HbbTV - what is it?
You will always find TVs with HbbTV support in the leaderboards. But what is that actually? We clarify it.
Interactive television - HbbTV makes it possible
The HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) standard is now integrated in almost all Smart TVs. This allows additional information from the program provider to be displayed at certain times.
- For this purpose, the respective broadcaster sends a so-called AI table with a URL to your television. You can then call this up with a red button on your remote control. That is why HbbTV is often referred to as "Red Button TV".
- For example, you can get information about the current program, the TV program or current news from all over the world.
- HbbTV connects your television program with the internet features of the current television sets. Many see this concept as a modern teletext.
- It doesn't matter whether you get your TV signal via satellite, cable or DVB-T. HbbTV now works with every known transmission type.
Everything is possible with HbbTV
All major television stations have already integrated the HbbTV standard:
- With the public service programs ARD and ZDF, for example, you can call up a personalized homepage with the current TV program at any time. Here you will also find trailers for upcoming broadcasts and the complete media library from the Internet.
- The same applies to private channels such as SAT.1 and ProSieben. Here you will also find smaller "apps" that show you the current weather or enable the well-known teletext chats. Ultimately, this gives you full access to the TV station's website, which is optimized for your television.
- Other functions are also conceivable in the future: for example, casting shows could be tuned directly to the TV instead of calling the broadcaster. At cooking shows, you could also call up the right recipe directly or buy tickets for the next gigs at concert broadcasts. An individualized TV program would also be conceivable: for example, your own preferences could be analyzed and a television magazine with similar programs created.
- Even if most of it is not yet possible, one thing is certain: with HbbTV, the television channels are already closely merged with the Internet. And this trend will continue. So you can further upgrade your TV with various apps.
Be careful with Hbb TV
As many advantages as the HbbTV concept may have, there is one crucial catch:
- HbbTV connects the televisions to the Internet. Most devices do not have really good protection against malware or hacker attacks.
- If you do not use HbbTV, it is therefore worth deactivating the function.
- You can also increase the security of your Smart TV using other means. It is particularly important to install new updates from the manufacturer as quickly as possible.
- Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Security and Information Technology
Most TVs in the store these days are Smart TVs. If you have an older model without the online functions, you can also upgrade your TV to a SmartTV.
- Are you planning to buy a TV? Here are shops with current discount vouchers, Euronics vouchers, Samsung vouchers, Voelkner vouchers