Investigating the inclusivity of digital television set-top boxes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the accessibility of digital television (DTV) technology available in the UK, focusing on the current generation of set-top boxes (STBs) which provide 'free to view' services. Specifically, the objective of the study was to identify specific causes of concern with regard to user interaction with DTV that might lead to exclusion, i.e. situations where users may be unable to use the new technology. In particular interest was the identification of new challenges presented to users by DTV that are not found when using the current analogue equivalent. The number of STBs is increasing rapidly. Hence, for the purposes of this study, efforts were focused on looking at three set-top boxes (STB1, 2 and 3). STB1 was selected because it was being marketed as 'easy to use'; STB2 because it was the market leader at the time; and STB3 was a satellite-based television service. © Springer-Verlag 2004.