BBC experiments with personalized video service
The BBC is working on a video service that adapts to the taste and wishes of the user. Anyone who wants to use the service must first go through a personalization process via the smartphone, after which the videos shown are adapted to the preferences of those who want to.
It is a research project, of which the BBC explains on its website what the intention is. Various elements in a video can be customized based on a person’s preferences. For example, the storyline can be turned around, the background music can be changed and the color adjustment can be tinkered with. The BBC gives as an example that scenes can be removed from videos, scenes can also be given from the perspective of another character. The project is dubbed Visual Projective Media by the BBC.
In order to determine where the viewer’s preferences are based, a personalization process must be completed. Users have to answer questions about their personality via an app on the smartphone. It also looks at which songs the user listens to. In order to generate different versions of videos, parts of the videos, such as scenes and music pieces, are cut into different pieces. These different parts can then be reassembled into a consistent whole, based on the preferences of the user.
In the future, the BBC also wants to collect information about the user in other ways. For example, consideration is being given to collecting information in real time, i.e. while someone is watching the video. However, it is not yet clear exactly what this should look like.
The BBC states that the Visual Perceptive Media project will not be released as a new service immediately, so it is unclear whether it will make it out of the development phase. A prototype of the video service will be released in due course, which will be tested publicly. When it will be released has not yet been announced.
The British broadcaster often conducts research projects for the development of new features. For example, last summer an experimental headset was developed that functions as a remote control for the iPlayer. That system works by reading brain signals, which are therefore translated into commands for the video player.