ShopPBS

An example of an InfiniteCD application is the shopPBS project currently being developed jointly by PBS, Marimba, Macromedia and Intel. The shopPBS InfiniteCD is a multimedia catalog of videotapes. The shopPBS application (developed using Macromedia Director) allows the user to browse the catalog on the CD, receive catalog updates (via Castanet) such as sales pricing, personalized information updates (also via Castanet), and purchase merchandise over the Internet.

4.1 ShopPBS General Requirements

PBS currently provides a Web site at which it is possible to purchase PBS videos and other program related merchandise. Using the Web site, the user can scan the list of available videos and listen to or view samples of selected videos using streaming technology. As is typical of a Web site, the content is viewed with the user's choice of browser. The purchase of merchandise may be done either through the Web, by fax or by voice over the phone.

In order to deliver a richer, more compelling user experience, the shopPBS InfiniteCD has the following general requirements. The user interface is an engaging full-screen, PBS-branded interface. The content on the InfiniteCD must be richer than that available while browsing the PBS Web site. The interface must allow users to browse and search the catalog, and provide the opportunity to order merchandise. The application must seamlessly present up-to-date information downloaded from the PBS server with information contained on the CD.

4.2 ShopPBS Usage Models

The shopPBS InfiniteCD can be used in several ways depending on the user's connectivity to the Internet. In all these modes, users see the same PBS-branded UI, can search the CD for titles of particular interest, and have access to all the multimedia content on the CD.

4.2.1 Stand Alone

Users who don't have Web access or are currently not connected to the Web can use the CD in "stand alone" mode. They can browse the catalog of videos and play video and audio clips. If users want to purchase a video, they may either order over the phone by voice or print out the filled in order form and fax it to PBS. Users cannot receive any updates of the CD content in stand-alone mode.

4.2.2 Limited Connectivity

Another possible usage mode is for users to connect to the Web for only a short time and then continue to browse off-line, either to free up the phone line or to save on connect charges. In this mode, the application connects only at start-up or at the user's request, downloads any content updates, and then disconnects. While off-line browsing, the user could access downloaded updates that might include special shopPBS promotions, updates to the catalog, and personalized weekly TV highlights. In this mode, users can connect to the Web to purchase merchandise online.

4.2.3 Full Connectivity

In this mode, users have a continuous connection to the Web while using the application. With a live Web connection, it would be possible to access additional PBS content not on the CD. For instance, a catalog entry for a video on Wishbone could lead to a kids site on PBS Online. In the future, users could use an Internet phone to call to place an order, or they could use their Internet connection to send a fax. The application can provide the user with access to the latest information, or to information that changes quickly, by frequently checking with the server. A dedicated Internet connection (or an "Instantly Available PC," defined at http://developer.intel.com/solutions/tech/power.htm) allows unattended downloads and/or the capability to easily download larger data types such as video clips.

4.3 ShopPBS User's System Requirements

The following table lists the recommended and minimum client system hardware configurations for the shopPBS application. The recommended configuration can display video clips from the CD at 30 frames per second at a resolution of 640x480, while less capable system configurations display video at lower frame rates and/or lower resolutions.

Minimum	Recommended
Pentium® processor 133 MHz	Pentium II processor 233 MHz with MMX™ technology
16 MB of RAM	32 MB of RAM
Windows 95	Windows 95
14.4-Kbps modem	28.8-Kbps or faster modem
12-MB hard disk for app	20-MB hard disk for app + pushed data
SVGA graphics, 256 colors	65K colors or better
4x CD-ROM	6x CD-ROM, DVD