Time to Change!

Today, life seems unimaginable without the constantly emerging modern technological innovations, even though just less than a century ago even television and radio might have seemed a dream. When we are faced with yet another revolutionary innovation, we are not even surprised. But do we know the background of landmark inventions? Do we know why us, the users need mobile or IP televisions?

As regards the regulation of media content, we have already adopted the guidelines of the European Community, with the transition from analogue to digital technology, which has been successfully implemented in Western Europe. The interactive digital technology exhibition entitled Time to Change and hosted by the House of Future (Jövő Háza), which has opened its gates to the public in December 2009, aims to highlight the advantages of the digital transition and the technology change.

We might even nickname it a propaganda exhibition, as its unconcealed motivation is to help the smooth implementation of the switchover, and to inform prospective users. In any case, a positive aspect of the exhibition is that it presents the knowledge related to the theme, which might seem dry at first sight, in a playful form that is accessible to all prospective viewers, without respect to age or gender. The interactive games that they can try on the spot do not only serve the provision of information, but they are also entertaining at the same time. The simple, easy to understand animations which are an organic part of the exhibition also give an exciting picture of the situation in Hungary to foreign visitors.

The multitude of TV screens built into a spacious interior constitutes a set of diverse locations that keep us engaged every minute. We learn about the backstage processes of program production in a television studio, and just a moment later we are sitting in the school desk again, in order to get more closely acquainted with the intriguing details of digitalisation. Somewhat farther off, we can test our newly acquired knowledge right away with a huge remote control. Rambling between the sites of the exhibition, we can also track the most important pieces of information related to the theme in huge projected images and texts.

The exhibition also recalls the history of television broadcasting, of which the digital transition is just one station, even if the last one for now. Beside acquainting with the new technology to be introduced, we can also familiarise with the IPTV, to which TV programs arrive via the Internet, thus making the TV an interactive set. The new type of technology does not only make the online program magazine available, but we can view our favourite series and films any time, setting the sequence of the programs according to our own preferences and schedule. Should we need to go to the bathroom at the most exciting point, we can even pause the program and continue viewing it at the point where we stopped it. The multifunctional equipment even enables us to change the language, so we can enjoy the excitement of our favourite movies in the original language or dubbed as we please. Features that add to the circle of the advantages of the transition include a wider selection of channels, better quality of image and sound, the opportunity to avoid commercials, and the adjustment of content to individual needs.

Naturally, in order to exploit the full range of advantages offered by the new services, we have to own a TV set suitable for digital reception. As to the usability and best features of the technical equipment, we can also find out about these at the exhibition. The sets available at retailers are compared by a virtual vendor, who can give us expert advice in connection with purchasing.

The large scale application and spread of a new technology entails inevitable social changes. A genre parody, the dream reading show of Kázmér the Seer informs us of the effects of the transition. The esoterical guru not only encourages us to make high tariff calls, but also gives expert answers to call-in questions.

We can absorb all the essential information on digital transition within a couple of hours while walking amidst the genuinely modern scenery, in a really stimulating environment. Entry to the exhibition is free of charge. Organisers await visitors until the 30th of May, from Wednesdays to Fridays between 9 AM and 5 PM, and at the weekends between 10 AM and 6 PM.