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LAS VEGAS, April 13 /PRNewswire/ — Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Fox, Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., ION Television, Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., NBC, Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media today announced plans to form a standalone joint venture to develop a new national mobile content service. Utilizing existing broadcast spectrum, the service will allow member companies to provide content to mobile devices, including live and on-demand video, local and national news from print and electronic sources, as well as sports and entertainment programming.
Broadcast spectrum to be utilized for the new mobile service will come from the three owned-and-operated station groups — Fox, NBC & Telemundo, and ION — and the nine local broadcast groups, which are Belo, Cox, E.W. Scripps, Gannett, Hearst, Media General, Meredith, Post Newsweek and Raycom. Separately, these nine local broadcast companies formed Pearl Mobile DTV Company LLC as a vehicle for their involvement in the venture.
By aggregating existing broadcast spectrum from its launch partners, the new venture will have the capacity to offer a breadth of mobile video and print content to nearly 150 million U.S. residents. In addition to broadcast spectrum, the partners will commit content, marketing resources and capital to the new venture. The service will employ ATSC-M/H, an open broadcast transmission system developed by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) specifically for mobile devices.
The venture is designed to complement the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Initiative by giving consumers mobile access to video content while reducing congestion of the nation’s wireless broadband infrastructure. In addition, the service’s mobile content network will have the capacity to deliver local and national time-sensitive emergency information to citizens across the U.S.
Regarding the announcement, Jack Abernethy, Chief Executive Officer of Fox Television Stations, stated: “We are excited about building a platform that makes mobile television universally available and economically viable. This venture is the first step in forging cross-industry and company partnerships to deliver content to consumers.”
“This initiative offers a path for the next generation of video consumption, and will help the FCC in its goal of ensuring efficient and reliable broadband service for US consumers,” said John Wallace, President, NBC Local Media.
“Local broadcasters are the backbone of the U.S. media industry,” said David J. Barrett, President and CEO of Hearst Television Inc. “This sharing of content, broadcast spectrum, marketing resources and capital is unprecedented, and underscores U.S. broadcasters’ commitment to bringing vital local news, weather, and emergency information to increasingly mobile U.S. consumers. This is a critically important initiative that holds great promise for our audiences and the television industry. This is truly the next generation of local television service.”
“This venture takes to the next level the work we embarked upon three years ago with the development of Mobile DTV technology, in anticipation of digital TV capabilities and consumer mobile demand,” said Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Television.
“Mobile digital television places each of our companies at the center of a consumer transformation, putting us on cell phones, netbooks, DVD players and even in-vehicle entertainment systems,” said David Lougee, President, Gannett Broadcasting, Gannett Co. Inc. “And it’s the consumers who are the big winners. From news and entertainment to emergency information, virtually all U.S. consumers will soon be able to bring their most valuable content with them wherever they go.”
Information regarding a dedicated management team that will focus on securing additional content, spectrum and distribution partnerships for the venture will be made available at a later date.
 FLO TV has announced a time-shifting DVR function to allow users to save their favorite programs and watch them at a later date. While DVR is a nice feature it will start to make you ask the question why you are paying for that monthly subscription when you could watch the same programs and buy them individually on iTunes, downloading to your iPad, iPod or iPhone and pay only for the content you really want.
The new Pay-Per-Day access only raises the same question. It will be nice to only pay for service when you need it, but then your watching whatever already time-shifted program is on at that time as FLO TV does not actually broadcast live television signal at the same time it normally airs.
With the upcoming release of a multitude of free over-the-air ATSC-M/H products and increased station availability FLO TV must continue to think out of the box to retain subscriptions. While this is a move in the right direction it certainly does not make up for that magic word… FREE.
Harris Corporation, an IT and communications company, has unveiled Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode, a confusingly named mobile TV product jointly developed with LG Electronics USA, FierceMobileContent reports.
This is a little bit behind-the-scenes for most of us, but basically the technology allows for the transmission of up to 16 different video programs across the same 6 MHz bandwidth that TV broadcasters currently use.
The idea is to economize the transmissions enough that mobile programs could be advertised to regular TV viewers, and that they could transmit the same programs in the existing 19.4 Mbps bitstream, the report said, and it’s compatible with the ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV standard adopted last year.
Article Source: http://www.appscout.com/2010/04/lg_harris_unveil_scalable_mobi.php
 PCWorld’s John R. Quain takes a look at current MDTV ATSC-M/H gadgets and gives you a quick rundown on LG Digital Television / DVD Player, LG KB770 Smartphone, and the Valups Mobile DTV Wifi receiver.
Despite all the hype about televisions’ being turned off in droves in favor of Hulu and YouTube, live TV remains easily the most popular entertainment medium (just look at the ratings for American Idol or CSI). Still, in an effort to reach the iPhone generation, the broadcast industry is pushing Mobile Digital Television (Mobile DTV), a technology that lets you watch TV programming while you walk in a park or ride in a car barreling down a highway.
I took several Mobile DTV gizmos for a test drive and was impressed by the technology’s video quality, plus its versatility in integrating with a wide array of devices.
Read the full article at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/193465/mobile_digital_tv_coming_to_a_small_screen_near_you.html
LAS VEGAS, April 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ –
- As the Number of Standards for Digital Television Grows, Developing Terminals Becomes Increasingly Difficult for Manufacturers.
- Programmable Circuits Based on DiBcom’s Octopus Platform Provide the Solution, Especially in the USA, Where a New Standard is Introduced.
- NAB Show 2010
- Las Vegas, 12-15 April 2010
- TeamCast Stand SU6023
DiBcom, the market leader in dedicated components for mobile TV reception, will be demonstrating its Octopus programmable platform at the NAB Show, which runs from 12 to 15 April in Las Vegas.
As the United States launches into a new mobile television venture with the ATSC M/H standard, a “mobile” derivative of the DTT standard currently used in North America (ATSC), operators face the question of the business model, just as they have with DVB-H in Europe. DiBcom has used its experience to develop a flexible platform, called Octopus, which enables manufacturers to enter the field at reduced risk.
The main problem encountered by mobile television around the world is the requirement to invest in a network specifically for mobile transmission. In the United States, the broadcasters think the investment is worthwhile, as they just agreed to add supplementary transmission equipment to the network, enabling their channels to be broadcast free to mobiles. The ATSC-M/H standard makes it possible to upgrade traditional DTT transmitters for “hybrid” fixed/mobile transmission.
The various standards around the world make the task of developing terminals very complicated for manufacturers, as current solutions require a different terminal to be developed for each standard. Leading terminals such as the very latest “state-of-the-art” smartphones rarely have an integrated TV tuner because of the fragmentation of standards across the World.
The revolutionary Octopus circuit offers manufacturers a flexible solution enabling them develop a single hardware design to meet the challenge of the proliferation of fixed and mobile TV standards. “Octopus” is a versatile solution based on a programmable architecture targeting current and emerging mobile TV standards, at the best price-performance ratio.
“By adding new standards to our Octopus platform, we can offer our customers the prospect of reaching ever broader markets, meeting their growth and globalisation needs,” comments Yannick Levy, CEO of DiBcom.
At this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas, DiBcom will be presenting the Octopus programmable platform on the TeamCast stand (SU6023).
About DiBcom
DiBcom is at the heart of Mobile TV. As a fabless semiconductor company that designs high-performance chipsets, DiBcom enables low-power mobile TV everywhere. The company’s solutions are used in automotive, PC/peripheral, Set Top Boxes, and mobile phones. Its chipsets are compliant with the current worldwide Digital Video Broadcast standards DVB-T, DVB-SH, CMMB, DAB, T-DMB and ISDB-T.
For more information, please visit: http://www.dibcom.com
 Paris, France/Nevada City, Calif. March 23, 2010 – WGBH, the public broadcaster in Boston, Mass and the leading producer for PBS, has installed a new Thomson mobile video transmission system from Grass Valley™, based on the ATSC A/153 standard. WGBH’s mobile video service was launched in late 2009 with additional channels added in 2010.
In addition to its main HD DTV channel, the station is simulcasting two Mobile DTV channels: its primary signal plus the ‘GBH Kids channel. WGBH is also rebroadcasting its radio services 89.7 WGBH and 99.5 All Classical in mobile as part of its 6 MHz of digital television spectrum.
“We’re very excited to be the first in our market to offer Mobile DTV services to our audience. We see Mobile DTV as a way to expand our ability to deliver services such as our 99.5 All Classical to a broader geographic area on a wider range of devices”, said Joe Igoe, Chief Technology Officer for WGBH. “Grass Valley’s statistical multiplexing for Mobile DTV will allow us to offer more of our educational services at a higher quality level than would be otherwise possible in our broadcast spectrum. We plan to offer additional Mobile DTV services as the market develops.”
As the only supplier in the broadcast industry to provide equipment from image capture through RF transmission, Grass Valley leveraged years of experience and a broad product portfolio to develop a complete ATSC Mobile DTV system that is fully integrated and pre-configured to ensure real-world success.
“Unlike standard ATSC Mobile DTV encoders, the ViBE line offers Scalable Video Coding and unique Region of Interest encoding algorithms that automatically detect the visually interesting area of a picture and processes them accordingly,” said Christophe Delahousse, Senior Vice President of the Headend and Transmissions business units within Grass Valley. “This allows broadcasters to cost-effectively re-purpose ‘large screen’ content for smaller displays associated with mobile and other handheld devices, further enhancing the user’s experience with the mobile content. Once receiver chips hit the market, we expect WGBH to be successful in the mobile video space, as they have been in other areas of broadcasting; including HDTV.”
Grass Valley is one of the few vendors to offer an end-to-end mobile DTV video solution. The WGBH order includes a new Thomson Adapt IV Exciter with mobility software, a NetProcessor 9030, a Jade electronic services guide (ESG) server, two new ViBE mobility encoders in a statistical multiplexing mode, two ViBE audio encoders, and an Amethyst smart switch for redundancy. Grass Valley engineers handled all equipment installation and commissioning.
WGBH is a longtime Grass Valley customer, and now operates several Grass Valley K2 media servers and other equipment. The station currently operates a two-tube Thomson DCX Paragon MSDC-IOT transmitter, which will now also include the new Adapt IV exciter that has been retrofitted for simultaneous ATSC terrestrial and mobile video operation. WGBH’s sister station WGBX operates a Thomson DCX Millennium single tube transmitter to broadcast its on-air signal.
Thomson ATSC Mobile DTV Terrestrial Broadcast Technology from Grass Valley is backward compatible with legacy ATSC transmission systems, enabling stations to use their existing DTV channel and the mandated ATSC 8-VSB modulation scheme. The technology offers several significant technological advantages over other systems, including the use of M/H Block Coding to provide maximum capability for signal reception.
The basic equipment needed to begin broadcasting mobile video services via ATSC Mobile DTV includes program encoders, a multiplexer, an ESG guide server, and a compatible DTV transmission exciter. Each of these devices is now available in field-tested production models from Grass Valley.
As the Federal Communications Commission begins it’s long process of creating regulations out of the national broadband plan, the battle of using the current broadcast spectrum is heating up and lines are being drawn. At an FCC meeting on April 21 several of the first policies and rules will be announced and the broadcast world is taking notice.
Amont the first recommendations offered to Congress the FCC is starting with USF reform, mobile data roaming, set-top-box reform and cybersecurity. The agency plans to implement more than 40 policy proposals from its plan.
The number of broadcast viewers has risen over recent years with the digital transition bringing more channels to many areas and the overall awareness being raised through last year’s transition and advertising campaigns. With the inevitable on-set of Mobile Digital Television (MDTV) broadcasters see additional revenue models through use of the spectrum.
Wireless broadband advocates argue that the smartphone and tablet explosion will require more bandwidth than is currently available and the spectrum will help alleviate some of the traffic concerns.
“I think it’s a false choice to think it has to be either broadband or broadcasting,” said NAB executive vice president Dennis Wharton. “[Broadcast] is a one-to-everyone transmission system as opposed to a one-to-one transmission system as used by the internet and cellphone providers … We are much more spectrum-efficient than are other communications providers.”
The FCC’s proposal would require broadcasters to return the 120 MHz spectrum to the government so it can be auctioned off for broadband use. Broadcasters say this would limit channels available in many areas often eliminating say niche programming such as foreign-language and religious channels.
Wharton also claims Verizon and AT&T haven’t yet deployed any of the 108 MHz of wireless spectrum gained during the last year’s digital transition, which required broadcasters to reduce channels from 2 – 69 to 2 – 51. “Now we’re being asked to return more spectrum to the government, and we think there’s a way to work with government to maybe accomplish the goals that they are seeking without threatening all the television stations throughout the country,” said Wharton.
#5. Vizio Razor LED TV’s
 Two new Vizio Razor models will feature ATSC-M/H capable tuners and are extremely slim coming in at under 1 inch thick for easy mobility. The VMB090 will feature a 9 inch LED display, mdtv tuner, and a price tag around $199.99. The larger VMB100 will feature a 10 inch LED display, mdtv tuner and a price tag of $229.99.
The one downside of the Vizio Razor’s are the antennas used in the device. With a simple dipole antenna the Razor’s will have a very short range and also have multi-pathing issues in areas such as downtown in a city where signal reflects off of multiple buildings.
At the $199.99 – $229.99 price tag the Vizio Razor’s will make an excellent introductory MDTV system.
#4. FLO TV
 While FLO TV is currently the most publically advertised MDTV device it also has a few major drawbacks.
Featuring a 3.5″ , 320 x 240 pixel resolution touch-screen display, built-in speakers, audio output and a wide variety of available programming compared to most current MDTV markets FLO TV is coming out of the gate strong.
However, FLO TV has several drawbacks that we believe in time will see the service fade. First, FLO TV requires not only a $250 equpiment charge for the 3.5″ display, but also requires a monthly programming charge unlike other devices sporting a ATSC-M/H tuner and allowing you to pickup free over-the-air broadcasts. Availability and programming are also limited as local broadcasters continue to adopt free MDTV broadcasts.
FLO TV has a good backing and a large headstart, but we believe free will win out in the end.
#3. Tivit – Free TV for your iPhone
 The Tivit is a stand-alone device that contains an ATSC-M/H tuner, 9 inch expandable antenna and a WI-FI transmitter that re-transmits the collected MDTV signal and broadcasts it to your iPhone. The user launches a Tivit iPhone app and your up and watching mobile television.
What makes Tivit unique is the ability to broadcast the mobile handheld television signal to a device many of us already own. The Tivit will not only work with your iPhone but also the Android, Blackerry or your own personal computer or laptop.
Current Tivit models showcased at CES had some software bugs and missing features, but the Tivit release is not scheduled until later in 2010. Cost estimates put the Tivit between $90 – $120.
#2. Your Cell Phone
 While our number three gadget on the list brings MDTV to your existing phone, get ready to have an ATSC-M/H tuner built into most cell phones in the next two years. Instead of using a Tivit type device their will be new versions of the iPhone, Android and Blackberry featuring an internal tuner, antenna and all-in-one MDTV device.
LG is currently showcasting the GSM phone which features a 3-inch LCD screen and a battery capable of delivering up to 4 hours of mobile television viewing. LG’s 7-mm square LG2161R receiver chip is pushing much of this technology and includes a VHF and UHF tuner, the mobile DTV demodulator and the circuitry necessary to display mobile DTV signals. It offers faster channel changing speed than earlier chipsets and power consumption has been reduced, allowing increased viewing time.
While most cell phone models will not be released until 2011, this part of the industry will really be the game changer. When you can wrap the MDTV technology into your personal cell-phone you will begin to see wide acceptance of the technology.
#1. Winegard Cio
What’s the most important part of MDTV? Actually being able to receive the signal! Winegard has been making television antennas since the 1950’s and if anyone can acquire that signal on-the-go and figure out how to expand the range, it’s them.
The Cio features an internal ATSC-M/H tuner, antenna, 10.2-inch touch-screen, CD/DVD player, iPhone/iPod connector and emulator, SD card reader, USB connection for a 3G or 4G dongle, wireless internet card, audio output over included RF headphones, FM modulator to your car’s stereo, or standard audio output to your own headphones. While the Cio is primarily sold as an in-car system mounted on the brackets of your head-rest, the Cio is also completely mobile and can be easily removed, a 5-hour battery pack inserted, and taken with you.
While the Cio we were able to get our hands on at CES had several software bugs the device itself was top-notch. The screen looked crystal-clear and the device was picking up over 20 channels that day inside the convention center.
The Cio will be available in Summer 2010 and is currently priced at $599 for version 1 and $699 for version 2 which features the internal ATSC-MH tuner.
 #1. MDTV Gadget - Winegard Cio
 NEW YORK, March 29 /PRNewswire/ –
- Company now offers live, mobile TV in eight 2010 model-year vehicles: Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep® Commander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro, Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500
- Watch live sports, breaking news, kids’ programs and primetime network shows in the back seat
- Content includes programming from ABC, ABC Entertainment, ABC Family, ABC News, Adult Swim Mobile, CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, CNN Mobile, COMEDY CENTRAL, Disney Channel, Disney Channel Original Movies, ESPN, ESPNEWS, ESPN 2, FOX, FOX News Channel, FOX Sports, Fuel TV, MSNBC, MTV, NBC, NBC2Go, NBC News, NBC Sports, Nickelodeon, Playhouse Disney, SOAPNet and Speed
- Feature available now as a Mopar option for $629 plus installation, includes one-year subscription
- Mopar’s live, mobile TV option includes 3-year/36,000-mile warranty for new vehicles and a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on used vehicles
Live, mobile TV is coming to the Big Apple.
Mopar is channeling live, mobile TV into Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram vehicles. The company will showcase its new technology at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.
Chrysler Group LLC is the first automaker in the United States to offer live, mobile TV to consumers. The system offers something for everyone: college and professional sports, breaking news, children’s shows, primetime sitcoms, reality TV and daytime dramas.
“We are the first automaker in the United States to offer live, mobile TV in more than 100 metropolitan markets,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer – Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. “Live, mobile TV gives our customers the ultimate in entertainment and it’s a great example of how Mopar adds value to our Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands.
“With Mopar’s wide range of options and accessories, customers may customize their vehicles to fit their needs and aspirations,” Gorlier added. “In addition to accessories, Mopar also supports each brand with excellent customer service, enhanced with cutting-edge service-tool technology including wireless diagnostic.”
Until now, the challenge for mobile TV has been to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted coverage in urban environments and at highway speeds. Existing mobile TV systems in the United States either offer limited channels or require larger satellite dishes on vehicle roofs – and a large price tag to match.
Mopar’s suggested retail price is $629, plus installation. A one-year pre-paid subscription is included with installation.
The entertainment package is available as a dealer-installed option on the following 2008-2010 model-year vehicles with factory DVD entertainment systems: Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro, Ram 1500 and Ram 2500/3500.
The service also may be added to select 2008-2010 model-year vehicles when new Mopar headrests or seat-top DVD entertainment systems are purchased.
How It Works
Television signals are delivered through a dedicated multicast network built by San Diego-based FLO™ TV Inc., a live, mobile TV service provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc. FLO TV offers live and time-shifted programming from top entertainment brands.
The service is available in more than 100 major markets and many interstate driving corridors; however, it is not available in some rural areas.
Audiovox Corp., of Hauppauge, NY, supplies FLO TV Auto Entertainment hardware that integrates with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles’ existing entertainment systems and new Mopar 7-inch DVD screen systems. A small antenna, similar in size to a laptop mouse, is mounted on a vehicle’s roof to deliver the digital TV signal. Inside the vehicle, the receiver and wiring are installed under the interior trim of the vehicle and are not visible to occupants.
User-friendly wired and wireless remote controls allow viewers to easily surf channels, similar to TV systems at home.
Mopar’s live, mobile TV option includes a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on new vehicles or a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on used vehicles for hardware and installation.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Mopar brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete effectively on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation — first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 — and Fiat’s complementary technology.
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger and Ram 1500. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small and medium-size cars, allowing Chrysler Group LLC to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.
Follow Chrysler news and video on:
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chryslercom and www.twitter.com/chrysler
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm
LAS VEGAS
Armed with a new industry standard in hand—quite literally, in the case of future devices—and laying claim to some of the best real estate available at the NAB Show this month, ATSC Mobile DTV proponents are counting on all the stars aligning in Las Vegas for the launch of what some see as a “game-changer” for the broadcast industry.
Situated in the heart of the Grand Lobby of the LVCC at NAB (April 12-15), the Mobile DTV Marketplace will demo a wide array of consumer devices rolling out in the near future. The marketplace is being sponsored by a quartet of heavy hitters: the Advanced Television Systems Committee, the Consumer Electronics Association, the Open Mobile Video Coalition, and NAB.
Themed “Experience the Power of Local Broadcast TV on the Go,” the marketplace is being geared to provide local broadcasters with the wide array of likely mobile devices to be shipped soon to American retailers—from smart-phones to hand-held iPad-like PCs to fixed in-vehicle displays.
Mobile DTV proponents also will conduct a NAB Super Session on Tuesday (April 13) to brief executives on an upcoming “consumer showcase” for the Washington, D.C. market (DMA 9) now getting underway with the participation of at least eight local broadcasters. The session, “Mobile TV: Ready for Primetime?” will feature Saul Berman of IBM, Brett Jenkins of Ion Television, Frank Barbieri of Transpera, Jonathan Barzilay of Flo TV, and Gary Arlen of Arlen Communica-tions.
BIGGEST HURDLE? CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE
“While everyone talks about ‘mobile,’ this is more about ‘transportable,’” said panelist Arlen, an analyst based in Bethesda, Md. “Viewers will watch shows or streams wherever they are—thus validating the concept of ‘best available screen.’ That is, they’ll use a handheld or mobile device if they cannot get to a laptop/desktop monitor or a ‘real’ TV set.”
Arlen thinks the major challenge for mobile video will be the competitive landscape. “Consumers will be very confused about the different offers—and the incompatible equipment requirements—as they’re pitched Flo TV, the various OMVC options, as well as streamed Web video services they can get now on smart-phones and other mobile handsets.”
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| iMovee’s Touch Telly is one of the first products on the market to be ATSC-M/H compatible and is currently on sale in selected U.S. cities. |
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OMVC Executive Director Anne Schelle said Mobile DTV shouldn’t be mistaken by consumers as simply another option in the current competition already out there. “[Pay-service] MobiTV is only on the Sprint platform and offers largely recorded clips—not simulcasts of live TV,” she said. “And Flo TV is a total premium service and is not offering local stations. At NAB, you’ll see us demo all the local Las Vegas broadcast channels, plus some premium cable content, across [several] broadcast stations.”
NAB Science & Technology Senior Vice President Lynn Claudy said while Mobile DTV will have a big presence at NAB, “The focus is moving well beyond tech-nology demonstrations. The NAB Show’s demos and sessions will underscore the real breadth of participation by industry partners and CE manufacturers—including the CEA—which will be critical in determining if Mobile DTV will succeed in the marketplace.” However, Claudy said, the technology side of mobile DTV is now largely stable. “Our optimism in the technology realm has paid off well.”
Claudy said—based on what promises to be a robust level of participation in the Mobile DTV Marketplace (and in the Mobile DTV Pavilion located in the upper level of the LVCC South Hall)—”NAB is optimistic about Mobile DTV’s commercial future.” NAB’s chief technology executive also said engineers should take note of the several Mobile DTV sessions and papers being offered at the Broadcast Engineering Conference. One paper, “Perceived Video Quality and Bit Rate in the ATSC Mobile DTV Standard,” will be presented by the Communications Research Center of Canada on Sunday (April 11) at 5 p.m. (Rm. S219, LVCC).
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| Lynn Claudy, NAB Science & Technology Senior Vice President |
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AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
Andy Whiteside, general manager of Acrodyne Services, said for local stations the implementation of Mobile DTV is not just a transmitter or studio upgrade. “It requires an integrated approach to the ’signal chain’ in order to provide the broadcaster and potential viewer with full access to the capabilities of the new standard,” he said. (Acrodyne, which last year shuttered its transmitter business, increasingly sees itself as a Mobile DTV systems integrator and does not en-dorse any particular product lines.)
Whiteside said the new ATSC A/153 standard offers broadcasters myriad opportunities beyond what he calls “little TV,” but he said several business and legal issues remain—notably content rights and questions of free-to-air or subscription—which must be resolved. “The resolution of such issues drives the tech-nical side, so my advice to tech execs is to retain as much flexibility as possible in selecting equipment and suppliers, so as not to get backed into a corner. Mobile DTV represents the only opportunity for broadcasters to extend their reach to new demographics, to extend their reach outside the home,” he said.
Arlen said revenue questions remain, as well—”namely who gets a share of what? I’m also waiting to see how the mobile device dealers—ranging from big-box merchants to wireless phone carrier outlets—will sell their video services. That will add another level of entertainment and a lot of complexity to what is already a complicated sales process,” he said.
Sterling Davis, vice president of engineering at Cox Broadcasting, chairs the OMVC’s Technical Advisory Group. “We already have five [Cox] stations up and running with mobile TV and there are a lot of good reasons to do it,” he said. “At this stage, I don’t think the jury’s still out on mobile TV—I think it’s going to happen. Most broadcasters will wind up doing it sooner or later. And it’s not very expensive to implement,” said Davis, the recipient of last year’s NAB Engineer-ing Achievement Award for Television.
Article Source: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/97210
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