Java TV
| Company type | Software framework |
|---|---|
| Industry | Interactive television, Software development |
| Products | Java TV API, Reference Implementation ("jmflite") |
Java TV represents a Java-driven software framework designed specifically for television set-top box devices, utilizing modular elements known as Xlets. It is built upon the Connected Device Configuration platform and is primarily intended for the creation of iTV applications.
The API encompasses Xlet-related classes found in javax.tv.xlet along with several essential packages:
- javax.tv.graphics – delivers a graphical rendering surface
- javax.tv.locator – provides service and media locators akin to URLs (for instance, service:/SERV1)
- javax.tv.service – specifies service information (SI) databases and APIs that represent TV channels and playable media content
Criticisms
While the framework itself is broadly applicable, Sun's official support is confined to Java ME. In certain segments such as media locators, newer standards on platforms like BD-J have effectively replaced it.
A significant challenge arises because numerous sample applications, including the early 2000s’ SvcDispXlet, depend on AWT components like java.awt.Button. However, most iTV platforms and BD-J adopt the Personal Basis Profile, which excludes AWT widgets, in contrast to the Personal Profile that incorporates them.
Sun’s reference implementation mitigates support complexities by employing a streamlined variant of the Java Media Framework, named "jmflite." Nevertheless, this version has not been modernized to support more recent Java editions; for example, it continues to use outdated methods such as Thread.stop(), which was made final starting with Java 1.5. This suggests there is no active plan to advance Java ME beyond JRE 1.3, and any such enhancement would demand considerable involvement from hardware manufacturers.
See also
External links
- Java ME Technology - Java TV API – featuring Sun's Reference Implementation
- Java TV API 1.1 (JSR-927) online Javadocs
- The JavaTV tutorial