New electronic media and the human interface.

Discussion is focused on the relationship between the new media and the human visual system. First, the process of information transmission in the human visual system is shown as a hierarchically structured model. Second, examples of the human interface in the development of a Japanese teletext system are shown, such as desired luminance and contrast, or favourable colour combination, or how to make superimposed sentences on screen easy to read. Third, examples of the human interface in the development of Hi-Vision, or High Definition Television (HDTV), are discussed, namely the conditions required for Hi-Vision from the standpoint of visual characteristics, the visual effects of Hi-Vision, and an objective evaluation of psychological effects of Hi-Vision.