Convergence

A unique feature of television is that it is both a medium and a transmission system. The internet also involves the transmission of information in form of bits. Television is, therefore, different from computer, the device which receives the bits. The content of the Internet is based on the World Wide Web material which is both dynamic and multimedia style and contains both audio and video chips.

Therefore when the issue of the convergence of the media is brought forth, it is implied that the programs displayed on the television will merge with the World Wide Web content and the television shows will have different type of media like texts integrated into them. It is also quite likely that the television too shall run on a browser and display the same content as shown on the computer. True convergence means that both the devices can share the same content.

The second issue of convergence between the computers and the television is the merger of the two as devices. If this happens as it is likely to, then there would be no distinct ‘televisions’ and ‘computers’ as such, but there would be new devices that would contain the features of both the entities. This ‘viewing device’ will be manufactured in different sizes and shapes but will contain the same features and considered basically the same item just as the 14 inch TV and 50 inch TV are considered the same device or the same genre. You can use the same ‘viewer device’ on your desk top for browsing through the internet and place it in your living room and use it as Home Theater. Or, you will be able to use the same device for both the purposes by switching over to the other aspect.

Technically there should be no problem for both the devices to feature the same functionality, i.e., the television acting as a computer and vice versa. There is every possibility of the televisions functioning as computers in the near future. You can get Gateway 2000 Destination series computers are powered to a function as TVs and have TV boards to watch the TV programs. The only question is about the extent of functionality and type of media of the majority of televisions and computers. An office worker would like his viewing device to function more as a computer as against the housewife who would like her device to feature as a home theater.