Lack of server standards slowing interactive tools. (interactive TV servers)

There are several interactive TV servers in the development stage, but none have standards or protocols that producers could use for multimedia applications. The media servers being tested are applications specific, many using complicated C++ computer code. One of the more user friendly is OptImage's MediaMogul authoring tool, which is being used by Bell Atlantic, Nynex and Digital Equipment.

While dozens of interactive television servers have been announced and are being prepared for consumer testing, there are no tools available to producers to build the necessary applications