This is our first project for Live Experimental Interactive TV. We tried to do some live mash-up video. Our audience are texting some samples of the lyrics to our system and we display it on the video with audio. I worked with Edward Gordon(Gordie), Adam Harvey and Jeff Howard  for this project.

System has 3 different parts. First part is the TextMarks system and php code. User sends a text to TextMarks and php code saves it in a text file. Then, there is a processing application keeps checking the the text messages that user send and matches them with the ones in the song. Processing checks the text file in every half second. Then, processing application sends the keyword to Max/Msp by using OSC. Then in Max/Msp we have a video that skips to marked keyword points audio, that matches with video and also an audio part that plays under the video.

I think our work was creative and fun to play. Also it worked so well. I think some additions could be, not using a song but some other mesh-up thing that is not related to time. Also, maybe some more reflection of the user on the video would be useful.

This weeks assignment was to watch a live show and think about possible interactions.

As I said in the class, I don’t have a television as machine or cable t.v. So, I tried to watch things online or in bars.

First thing that I watched was a Turkish late night show, called Media King. During the show they have few guests, mostly actors, writers, musicians etc. and they talk about things that they are doing. Sometimes they get in to some political arguments also. They are mostly well educated people, so it is usually fun to watch it. Also they have a section that they watch some youtube videos or some parts of the shows from t.v. and make fun of the funny parts. One interesting thing about them is, they keep saying t.v. is bad for you and you shouldn’t even watch this program, which is very confusing.

Possible interactions that I can think about, people can choose the videos that they are showing by using a website, people can nominate videos and vote. Also, when guests are discussing stuff, people can join them by using chat. However, I believe that that would kill all the specialties of making a show. Also, they usually have 6 guest and lost of people in studio. So, maybe different camera options that are given to user can be helpful.

I also watched an NBA game between NY Knicks and LA Lakers, on Friday night.  I guess there is a lot to do with cameras and graphics for sports events. I guess having control on camera is a big thing. Also, visualization of data is really helpful. I think, if user can chose data to visualize or compare in some given options and choose the visualization type, can be really helpful. Having reply option is a big thing also.

These are my first explorations about interactive t.v.’s. I guess these are very simple things, but most of them still the things that we don’t have.