The Internet and the World Wide Web have provided a large number of applications that offer real-time delivery of information on demand. The rapid growth of the Internet has been exponential in nature. New Web sites are created each day, trying to capture the attention of surfers on the Internet, and the hours that are spent online are increasing as people discover the vast amounts of information available. It is fast becoming a primary form of entertainment and research for millions.

However, developers face two main obstacles in the development of applications on the World Wide Web. The biggest problem is overcoming the bandwidth limitations that limit the use of rich multimedia in developing applications that are exciting to watch. The second is how to keep information current and relevant to users’ interests.

Search engines have become ineffective when returning a large number of hits for a particular topic, and Internet channels have emerged as a superior delivery mechanism for funneling new and exciting content to the end user. Netscape’s Netcaster* and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer* provide different ways for delivering channels. Just as with cable television, users subscribe to digital channels that contain content relative to their interests. Sports, entertainment, education, and news are just a few of the media channels being created for delivery to the PC via the Internet. Each channel can be personalized, based on the user’s preferences. For example, under "sports," the user can select baseball and football to further personalize the delivery of information. Popular Web sites can be subscribed to and then downloaded for off-line viewing. With channels, users narrow their choices and migrate to the most entertaining channels.

Limited bandwidth, meanwhile, translates into limited applications. Web sites are restricted to two-dimensional graphics, text and script-based animations. Rich multimedia, such as full-motion video and 3D graphics that can enhance a Web-based application, require large amounts of bandwidth to be downloaded, and delivered. Delivering these assets on CD- and DVD-ROM can provide much richer content and a better user experience, attracting increased visitors and viewers to an Internet channel. To ensure that the user remains interested in the information the channel is delivering, channels must provide a great user experience.

The driving force in attracting users to a channel is increased revenue. Advertising revenue from the Internet is growing rapidly, and real-time electronic commerce is another source of revenue for companies looking to expand their markets and sales. Channels can reap the economic benefits of both if they can attract viewers.

This white paper describes the key components in creating an exciting digital content channel using key technology developed for the PC. Its purpose is not to recommend a solution, but rather to provide a framework of ideas for developing a compelling Internet channel by integrating high-quality video and audio with interactive and timely information.

We will be looking at an overview of the key components and then follow up with three different Internet channels that apply a variety of different technologies. For developers unfamiliar with the different technologies presented, the appendix contains reference material. We’ll start with a definition of a channel.

Simply stated, a channel is any means of delivering content to the PC.

A positive benefit of this broad definition is that it does not specify or imply any particular technology or ingredient. Our definition allows the inclusion of a broad number of technologies—old and new. A number of technology vendors—Microsoft, Marimba, Netscape and BackWeb—provide "channel" solutions.

All of their products are good, but they are focused on a narrow band of specific delivery techniques. This paper considers their products and delivery techniques as well as other channel implementation solutions.

Please note another attribute of our definition. The verbs in the definition use the form "ing," which implies a process of action. This is an important distinction for content publishers. The channel concept suggests an ongoing process of content delivery to the user. This means that establishing a channel also means establishing an ongoing relationship with the end user. This has not necessarily been the case for publishers who have distributed content solely on CD-ROM, which is packaged and sold in a one-time transaction.

*Other brands and names are the property of their respective owners.

© 1997 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.

* Legal Information © 1998 Intel Corporation