WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Discuss the awesomeness of the Prevue Channel, Prevue Interactive, Prevue Networks/United Video Satellite Group, TV Guide Inc., etc. right here.
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kwest93
Posts: 221
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:47 am

WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by kwest93 »

im wondering did anyone remember WebTV? it was later known as MSN TV. the system to make your TV use the internet while you watch tv.

theme song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpIm8BNe8-o

WebTV Intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-sVbegq ... re=related

WebTV Plus Commercial from 1996-98
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YblbVNPKw

the way it worked used dial-up but it even had a TV Guide there as well. what do you think?
AriX
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Re: WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by AriX »

Kind of interesting, actually - these people may have been some of the first to deploy an interactive program guide. I love how the revolutionary the commercial makes it sound: "you can see what you're watching, EVEN during a commercial break!". I wonder if there was any relationship with Prevue/UVSG/Gemstar at the time - there probably was, since the latter companies basically owned all of the patents in the space.

The interactive TV concepts are pretty cool as well.
kwest93
Posts: 221
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:47 am

Re: WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by kwest93 »

AriX wrote:Kind of interesting, actually - these people may have been some of the first to deploy an interactive program guide. I love how the revolutionary the commercial makes it sound: "you can see what you're watching, EVEN during a commercial break!". I wonder if there was any relationship with Prevue/UVSG/Gemstar at the time - there probably was, since the latter companies basically owned all of the patents in the space.

The interactive TV concepts are pretty cool as well.
well they did partnership with alot of brands and Dish Network. so i bet it was used for competition with Prevue and Directv.
joseph_sobora
Posts: 181
Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 11:49 pm

Re: WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by joseph_sobora »

kwest93 wrote:im wondering did anyone remember WebTV? it was later known as MSN TV. the system to make your TV use the internet while you watch tv.

theme song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpIm8BNe8-o

WebTV Intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-sVbegq ... re=related

WebTV Plus Commercial from 1996-98
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YblbVNPKw

the way it worked used dial-up but it even had a TV Guide there as well. what do you think?
I remember in the mid to late 90s, WebTv and MSN TV was new and it was available at all electronic stores like Circuit City, Best Buy.etc. It's kinda like how Sega started their own internet access for Sega Saturn and Dreamcast in the 90s.
kwest93
Posts: 221
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:47 am

Re: WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by kwest93 »

joseph_sobora wrote:
kwest93 wrote:im wondering did anyone remember WebTV? it was later known as MSN TV. the system to make your TV use the internet while you watch tv.

theme song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpIm8BNe8-o

WebTV Intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-sVbegq ... re=related

WebTV Plus Commercial from 1996-98
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YblbVNPKw

the way it worked used dial-up but it even had a TV Guide there as well. what do you think?
I remember in the mid to late 90s, WebTv and MSN TV was new and it was available at all electronic stores like Circuit City, Best Buy.etc. It's kinda like how Sega started their own internet access for Sega Saturn and Dreamcast in the 90s.
yeah then everyone else started the whole Internet On TV mess:

PlayStation 2 (2002-2007)
PlayStation 3 (Flash Version 9)
Nintendo Wii Opera Browser (Flash Version 9)

Now there's Google TV. a Box Just Like WebTV but with a more modern Interface we use Today.
AriX
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Re: WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by AriX »

kwest93 wrote:Now there's Google TV. a Box Just Like WebTV but with a more modern Interface we use Today.
Google TV really isn't very similar to WebTV... All of the technologies are very different, and the purpose is very different (WebTV brings the web to your TV... Google TV brings Internet video to your TV.)
kwest93
Posts: 221
Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:47 am

Re: WebTV Similar to Prevue Interactive?

Post by kwest93 »

AriX wrote:
kwest93 wrote:Now there's Google TV. a Box Just Like WebTV but with a more modern Interface we use Today.
Google TV really isn't very similar to WebTV... All of the technologies are very different, and the purpose is very different (WebTV brings the web to your TV... Google TV brings Internet video to your TV.)

oh yeah that's right. but it does have chrome on it.
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