TV softwre update - how on earth?

[Gryzor]

Hello,


So, I've got a three year-old Sony TV. It's not a smart TV nor is it connected to anything remotely resembling a network (only way "in" is the media player that's on the LAN and connects through HDMI). Last night I got a message on the screen that... an update for the TV software was available! I chose "Yes" and it proceeded to do its stuff.


The question is... where on earth did it find it?OTA through DTV? But, do they even do that? They would have to carry updates for all brands and models... I can't understand it.


Any ideas?

[TFM]

Do not pose that kind of questions or back man will come and pick you up. 
Never question your TV, just obey! Believe! Consume! 

[Gryzor]

Who's the Back Man?


But yes, I do not question, merely wondering.


I've since learned that, indeed, they do OTA updates to TVs. Impressive!

[Devilmarkus]

Perhaps they do some occult data streaming via cable/satellite connection?
(Maybe through teletext)

[TFM]

Perhaps they do some occult data streaming via cable/satellite connection?
(Maybe through teletext)

Usually they use that small piece of silicone (eZ80) in your brain. Therefore no updates for ladies (silicone is not in the brain).

[Executioner]

The question is... where on earth did it find it?OTA through DTV? But, do they even do that? They would have to carry updates for all brands and models... I can't understand it.

That's exactly how they do it. There is a certain amount of data sent each frame, and the bandwidth is divided into time slices. I assume there's a certain percentage of bandwidth allocated  to each manufacturer and they'll probably drop support for older products over time. Of course, newer products may not even support DVB download in the future if they have network interfaces.

[Gryzor]

Thanks for the explanation. I guess it could be done on a rotating basis, too - like, today we transmit Sony, tomorrow Samsung etc etc and then back to the start again. I wonder how big those software packages are, though I do know that DTV transmissions do have quite some slack (some tv episodes even take between 700 and 1100MB...)