Top teletext - new projects of the teletext decoder: the top procedure (table of pages)

Since the FASTEXT procedure is complex and impracticable to implement, some collaborators of the broadcasters IRT/WDR/ZDF have developed the tabular procedure that takes full advantage of FASTEXT, relative to the simplicity of recalling the teletext pages, without introducing complications in the implementation and management phase. It is therefore possible, for example, in most cases, to renounce the selection of the page through a three-figured number.

The tabular procedure allows the teletext editorial staff complete creative freedom, if they respect determined rules in the organization of the teletext pages. These rules allow for a fast orientation in the offer of the teletext program and an effective guide for the user through the TOP system. This is favoured by a linear organization of the pages, established almost forcedly according to the rules of the structured programming. This is an advantage for users that have traditional teletext decoders.

The TOP procedure lists all the teletext pages available, that were previously assembled in groups or blocks, in a table that is transmitted within the cycle. The groups and the blocks are marked with various codes and can therefore be selected in a simple way on the remote control, by way of special functional keys. The receiving apparatus, that can memorize several teletext pages (for example: with a memory of 100 pages) also has the possibility to receive and to read the pages pertaining to the peripheral field of a group or block for the probable call-back, while the user is still reading the last selected page. This way of skimming through the program with the keys corresponds to a daily guideline and is a little bit like glancing through a magazine.