LG 3D Mobile Digital Television CES 2011 from Dave the Gadget Guy on Vimeo.

We briefly chatted with LG’s John Taylor, US VP of marketing, to better understand when LG might bring its auto-stereoscopic 3D mobile TV to market. The US market, to be precise, since this portable TV is built around the ATSC-M/H standard for mobile TV. The television on hand here in Vegas was a prototype using a 7-inch 800×480 pixel parallax barrier panel developed by LG Display and destined for other LG products including a 3D picture frame still under development. The 3D effect was on par with the capabilities we’ve seen from other parallax barrier displays of similar size. LG’s testing the waters right now with plans to launch in 2012 for less than $200 — just as soon as broadcasters embrace the fledgling technology in sufficient numbers. Full press release, including an image of a prototype CMDA touchscreen phone built around the Mobile DTV circuitry.

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

“With more broadcasters adding mobile digital TV transmissions each month, we want to show the wireless industry exactly what’s involved in delivering over-the-air digital TV signals, familiar programs from your favorite TV stations, to mobile phone users. The devices we’re showing here work with the free over-the-air Mobile DTV signals from broadcasters, complementing video services by wireless carriers.  In addition to these cell phones running on both the CDMA and GSM networks, we’re also demonstrating how easy it is to receive mobile DTV on a netbook with a plug-in accessory receiver,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president, marketing and innovation, LG Mobile Phones.

Based on the mobile DTV standard co-developed by LG Electronics, the handsets equipped with mobile DTV include a CDMA phone with twin LCD screens (on the inside, and outside, of the clamshell handset); a CDMA model with a 2.8-inch LCD screen and up to four hours of DTV-viewing battery life, and a GSM phone with a 3-inch LCD screen also with up to four hours of DTV time.

Wireless industry veteran Anne Schelle, now executive director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition, representing more than 900 TV stations, applauded LG for its leadership in developing the new mobile DTV broadcast standard, chips and handsets, adding: “Mobile DTV represents a significant opportunity for wireless carriers to partner with broadcasters and take advantage of this robust point-to-multipoint video distribution system.  This will allow cellular operators to more efficiently use their own spectrum for value-added services, while tapping into a new revenue source by providing interactive services to consumers and audience measurement capabilities to TV stations.”

Seven Millimeters Square

The eye-catching demonstrations by LG are made possible by a new reception, tuning and decoding chip that measures only seven millimeters on each side, designed for easy integration into mobile phone handsets.  The LG2161R receiver chip is already in pilot production and will move to mass production this summer.  This latest-generation LG mobile DTV chip includes both the RF (radio frequency) tuner and the mobile DTV demodulator for reception and display of the robust new DTV signals that are now being transmitted by select local broadcast TV stations.

The new LG2161R is a system-on-chip architecture that fully supports the specification of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) A/153 mobile DTV standard with the capability of receiving mobile TV broadcasts in both the UHF and VHF bands.  With improved channel changing speed from earlier chipsets, the LG2161R also features enhanced reception performance and like its predecessors is extraordinarily efficient – allowing a typical cell phone viewer to watch more than 3.5 hours of programming on a single battery charge.

Netbook and USB Receiver Combo

Also highlighted in the LG exhibit at CTIA Wireless 2010 is the powerful new LG X300 netbook connected to an external USB-port “dongle” receiver that can easily receive the same over-the-air mobile DTV signals viewed on the prototype cell phones.  Weighing in at fewer than 990g with smart built-in features such as Smart-On 2.0, built-in Wi-Fi and a 64GB hard drive, the X300 provides the ultimate on-the-go computing – and with the dongle receiver, broadcast television – experience.

“Among the first products to reach consumers will be a variety of USB receivers for mobile DTV, most of which are built around LG chips for reception,” said Dr. Jong Kim, president of LG’s U.S. R&D lab, Zenith.  These low-cost receivers can instantaneously transform a netbook, or laptop computer into a mobile digital TV receiver with the addition of software that will come with the USB device.  LG is working with more than a dozen companies to introduce mobile DTV products in the U.S. market – all powered by LG chips.”

Mobile Digital TV:  LG’s Latest Innovation

The deployment of mobile DTV by local broadcasters and by device manufacturers is the next logical step for digital television.  LG took a leadership role at the beginning of the digital transition with HDTV projection TV sets, which have now evolved into svelte and stylish flat-screen LCD and Plasma models.  LG technology was built into millions of digital TV converter boxes that are bridging consumers who are extending the life of their analog screens, and now LG technology is paving the way for mobile digital TV with the introduction of new products from a variety of manufacturers that utilize the LG mobile DTV receiving/decoding chip inside.

Standardized by the ATSC and formally adopted as the Mobile DTV standard just five months ago, the new Mobile DTV standard allows broadcasters to use a portion of the existing 19.4 Megabit-per-second DTV channel capacity to transmit data with extremely robust characteristics suitable for mobile, pedestrian and handheld applications.  The Mobile DTV signal is also compatible with 8-VSB DTV, which was developed by Zenith, LG’s U.S. research and development lab.

CEA’s Vice President of Technology and Standards Brian Markwalter said, “From supporting development of the mobile ATSC standard to outreach and education, CEA has taken a leading role in promoting mobile DTV. As more products are available in more markets, we are pleased that the major stakeholders are utilizing this critical interoperability checkpoint. We are excited to participate as this technology truly takes off this year.”

This event expanded on the success of CEA’s first ATSC Mobile DTV PlugFest last December and hosted 19 companies and 38 participants (up from 15 and 28 respectively). The PlugFest utilized six independently developed transmission systems to test against several receiver systems that consumers will buy as the ATSC Mobile DTV service rolls out in U.S. cities beginning in 2010.

The participating companies in PlugFest2 included: Acrodyne Services, ArcSoft Inc., Axcera, Axel Technologies, BnCom, DTVinteractive Co., Ltd, Elgato Systems, Expway, GMIT GmbH, Harmonic Inc., Harris Corp., JVC-Kenwood, Linear Industries, Rohde & Schwarz, Roundbox Inc., Thomson Grass Valley, Triveni Digital, Zenith/LG Electronics and more.

The ATSC Mobile DTV standard was initiated with a call for proposals in 2007 and culminated in final approval on Oct. 15, 2009. ATSC developed the Mobile DTV standard, while the Open Mobile Video Coalition and consumer electronics manufacturers worked through a CEA special interest group to move the technology from concept to standard to working products.

CEA leads technology manufacturers in fostering CE industry growth by developing industry standards and technical specifications that enable new products to come to market and encourage interoperability with existing devices. CEA maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and flexible standards making body and has earned ANSI accreditation. Through more than 70 committees, subcommittees, and working groups, the CEA Technology and Standards program provides a unique and efficient forum where technical professionals throughout the industry develop a unified technology roadmap and address technical issues critical to CE industry growth. For information about CEA Technology and Standards, visit www.CE.org/standards.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $165 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• EHX Spring 2010
  March 24-27, 2010, Orlando, FL
• CES on the Hill
  April 20-21, 2010, Washington, DC
• Digital Patriots Dinner
  April 21, 2010, Washington, DC
• LA Games Conference
  April 29, 2010, Los Angeles, CA
• CEA Line Shows
  June 22-23, 2010, New York, NY
• 2010 SINOCES
  July 8-11, 2010, Qingdao, China
• 2010 CEA Industry Forum
  October 17-20, 2010, San Francisco, CA
• i-stage
  October 18, 2010, San Francisco, CA

• Digital Hollywood Fall
  October 18-21, 2010, Santa Monica, CA

• CES New York Press Preview featuring CES Unveiled @ NY
  November 9, 2010, New York, NY

• Future of Television East
  November 19, 2010, New York, NY

• 2011 International CES
  January 6-9, 2011, Las Vegas, NV

The ability to access TV on a smartphone, laptop or in a car will provide “a renaissance for over-the-air broadcast TV,” Wharton says (

The DTV Mobile technology – stations have installed equipment at a cost of as much as $150,000 – allows for new portable televisions, as well as smartphones and laptops with special adapters, to receive the new digital TV signals. The new devices, becoming available in April, include a TV-DVD player from LG; a palm-sized device from Valups which retransmits a mobile signal to a smartphone or iPod via Wi-Fi; PC dongles and set-top boxes for cars from iMovee; and an iPhone/iPod mobile TV cradle from Cydle, The New York Times reports.

The potential for mobile TV for broadcasters is that it would increase viewership from an on-the-go audience – TV viewing has slipped 25% in the last 10 years – and allow them to charge more for ads. And if mobile TV takes off among viewers, broadcasters could add specialty channels such as sports and weather, creating new advertising opportunities.

Mobile TV Vs. FLO

Mobile TV, known for now by the clunky name ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) Mobile DTV Standard, could prove to be a challenge to FLO TV, Qualcomm’s subscription service that offers programming from the Big 4 broadcast nets as well as Comedy Central, ESPN and others. FLO TV is available via a compatible smartphone or a special receiver; users pay $150 a year for a subscription to the service.

FLO TV believes it will be able to sell its services as an add-on to mobile TV. “There could be a ‘Best of FLO TV Channel’ that we’d sell bundled with free digital channels,” Alice Kim, svp of strategy, is quoted as saying.

FLO TV Enhancements Unveiled

Qualcomm unveiled new mobile TV apps for smart books this week in a move that will improve the viewing experience, the company says. The apps marry video with features such as Twitter feeds, news updates or sports statistics, the San Diego Union Tribune reports. For example, a viewer could watch a sporting event while simultaneously receive real-time stats and communicating with other sports fans.

Other smart-book applications include a real-time web feed, personalized by location, which offers local news, traffic and weather.

TV for Cell Phones: Yea or Nay?

Wall Street has been slow to get excited about FLO TV for cell phones, in part because it is hampered by the price, as consumers seem hesitant to shell out money for the pricey subscription fee.

Another obstacle is the small phone screen. Qualcomm is attempting to solve that problem by making the service available on a broader range of devices, like the FLO-powered handheld it announced last fall.

But the broadcasters behind digital mobile TV are not convinced the small screen of a cell phone is a turn-off, and are eager to see their service developed for cell phones. Samsung Electronics is currently testing mobile TV in a modified cell phone to discover whether the technology offers a strong business case for wireless carriers.

Article Source: http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/entry/48879/mobile-tv-debuts-in-april-with-30-broadcast-stations/

“Younger generations want programming on the go,” said Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters. “To access TV on a cellphone, on a laptop or in the car is a game changer for local broadcasters. It will provide a renaissance for over-the-air broadcast TV.”

If enough people watch using the mobile TV technology, known, for lack of a more marketable name, as “ATSC Mobile DTV Standard,” local stations will be able to charge more for commercials and increase their revenue.

Getting a signal on a portable TV was not always a challenge. When analog television was the nation’s standard, a small set could pick up a signal at the ballpark, at the beach or in the car, though viewers often put up with a fuzzy, ghost-filled image.

But digital TV, the standard that went into effect last year, was developed for stationary televisions.

The mobile devices must catch a special signal, a slice of the broadcast frequency, and software processes it to display a clear picture on the go.

The technology will be used on new portable televisions with up to 10-inch screens, and smartphones and laptops with special adapters will also receive the signals. The devices must be within about 60 miles of a broadcast tower for a picture as clear as the television at home.

The first devices will become available in April. They include a $249 TV-DVD player from LG; a $120 device the size of a cigarette box from Valups, a Korean set-top box maker, that retransmits a mobile signal to an iPhone, iPod or BlackBerry over Wi-Fi; PC dongles and set-top boxes for automobiles from iMovee; and a $149 iPhone/iPod mobile TV cradle from Cydle.

Once the signals are switched on and the devices gain in popularity, broadcasters may add specialty channels like sports and weather, offering more revenue opportunities.

The Mobile DTV standard also allows for two-way communication. When viewing an ad, a viewer may push a button to see more information or have it sent by e-mail. The system can also be used for voting, polling and audience measurement.

Mobile TV devices with GPS function could also feed location-specific ads so that, for example, an ad for a restaurant would appear only to someone nearby.

If Mobile DTV proves popular, it could threaten FLO TV, a subscription service developed by Qualcomm that offers programming from the four major commercial broadcast networks and Comedy Central, ESPN and others. To watch, subscribers must buy a $200 receiver or a compatible smartphone and pay $150 for a year’s subscription, or $200 for two years.

“Free mobile digital TV will be devastating to what is already a very small market for FLO TV,” said Richard Doherty, an analyst with the Envisioneering Group.

But FLO TV does not see it that way. It expects to sell its services as a premium add-on, much the way that consumers watch free TV and pay for cable services.

“There could be a ‘Best of FLO TV Channel’ that we’d sell bundled with free digital channels,” said Alice Kim, the company’s senior vice president of strategy.

Because FLO is aimed at the smartphone market, the broadcasters behind the mobile DTV effort are eager to see their service developed for cellphones, too. Samsung Electronics, one of the world’s largest makers of cellphones, is testing mobile TV in a modified Moment cellphone model to learn if the technology is a good business opportunity for wireless carriers.

“People don’t want to carry a separate video player,” said John Godfrey, vice president for government and public affairs at Samsung Electronics. “A mobile phone is the one essential device for consumers.”

Source: NYTimes http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/business/media/15mobile.html?scp=1&sq=mobile%20dtv&st=cse

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