding four representative hybrid TV media services. Many valuable insights and conclusions have been derived. For instance, the current low market adoption of hybrid TV media services, despite their advantages and the high interest of consumers, and that key technological challenges still need to be overcome. The obtained results and impressions foresee the impact (or potential) of such services in the upcoming TV related media consumption landscape. Therefore, devising proper standard-compliant technological solutions (paying special attention to hybrid sync) and equipment should be continued producing appropriate contents, deploying proper hybrid TV media services and applications. As well, it should be convenient to undertake marketing and commercial efforts to boost their deployment. The contributions of this paper can be very valuable to the interested agents to be aware of the remaining challenges, envisage the opportunities, and drive their efforts to maximize the market adoption of such services.This work was supported in part by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional, in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under Its R&D&I Support Program under Project TEC2013-45492-R.Boronat, F.; Montagud, M.; Marfil-Reguero, D.; Luzón, C. (2018). Hybrid Broadcast/Broadband TV Services and Media Synchronization. Demands, Preferences and Expectations of Spanish Consumers. IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting. 64(1):52-69. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBC.2017.2737819S526964

Coping with the inheritance of COVID-19: the role of new interactive technologies to enhance user experience in different contexts of use

The COVID-19 pandemic has upset the habits of people and various sectors of society, including training, entertainment, and retail. These sectors have been forced to adapt to abnormal situations such as social distancing, remote work, and online entertainment. The pandemic has significantly transformed the training field, leading to the closure of many in-person instruction centers and a shift toward online education courses, which can be less effective. In addition, the entertainment industry has been heavily transformed by social distancing, resulting in the cancellation of many live events and the closure of several cinemas. This has increased demand for online entertainment options, such as streaming services and virtual events. Finally, the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted physical stores and fairs, suspending exhibitions for more than two years. This has further driven consumers to rely on e-commerce to fulfill their purchasing and companies to increasingly take advantage of new technologies such as augmented reality. In this suddenly disrupted scenario, new technologies have the potential to fill the gap generated by the pandemic, functioning as an interactive bridge to connect people. This Ph.D. thesis explored the potential of interactive technologies in mitigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in various contexts of use in the above-mentioned areas. Specifically, three lines of research were investigated by conducting different studies using a mixed approach in the Human-Computer Interaction field. The first research line focused on the study of immersive virtual reality training, with a particular interest in flood emergencies, a growing phenomenon. The goal was to implement engaging and efficient training for citizens that live near rivers through a human-centric design approach. The second line of research explored innovative ways to improve social interaction and collaboration in the entertainment sector, highlighting guidelines for the design of shared streaming experiences. In particular, three different communication modalities were studied during group viewing of an interactive film on a streaming platform. Finally, the third research line focused on the retail sector. On the one hand, the focus consisted of understanding which aspects of the 3D web and AR technology are helpful for supporting small businesses and trade fairs. On the other hand, the focus was to investigate how to support consumers during an AR shopping experience when interacting with 3D virtual products of different sizes. Overall, this project provides suggestions and guidelines for designing systems that can both increasingly connect people at a distance and offer new hybrid worlds. In addition, this project expands state-of-the-art related to interactive technologies and offers generalizable results outside the crisis created by COVID-19. These technologies, now increasingly integrated into everyday life, can be a tool for empowerment and resilience, improving people's lives.The COVID-19 pandemic has upset the habits of people and various sectors of society, including training, entertainment, and retail. These sectors have been forced to adapt to abnormal situations such as social distancing, remote work, and online entertainment. The pandemic has significantly transformed the training field, leading to the closure of many in-person instruction centers and a shift toward online education courses, which can be less effective. In addition, the entertainment industry has been heavily transformed by social distancing, resulting in the cancellation of many live events and the closure of several cinemas. This has increased demand for online entertainment options, such as streaming services and virtual events. Finally, the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted physical stores and fairs, suspending exhibitions for more than two years. This has further driven consumers to rely on e-commerce to fulfill their purchasing and companies to increasingly take advantage of new technologies such as augmented reality. In this suddenly disrupted scenario, new technologies have the potential to fill the gap generated by the pandemic, functioning as an interactive bridge to connect people. This Ph.D. thesis explored the potential of interactive technologies in mitigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in various contexts of use in the above-mentioned areas. Specifically, three lines of research were investigated by conducting different studies using a mixed approach in the Human-Computer Interaction field. The first research line focused on the study of immersive virtual reality training, with a particular interest in flood emergencies, a growing phenomenon. The goal was to implement engaging and efficient training for citizens that live near rivers through a human-centric design approach. The second line of research explored innovative ways to improve social interaction and collaboration in the entertainment sector, highlighting guidelines for the design of shared streaming experiences. In particular, three different communication modalities were studied during group viewing of an interactive film on a streaming platform. Finally, the third research line focused on the retail sector. On the one hand, the focus consisted of understanding which aspects of the 3D web and AR technology are helpful for supporting small businesses and trade fairs. On the other hand, the focus was to investigate how to support consumers during an AR shopping experience when interacting with 3D virtual products of different sizes. Overall, this project provides suggestions and guidelines for designing systems that can both increasingly connect people at a distance and offer new hybrid worlds. In addition, this project expands state-of-the-art related to interactive technologies and offers generalizable results outside the crisis created by COVID-19. These technologies, now increasingly integrated into everyday life, can be a tool for empowerment and resilience, improving people's lives

Especificación, implementación y evaluación de soluciones de sincronización multimedia híbrida (broadcast/broadband) e inter-destinatario para posibilitar nuevas experiencias televisivas enriquecidas, personalizadas, inmersivas y compartidas.

[ES] Actualmente, existe una gran variedad de tecnologías de distribución de contenidos multimedia, de dispositivos de consumo, así como de tipos de contenidos. En cuanto a tecnologías de distribución, dichos contenidos se pueden enviar bien a través de redes broadcast, como las redes DVB, o bien a través de redes broadband, como las redes IP (por ejemplo, a través de Internet). La coordinación y convergencia entre los dos tipos de tecnologías para distribuir contenidos relacionados ofrece un gran potencial a los proveedores de contenidos, así como grandes beneficios a los consumidores (una prueba de ello es el estándar Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV o HbbTV). Sin embargo, la recepción de contenidos relacionados procedentes de diferentes redes híbridas (broadcast/broadband) conlleva una variabilidad de retardos significativa, por lo que se deben superar una serie de retos importantes, como, por ejemplo, la necesidad de mecanismos que garanticen un consumo sincronizado de dichos contenidos, bien en un mismo dispositivo o bien en distintos dispositivos (locales o remotos). Se han especificado, implementado y evaluado soluciones de sincronización de los procesos de reproducción de contenidos híbridos (prevenientes de redes broadcast y/o broadband) tanto en entornos multidispositivo, entre dispositivos locales (Inter-Device Synchronization o IDES), como en entornos multiusuario, entre destinatarios distribuidos en red (Inter-Destination Media Synchronization o IDMS), incluyendo la sincronización de efectos multisensoriales. Se ha diseñado e implementado una plataforma extremo-a-extremo para la generación, distribución (adaptativa) y consumo de contenidos híbridos relacionados, tanto en un mismo dispositivo como en múltiples dispositivos locales (por ejemplo, escenario multipantalla) o remotos (por ejemplo, TV Social). Se han generado y preparado contenidos multimedia tradicionales (2D) y omnidireccionales (360), enriquecidos con efectos multisensoriales que mejoran el grado de realismo y la inmersividad de los usuarios. La plataforma es compatible con el estándar HbbTV y, además, incluye soluciones eficientes para aspectos clave que no están especificados en dicho estándar, pero que son necesarios para la implementación satisfactoria de servicios de TV híbridos y multidispositivo en la misma, como, por ejemplo: la necesidad de un buffer para el contenido broadcast (existente y opcional hasta la especificación HbbTV 2.0.2); mecanismos de señalización, asociación y descripción de contenido disponible y relacionado con el contenido principal; mecanismos de coordinación e interacción entre los dispositivos de consumo; o soluciones de sincronización para alinear en el tiempo el consumo de contenidos de forma satisfactoria. Los resultados obtenidos en la evaluación realizada muestran que el nivel de sincronización adquirido entre los procesos de reproducción de los diversos tipos de contenido disponibles a través de distintas tecnologías de transmisión alcanza unos valores suficientes para proporcionar al usuario un consumo con un nivel de asincronías imperceptible. Dicha precisión alcanzada ha resultado en una QoE para el consumidor muy satisfactoria, ofreciéndole al mismo un completo ecosistema de consumo de contenidos que incluye tanto contenido multimedia tradicional, como contenido omnidireccional y mulsemedia.[CA] Actualment, hi ha una gran varietat de tecnologies de distribució de contingut multimèdia, dispositius de consum, així com tipus de contingut. Pel que fa a les tecnologies de distribució, aquest contingut es pot lliurar a través de xarxes de difusió, com ara xarxes DVB, o a través de xarxes de banda ampla, com les xarxes IP (per exemple, a través d'Internet). La coordinació i convergència entre els dos tipus de tecnologies per distribuir continguts relacionats ofereix un gran potencial als proveïdors de continguts, així com grans beneficis per als consumidors (una prova d'això és l'estàndard Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV o HbbTV). Tanmateix, la recepció de continguts relacionats des de diferents xarxes híbrides (emissió/banda ampla) comporta una important variabilitat de retard, per la qual cosa s'han de superar una sèrie de reptes importants, com la necessitat de mecanismes que garanteixin el consum sincronitzat d'aquests continguts, ja siga en el mateix dispositiu. o en diferents dispositius (locals o remots). S'han especificat, implementat i evaluat solucions de sincronització per a processos de reproducció de continguts híbrids (xarxes de broadcast i/o de banda ampla) tant en entorns multidispositiu, entre dispositius locals (Inter-Device Synchronization o IDES), com en entorns IDMS (Inter-Destination Media Synchronization o IDMS), incloent la sincronització d'efectes multisensorials. S'ha dissenyat i implementat una plataforma d'extrem a extrem per a la generació, distribució (adaptativa) i consum de contingut híbrid relacionat, tant en un sol dispositiu com en múltiples locals (p. ex., escenari multipantalla) o remots (p. ex., Social TV). dispositius. S'han generat i preparat contingut multimèdia tradicional (2D) i omnidireccional (360), enriquit amb efectes multisensorials que milloren el grau de realisme i immersivitat dels usuaris. La plataforma és compatible amb l'estàndard HbbTV i, a més, inclou solucions eficients per a aspectes clau que no s'especifiquen en aquest estàndard, però que són necessaris per a la implantació amb èxit de serveis de televisió híbrids i multidispositiu en el mateix, com ara: la necessitat per a un buffer per a continguts de difusió (existent i opcional fins a HbbTV 2. 0.2); mecanismes de senyalització, associació i descripció dels continguts disponibles i relacionats amb el contingut principal; mecanismes de coordinació i interacció entre dispositius de consum; o solucions de sincronització per alinear en el temps el consum de continguts de manera satisfactòria. Els resultats obtinguts en l'avaluació realitzada mostren que el nivell de sincronització adquirit entre els processos de reproducció dels diferents tipus de continguts disponibles a través de diferents tecnologies de transmissió assoleix valors suficients per proporcionar a l'usuari un consum amb un nivell d'asincronies imperceptibles. La precisió aconseguida ha donat com a resultat una QoE molt satisfactòria per al consumidor, oferint-li un ecosistema complet de consum de continguts que inclou tant contingut multimèdia tradicional com contingut omnidireccional i mulsemedia.[EN] Currently, there is a wide variety of multimedia content distribution technologies, consumer devices, as well as types of content. In terms of distribution technologies, such content can be delivered either over broadcast networks, such as DVB networks, or over broadband networks, such as IP networks (e.g. over the Internet). The coordination and convergence between the two types of technologies to distribute related content offers great potential to content providers, as well as great benefits to consumers (a proof of this is the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV or HbbTV standard). However, the reception of related content from different hybrid networks (broadcast/broadband) entails significant delay variability, so a number of important challenges must be overcome, such as the need for mechanisms to ensure synchronized consumption of such content, either on the same device or on different devices (local or remote). We have specified, implemented and evaluated synchronization solutions for hybrid content playback processes (broadcast and/or broadband networks) both in multi-device environments, between local devices (Inter-Device Synchronization or IDES), and in multi-user environments, between distributed network recipients (Inter-Destination Media Synchronization or IDMS), including the synchronization of multi-sensory effects. An end-to-end platform has been designed and implemented for the generation, distribution (adaptive) and consumption of related hybrid content, both on a single device and on multiple local (e.g., multiscreen scenario) or remote (e.g., Social TV) devices. Traditional (2D) and omnidirectional (360) multimedia content has been generated and prepared, enriched with multisensory effects that enhance the degree of realism and immersiveness for users. The platform is compatible with the HbbTV standard and, in addition, includes efficient solutions for key aspects that are not specified in that standard, but are necessary for the successful implementation of hybrid and multi-device TV services on it, such as: the need for a buffer for broadcast content (existing and optional up to the HbbTV 2. 0.2); mechanisms for signaling, association and description of content available and related to the main content; coordination and interaction mechanisms between consumption devices; or synchronization solutions to align in time the consumption of content in a satisfactory way. The results obtained in the evaluation carried out show that the level of synchronization acquired between the reproduction processes of the different types of content available through different transmission technologies reaches sufficient values to provide the user with a consumption with an imperceptible level of asynchronies. The accuracy achieved has resulted in a very satisfactory QoE for the consumer, offering him a complete content consumption ecosystem that includes traditional multimedia content as well as omnidirectional and mulsemedia content.Marfil Reguero, D. (2022). Especificación, implementación y evaluación de soluciones de sincronización multimedia híbrida (broadcast/broadband) e inter-destinatario para posibilitar nuevas experiencias televisivas enriquecidas, personalizadas, inmersivas y compartidas [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/18574

User-generated advertising: the effects of consumer-created brand videos and self-construal on brand attitudes

The impact of consumer-generated brand-communications on attitudes and behaviour have been studied by academic and marking practitioners; technology and social media allow consumers to conduct traditional marketing functions, especially user-generated-advertising (UGA). From the receiver’s perspective, psycho-social characteristics like self-construal are also considered to affect attitudinal-behavioural responses to advertising. However there is little research examining the impact of UGA and self-construal on attitudes and behaviour; this thesis fills this gap contributing to the literature by evaluating these constructs and expand existing knowledge UGA. Literature in consumer psychology, advertising and social media was reviewed to frame UGA in the context of existing communication knowledge. The study included three stages. First, a content analysis of 230 UGA was conducted to determine their characteristics. Second, 25 videos were submitted to a panel of judges to validate their valence as positive, negative or neutral before specific UGA were selected as stimuli. Finally, an Internet questionnaire was sent to the Business School students, and 208 usable questionnaires were obtained. A mixed within-between-subjects ANOVA was used to test the results; the findings suggest that UGA especially negative has more attitudinal-behavioural impact compared to firm-generated-advertising, and that interdependent self-construal affect UGA. This study’s theoretical and practical implications may serve academics and practitioners in understanding UGA, its attitudinal-behavioural effects, and potential impact on brand equity; sustaining the managerial necessity to develop strategies to monitor and respond to UGA