It comes in a small box that connects to a TV set, which serves as the video monitor. Included is a modem to connect to the Internet. WebTV systems are marketed by Sony, Phillips and other companies through various retailers. Although WebTV does not provide as much functionality as accessing the Internet through a computer, it is, by design, much simpler and less expensive. WebTV reformats Web sites to compensate for the lower resolution of a television, but all the color, photos and graphics are still present.
Readability is more than acceptable, especially on a good-quality television.
Since television screens tend to be larger than computer monitors, WebTV often helps seniors with weak eyesight. Secure communication with encryption is available on WebTV so that such things as banking, stock trading and other business transactions can be safely performed by users. A third of WebTVs users are seniors. Despite being old or financially limited, seniors find ways to get online with their own systems or by using their friends' machines or those at libraries and community centers. Many adult children are buying WebTVs for their parents as a convenient way to keep in touch.