DAVIC was created in August 1994 with an expected duration of 5 years. Its task was to create complete sets of specifications using emerging digital audio-visual technologies. Typical services that could be the basis of such audio-visual specifications were defined, ranging from services-on-demand to enhanced broadcasting. Complete systems have been designed that enable these services.

The main achievements of DAVIC are:

• DAVIC 1.0 (published in January 1996) selected a set of tools to support basic applications such as TV distribution, near video on demand, video on demand and simple forms of tele-shopping.
• DAVIC 1.1 (September 1996) added tools to support basic "Internet Compatibility", the addition of microwave broadcast networks (MMDS and LMDS), set-top units that are network-independent and set-top units that can behave as "virtual machines".
• DAVIC 1.2 (December 1996) added tools to enable TV networks to provide Internet services at high speed to TV and PC users, as well as defining HDTV formats and systems for conditional access.
• DAVIC 1.3 (September 1997) added comprehensive Service and Network Management, multiple broadcast servers, mobile reception, scaleable audio, content and meta-data packaging, Java APIs for DVB service information and a new concept of "Contours" - the first instances are Enhanced Digital Broadcast and Interactive Digital Broadcast.
• DAVIC 1.4 (June 98) added basic security tools, MHEG-5 resident programs to access SI, Home network architecture and Home Network Technologies for Home Access Network (HAN) and Home LAN (HLN)
• The final DAVIC release (June 99) added the description of DAVIC Intranet for QoS management of audio-visual services over IP and DAVIC TV-anytime/anywhere for integration of digital TV and Internet Content.

The DAVIC specification has been accepted by ISO/IEC JTC 1 as an International Standard ISO/IEC 16500.

DAVIC having successfully completed its intended tasks ceased active operation after the September 1999 meeting organised in Newport Beach, together with a 1.5 day meeting, supported by DAVIC to facilitate cross-industry discussion of groups which may wish to build upon the results of DAVIC. This meeting was open to all of the industry irrespective of whether they were previously members of DAVIC. As a result of this meeting, a new forum called TVAny Forum was launched

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