Chennai, Sept 6: Satellite channel Vijay TV is using the audio Web technology provided by Information Exchange India Ltd (Infex) for a current affairs programme. This is the first time Vijay TV is attempting an online relay of public queries.The anchor introduces the theme for the programme `Thamizha Thamizha' and the two participating panelists to viewers. After a brief summary of the issues involved, televiewers are asked to dial the given number with extension and ask questions. The online queries get digitised and routed onto the Infex server located in a particular area. These are transcribed and sent to a different office, where the questions are screened and filtered as they come in from the server. Finally, the voice queries get queued to the studio where the programme is being telecast.
The viewer, who has sent in the query, also hears his own voice in a matter of minutes as also the answer to the query by the panelists.
Despite the numerous physical locations processing the questions, thedelay in transmission is so negligible that the viewer gets a feel of actual participation in the show.
Due to indigenisation, the Web technology is cheaper by 75 per cent than imported versions, according to Infex managing director MG Radhakrishnan. While Infex server transcribes all the questions that come in (at least 150 questions in the 45-minute show), the systems engineer ensures that there is no jamming and questions are released at the appropriate time. Answers are given in great detail, so generally about 6-7 questions are telecast.
However, as the Infex server transcribes all the questions asked, the producer is able to ascertain viewer requirements and interests in terms of queries. Infex gets paid a fee depending upon the number of questions transcribed.
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