The effects of feedback during delays in simulated teletext reception

Abstract

In a teletext service, where pages of information are retrieved from a random sequence of pages broadcast cyclically on a video channel, the mean and variance of system response times are directly related to the number of pages in the cycle. Previous experiments have shown that viewers express annoyance with delays in system response, and that the frequency of such expressions increases non-linearly with delay. This paper examines possible explanations for the reported annoyance. A first experiment investigated the effect on annoyance of different kinds of feedback to the viewer following a page request. Results showed that annoyance grew at a slower rate when continuous, rhythmic feedback was present. Further, knowledge of the actual duration of the delay had no effect on viewers’ annoyance. A second experiment showed that the same continuous feedback shortened viewers' estimates of the durations of the delays. These results suggest that annoyance is due to the experienced delay in system response time, and not to mere awareness of the duration.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Miguel A. Planas

*M. A. Planas is now at Bell Northern Research, PO Box 3511, Station C, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 4H7