This new TV technology is called Qube （求比), a pay-cable system now operating in Columbus, Ohio in

This new TV technology is called Qube (求比), a pay-cable system now operating in Columbus, Ohio in 20,000 homes for its first trial run. The new "two-way" cable system allows subscribers to "talk back" to those people miles away behind the TV cameras. Qube subscribers can select 30 different programs by pressing one of the buttons on a box like device, called the Qube console. (1)On the console, the channel selectors are connected by wire (cable) from the box, to the TV set, through the wall, into the street, then over utility poles (电线杆) or underground for miles and miles to the computers at the Qube's TV studio headquarters.Nine at the buttons connect to special TV programs that allow the audience to respond to questions by pressing the appropriate button on the Qube box, sending electronic signals to the Eclipse computers. A question is flashed on the screen with possible answers; or buttons 2 can serve as "yes" or "no" replies. The computers in the TV studio tabulate the responses from all viewers and flash the results on TV. (2)At last, the viewer can talk to his or her TV, and so far, Qube subscribers have held dialogues with politicians, decided on talent show winners, and even named a baby.They call it "touching in" since the words "touch now" flash at the bottom of the TV screen when a response is requested.

Qube is revolutionizing American's relationship with television. As expected, the more popular of the 30 channels are those where the audience can "interact" and "touch in". the computers scan the response buttons every 6 seconds to provide the talk-back facility. (3)Quiz shows allow the audience to guess along with the players in the TV studios by responding to the multiple choice or true-false questions flashed on the TV screen.A weekly amateur talent contest. Talent Search, has viewers voting on whether each local act should be allowed to continue. When 50% or more hit the "no" button, the performer must stop. An interview show called Columbus Active makes frequent use of the two-way connection. (4)On a recent program 53% of Qube viewers touched in to say they would 'jump at the chance' to have dinner with ex-president Richard Nixon.Qube viewers are still waiting for the time when a politician will make a statement and then ask his audience: "How many of you believed what I just said？"

Qube has the ability to provide a range of services that viewers can choose to subscribe to. (5)In the past, only a way a viewer could control what was broadcast on TV was to change the channel.Some see Qube as the beginning of a new era--Narrowcast. Narrowcast indicates the computers have ability to send a certain program only to some TV households (the rest get snow). With the cooperation of local colleges, Qube viewers, at extra cost can have various courses narrowcast into their living rooms.