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MediaSync pp 271–294Cite as

Synchronization for Secondary Screens and Social TV: User Experience Aspects

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Abstract

This chapter provides an in-depth discussion on the impact of synchronization of TV-related applications on the user experience. After all, applications meant to be used in conjunction with TV watching are created for the benefit and pleasure of the viewer. In order to explain the main user-related aspects of media synchronization, we will first sketch how the television and media landscape has evolved and which timing and synchronization aspects are important for the makers of TV-related applications. Then, we will delve into the core topic of this chapter by presenting the main user experience aspects involved in the creation of second-screen (Attentive readers will notice that ‘second screen’ is sometimes written with, and sometimes without a hyphen. When using ‘second screen’ without a hyphen, we use it as a substantive (the second screen). When using ‘second-screen’ with a hyphen, it is used as an adjective (second-screen applications).) applications—a specific type of TV-related application that has gained a lot of attention in the past years. Finally, we highlight the impact of synchronization issues on the user experience for Social TV applications. Our insights are gathered from our earlier publications in this area, results of research with users from the European research project TV-RING, and related literature. The chapter will, therefore, serve as an overview of media synchronization from the perspective of the viewer, based on our own insights and experiences, and complemented with the current state of the art.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Sometimes it is argued that in certain cases the tablet or smartphone is the first screen, and the TV is in the background as a second screen. While we agree with this perspective as a possible use of the term, our interest goes to those cases where TV is the first screen and other devices act as a second screen.

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Acknowledgments

A significant part of the results presented in this chapter was obtained in the TV-Ring project (EC grant agreement ICT PSP-325209). We would like to thank all partners in the TV-Ring project. Special thanks to NPO of the TV-Ring consortium with whom we have conducted this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Jeroen Vanattenhoven

  2. Mintlab, KU Leuven/imec, Leuven, Belgium

    David Geerts

Authors
  1. Jeroen Vanattenhoven
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  2. David Geerts
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeroen Vanattenhoven .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Comunicaciones, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) – Campus de Gandia, Valencia, Grao de Gandia, Spain

    Mario Montagud

  2. Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Pablo Cesar

  3. Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Fernando Boronat

  4. Departamento de Comunicaciones, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) – Campus de Gandia, Valencia, Grao de Gandia, Spain

    Jack Jansen

Definitions

Time-shifting

watching broadcasted video content at a different moment; (before or after) it is being broadcast.

Second screen

screen-based device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop that is used while watching television (the first screen).

Second-screen application

an application that can be used on a laptop, tablet or smartphone in conjunction with the television program.

Social TV

Interactive application that allows television viewers in remote locations to socially interact with each other.

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Vanattenhoven, J., Geerts, D. (2018). Synchronization for Secondary Screens and Social TV: User Experience Aspects. In: Montagud, M., Cesar, P., Boronat, F., Jansen, J. (eds) MediaSync. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65840-7_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65840-7_10

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-65840-7

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