Ambient Media and Home Entertainment

Media are “[media] means effecting or conveying something such as (1) a surrounding or enveloping substance; or (2) a condition or environment in which something may function or flourish; or (3) mode of artistic expression or communication.”(Merriam-Webster, n.d.) In the case of ambient media, the humans’ natural environment becomes to the “enveloping media” as an environment in which content functions. This work therefore deals with the development of ambient media, far beyond seeing TV as a major entertainment platform in consumers’ homes. To satisfy the entertainment-hungry consumer, more and more advanced home entertainment (HE) systems and facilities are required to provide interactive and smart leisure content. This chapter glimpses the future of modern ambient HE systems. Experts in the field of ambient media discuss and contribute to four major lines of the future development of ambient media: (1) social implications, (2) converging media, (3) consumer content, and (4) smart devices.