With computers, televisions and other digital devices working together seamlessly, a digital video infrastructure will be a central part of the infrastructure delivering the NII's benefits to the home and the workplace. Consequently, it should be US policy to promote movement towards the creation and interoperabilty of this infrastructure. Digital video is a relatively new technology, first appearing as video teleconferencing in the early 1980s. In 1991 and 1992, six systems were extensively tested to determine which should form the basis for the HDTV standard. While entertainment television has been the principal video application of recent decades, new services promise to expand the use of video in many directions.
Advanced video is a crucial technology policy issue.
TPWG has concluded that video interoperability is a principal NII policy concern. Interoperability will enrich the NII because a greater range of services will be available to the average user. Consequently, industry will have better use of its investments because of the wider user base. Interoperability will create an environment that stimulates the invention of new applications. Building on the progress of current HDTV technology is an imperative.