Check this out.
Do you think tha WAVO is involved ? They keep referring top PBS datacast; a division able to transmit data 'via television signals' ... VBI?
I think its WAVO.
p.s.The link is on PRNEWSWIRE: Microsoft
David
Microsoft, PBS Introduce Groundbreaking Enhancement to Television Technology
Microsoft ActiMates Interactive Barney to
Interact With `Barney & Friends' on PBS
NEW YORK, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. and the Public
Broadcasting Service (PBS), through its PBS National Datacast subsidiary,
today unveiled a groundbreaking enhancement in the educational use of
television technology. Beginning Nov. 3, PBS' "Barney & Friends" will carry a
specially encoded signal and animation technology from Microsoft that will
enable Microsoft(R) ActiMates(TM) Interactive Barney(TM) to interact with the
program. Microsoft ActiMates is an innovative early-learning system for
children ages 2 to 5 that works alone, with the VCR or with the PC. And now,
with this new technology, the encoded broadcast will allow the plush Barney
toy to virtually come alive in homes across the country.
"Microsoft and PBS share the goal of using television technology to
enhance education," said Rick Thompson, vice president of the hardware
division at Microsoft. "We wanted to find the application of this new
technology that helps young children in their educational development. We
could not have found a better company than PBS National Datacast."
Utilizing PBS National Datacast's data broadcasting expertise and an
unseen portion of the broadcast signal, "Barney & Friends" will air on certain
PBS member stations with an encoded signal, which will be read by a
transmitter that comes with the ActiMates TV Pack and is hooked into a
television VCR. The transmitter will then decode the data and transmit it to
a wireless receiver in the Microsoft ActiMates unit, enabling a plush Barney
toy to become a viewing "companion." When this happens, a child's television
viewing experience is enhanced, as Barney comments on and reinforces positive
themes in the television show.
"PBS and its 349 member stations have a long-standing commitment to
bringing the American people outstanding programming and innovative services
that enrich their lives," said John Hollar, executive vice president of PBS
Learning Ventures. "Microsoft's technology is a unique advancement that
enhances the viewing and learning experiences of children who watch 'Barney &
Friends' every day."
The encoded episodes of "Barney & Friends" initially are scheduled for
broadcast by 20 PBS member stations in the country's top markets, including
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. A total of 68
programs are to be encoded for broadcast between November 1997 and April 1999.
More stations are expected to be added over the next year, as PBS National
Datacast and Microsoft work with other PBS member stations to implement the
ActiMates technology.
Microsoft ActiMates was officially unveiled last February. Over the past
seven months, it has generated positive reviews and praise from the media,
consumers, toy analysts and the education community, including COMPUTERTOTS, a
nationally renowned organization that creates customized computer curriculum
for day-care centers and preschools across the country. Microsoft ActiMates
also has won a number of awards, including a Gold Seal Award from the National
Parenting Publication Awards (NAPPA), and was designated a Top Toy of 1997 by
Parents Magazine.
Developed in conjunction with educational and early-childhood experts,
Microsoft ActiMates encourages children to learn key skills such as counting;
letter, shape and color recognition; and sharing.
"Research shows that children learn best with a supportive partner, and
when they can learn at their own pace," said Erik Strommen, a Ph.D. in
developmental psychology and lead consultant in developing the ActiMates
early-learning system for Microsoft. "Microsoft ActiMates Interactive Barney
does what all good learning partners do; he is infinitely patient, which makes
kids feel good about their efforts, he shows them how to do something by
example, and he gives them hints. We know that Microsoft ActiMates can
increase children's attention and make learning fun."
Preschool star Barney's top-rated television show is aired in 50 countries
on six continents. His popularity extends to videos, books, albums, toys and
a stage tour, with a feature-length movie in the works. Microsoft developed
ActiMates Interactive Barney under license from The Lyons Group, and
entertainment unit of Texas-based Lyrick Studios.
"Barney has always represented excellence in children's television, and
we're thrilled that 'Barney & Friends' is the first recipient of Microsoft's
new ActiMates technology," said Sheryl Leach, creator of Barney and executive
producer of Barney programming. "We believe that the encoded episodes
premiering this fall will provide children with a new and exciting way to
enjoy and learn from their favorite television character."
Microsoft ActiMates Barney has an estimated retail price of $109.95
(U.S.). The estimated retail price of the Microsoft ActiMates TV Pack and
ActiMates PC Pack is $64.95 (U.S.) each. The estimated retail price for PC
software titles is approximately $34.95 (U.S.) each, and $14.95 (U.S,) each
for videotapes. Microsoft ActiMates Interactive Barney and the ActiMates TV
Pack are required to access the encoded "Barney & Friends" episodes on PBS.
About PBS and PBS National Datacast
PBS is a private, nonprofit corporation owned and operated by the nation's
349 public television stations. A trusted community resource, public
television uses the power of noncommercial television to enrich the lives of
all Americans through quality programs and educational services that inform,
inspire and delight. Available to 99 percent of American households with
televisions, PBS is watched by nearly 100 million people each week. Public
television is the number one resource for K-12 classroom programming in the
country. PBS' Adult Learning Service is the nation's largest source of
college-level telecourses.
PBS National Datacast, a for-profit subsidiary of the Public Broadcasting
Service incorporated in 1988, offers top-quality, nationwide data broadcasting
services in partnership with local PBS member stations. Information is
delivered instantaneously via stations' TV signal to homes, businesses
government facilities and education centers. Jacqueline Weiss is chief
executive officer of PBS National Datacast.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products
and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft and ActiMates are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The Barney name and character and "Barney & Friends" are trademarks of
Lyons Partnership L.P.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp. |
