First it was the TV, then VCRs, DVD players, PS3, Xbox, Wii, DVRs, now its Web TV. Web TV is a new form of entertainment that leading TV manufacturers have been slowly integrating into our TVs for the last decade. It will start the third era of TV, the first era being the beginning of TV with rabbit ears and TV networks, and the second era of TV being the birth of cable TV to transmit hundreds more channels into home. It is an emerging technology that will allow TV viewers to obtain information from the Web on their TVs without using their computers or without the fuss of connecting another set top box to their TVs. Web TV is the convergence of TV with the Internet. It will make it possible to do everything on TV from doing a simple search in google to reading the latest voting results in CNN News.

One thing to keep in mind is that we are able to enjoy some limited web TV viewing right now with help by other means such as Movies-On-Demand services provided through cable providers, movies downloads through Netflix to computer connected TV, movies thru Apple TV, etc. But the problem is that many viewers see their TVs as computers since a browser must used to have access to these features and in some cases you still have to use a mouse or keyboard to make selections.

When web TV finally reach mainstream these are the following expectations we will see:

• No mouse or keyboard will be required since you do not have full access to the Internet. Full access to Internet is not necessary for web TV to work.

• Viewers will only need the remote to click on buttons called widgets to start applications pre-loaded on their TV. Some widgets available now (mostly for Yahoo) make it possible to call up the latest new headlines, weather, stock prices, sport scores and more while watching TV.
• Viewers will have instant access to posting on popular social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
• Viewers will be able to watch popular video from sites such Youtube, Blip.tv, and SingingFool. They will be able to watch recorded popular TV shows such CSI and As the World Turns on demand.
• Web-based phone such as Skype and videoconference like you saw in the movie “Back The Future Part II” where Marty being fired by his boss will be available on your TV.

• TV with built-in features for Web TV will cost between $100 to $200 more than TV without internet capability.There is the constant pressure that you must replace your TV every few years if the applications (widgets) require more processor power.
• There is always the competition for cable companies. The cable companies can add the features of Web TV to your current TV by simply sending the services through the cable; however, most cable companies cannot offer these services overnight.
• The Internet broadband speed in the United States is not fast as the broadband speed in European and Asian countries. Broadband speed in South Korea is almost three times faster than the US. This higher speed makes it possible to stream HD video without the jerkiness we experience in the US.

As of this writing there are three main players offering Web TV enable TVs.

Sony has been offering these TVs since 2007. Samsung and Vizio are also in the market right now. Many other manufacturers will jump on the bandwagon soon.

As I said at the beginning we are already experiencing some level of Web TV through Apple TV, Tivo HD DVR, and through our computers when connected to the TV. In the end, when the Web TV phenomena finally takes off be ready. Because TV entertainment as we know it will never be the same.