User experience of Cuban digital television: Approach to the definition of users and evaluation of the interface in Palmira Municipality

Abstract

This research aims to diagnose the user experience of Cuban digital television in the Palmira municipality in the province of Cienfuegos in Cuba. The ethnographic method stands out because it relies on a descriptive qualitative approach and uses theoretical and empirical methods to collect information. Techniques such as interviews, participant observation, and thinking aloud were also used. The population comprises the town of Palmira, with a selection of the sample according to diversity or maximum variation, in confluence with the sample by type of cases. People of different ages and genders, as well as people of various occupations, were included. Persons with visual problems were also considered. The final result aims to identify the patterns and actions of digital television users in the Palmira Sur neighborhoods, specifically young people, adults, and older adults, in terms of their interaction, accessibility, and usability of SET-TOP-BOX devices, televisions, and SmarTV.
On the one hand, the results show that adults and older individuals are the largest consumers of digital television, keeping themselves informed through Cuban television’s Noticiario Estelar news program or relaxing while watching movies and comedy shows. On the other hand, young people watch less television, and when they do, they prefer sports programs. People commonly use remote controls, especially for basic actions and connecting USB devices. Although digital signal-receiving devices offer accessibility facilities, they must continue to expand other support services so that people with various disabilities can interact appropriately with digital television.