| The technologies of fiber optic communications and digital compression have enabled the capability of a substantial increase in the number of television channels. While increased channel capacity will offer a greater variety of programming, it will also stress the limits of conventional television guide use. To meet the new programming search needs created by increased channel availability, interactive systems have been proposed that will electronically display television program information based on user input.;An experiment was developed to evaluate electronic television guide performance compared to a conventional printed television guide. Database size was varied to determine the effect of increased television guide size on search efficiency and subjective attitudes.;A performance experiment was developed involving 32 subjects. Sixteen subjects were evaluated using the printed television guide: eight subjects used a medium guide representing a 45 channel system and eight subjects used a large guide representing a 90 channel system. Likewise, there were identical groupings for 16 subjects using the electronic television guide.;Three tests of different search strategies were used. Search efficiency, measured in time-per-record, and the number of records omitted were recorded. The variables of subject's age, preconceived opinion, computer experience level and television viewing frequency were all evaluated compared to the subject's search efficiency. Relationships were studied for significance at p≤.01 or p≤.05.;In this study, a prototype interactive electronic television guide was designed using Human Factors principles. Consideration was given to screen design characteristics such as readability, polarity, color use, and text density. Additional consideration was given to the selection of a user inputting device and limitations of NTSC technology. Software design mimicked the traditional procedures of program searches, allowing for the continued viewing of a television program while using the electronic television guide. The resulting Windows-based prototype, featured a real-time video display in reduced, picture-in-picture mode displayed simultaneously with the electronic television guide.;Test results revealed that the printed television guide was significantly faster than the electronic television guide in one test. In the remaining two tests, the electronic television guide was significantly faster. As database size increased, printed guide performance grew poorer and electronic guide performance improved. Significance was also found in the relationships between omissions vs. search efficiency and computer experience vs. search efficiency.;All subjects were given pre and post-test questionnaires. Significant differences were found in questionnaire results. The electronic test group, exposed to the electronic television guide technology, indicated a significantly higher subjective and financial value for the electronic television guide than the printed test group, who were not exposed to the electronic television guide technology.;The electronic television guide proved to be more efficient and more liked than printed television guides. While the results of the study questioned the success of the electronic television guide technology in existing, medium sized broadcast systems, several features that would help to reduce consumer cost and improve cable system profitability were suggested to encourage market penetration. |
