MDTV Review

Mobile DTV at CES 2012

Jason F — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:58:42 +0000

January is upon us and the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is right around the corner. Hosted in Las Vegas, the international trade show has always been a place to see new product releases from the largest and most popular technology companies in the world.

For Mobile DTV fans, CES 2012 will feature 10 exhibitors this year with ATSC-M/H products and/or services. With help from sponsorship from the Open Mobile Video Coalition, the Mobile DTV TechZone booths will be placed in the LVCC, Central Hall area. Exhibitors include: Crest Technology, Dyle Mobile TV, LG Electronics, MCV, Mobile500 Alliance, Mobile-EAS, Samsung Telecommunications America, Siano Mobile Silicon, Triveni Digital, and Trust Authority.

More information on Mobile DTV at CES 2012:

Mobile DTV TechZone CES Webpage

Mobile DTV TechZone Exhibitors CES Webpage

U.S. Broadcasters Form Mobile500 Alliance

Jason F — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:17:07 +0000

Mobile DTV’ers will be happy to hear that a new alliance was formed earlier this month. Although the coalition only represents 30 broadcast companies, the alliance forms a total of 346 full-power television broadcast stations which will help bring mobile digital television to over 90% of the U.S. population.

The Mobile500 Alliance is an open, inclusive alliance organization, and in fact, just days before the press release, two dozen broadcasters had signed on to the Mobile500 Alliance….so one would assume that we’ll see more broadcasters hop on board before Mobile DTV’s nationwide rollout.

You can learn more about the Mobile 500 Alliance at their website: www.mobile500alliance.com

Would spectrum grab by FCC prevent Mobile DTV deployment?

Jason F — Tue, 18 May 2010 01:21:49 +0000

Would the FCC Broadband Plan prevent over-the-air broadcaster’s from deploying Mobile DTV (MDTV)? Not so, says FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

“Under the incentive auction plan, broadcasters will be able to provide mobile DTV, both licensees that choose to retain all 6 Megahertz, and those that choose to share,”

Genachowski addressed many concerns by broadcasters last month at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters Show; including the “voluntary” spectrum auction in which broadcasters could participate in by “choice”.

The auction is part of a five-year plan for spectrum reclamation and allocation to wireless companies, so that they may continue to offer wireless services for mobile users with products such as smart phones, netbooks, and laptops. The FCC believes that this action (along with others involved with the Broadband Plan), would help resolve the looming crisis for wireless companies.

Videos of Mobile DTV surface on YouTube

Jason F — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:01:47 +0000

As Mobile DTV testing begins in select markets, users of those devices have already begun uploading videos to YouTube.

Here we see a mobile dtv tester with a MDTV dongle plugged into a netbook while driving around in Orlando, Florida. Note the consistently clear reception while driving around in a rain storm.

In this second video, the same user (JDTV Clips) gives some details of his antenna (small horizontal loop antenna) setup along with signal strength readings.

Official MDTV Release Date?

Although we’ve seen Mobile DTV test videos at CES, NAB, and YouTube, the Open Mobile Video Coalition has not released an official on-line date for mobile DTV yet. MDTVReview.com has yet to find any MDTV product release dates as well.

Mobile DTV demonstrated at CES 2010

Datacasting for Mobile DTV (MDTV)

Jason F — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:08:42 +0000

Datacasting is the broadcasting of data over Mobile DTV signals which can be presented as live data and/or graphics content and received on a device outfitted with a MDTV tuner.

It should also be noted that Datacasting information can be completely unrelated to programming it is carried with, much like PSIP information broadcasted over DTV airwaves for electronic programs guides.

Datacasting can be used for transmitting data such as live local traffic, up-to-the-minute detailed weather maps, sports scores, and stock or financial information.

Last Updated: 3-8-2010
Source: Open Mobile Video Coalition

What is Live Audio for Mobile DTV (MDTV)?

What is Live Audio for Mobile DTV (MDTV)?

Jason F — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:27:46 +0000

With the new ATSC-M/H Mobile DTV standard, broadcasters will have the option to transmit Live Audio to consumers which is an audio only service. Such broadcasts can be used to provide consumers with news and sports broadcasts, weather updates, music, and emergency information.

Use of Live Audio services will provide content to consumers while using less spectrum compared to a full mobile dtv broadcast with picture and sound.

Advanced: Data streams for Live Audio are expected to range between 48kps and 100kps.

Last Updated: 3-8-2010
Source: Open Mobile Video Coalition

Broadcast and Mobile DTV News Around the Net: March 2010 Edition

Jason F — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:13:32 +0000

Last Updated: 3-1-10

March 1st, 2010
FCC thinks broadcast spectrum has, “a massive amount of unlocked value” for wireless spectrum
Source: BroadcastEngineering.com
FCC chairman, Julius Genachowski, Julius Genachowski, recently commented on why some of the TV broadcast spectrum should be considered for use by the wireless spectrum.

“a massive amount of unlocked value”

“About 300MHz of spectrum have been set aside for broadcast TV,”

“In markets with less than 1 million people, only 36MHz are typically used for broadcasting. In cities with more than 1 million people, on average about 100MHz are used. Even in our very largest cities, at most only about 150MHz out of 300MHz are used.”

The FCC recently proposed a voluntary plan for broadcasters to give up some of their spectrum with the benefit of receiving compensation, but the National Association of Broadcasters have claimed that the recent rollout of mobile digital television, MDTV, will utilize some of the unused spectrum.

Mobile DTV News: Feb 2010 Edition

Jason F — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:43:06 +0000

Last Updated: 2-23-10

On Feb 14, Eric Taub from The New York times penned a smashing piece on Mobile DTV titled, “Local TV for Devices on the Move”.

Notable quotes,

….30 stations in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington have installed the necessary equipment, at a cost of $75,000 to $150,000.

In reference to costs for each station to add Mobile DTV broadcast technology to their existing TV towers.

Seems like a small invesment for broadcasters with a big payoff potential, and this comes at a time when local stations are losing out on content distribution rights to Internet TV (ie: Hulu).

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.

Devices must be within 60 miles or less to receive a signal? That number seems a bit exaggerated; guess will wait and see what innitial results will show for mobile DTV tests over the next few months.

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.

Music to my hears….

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 DTV technology will make accesibility possible between consumer and TV broadcaster which in turn will also bring more profitability and support for the MDTV platform.

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.

I’m sure there is enough room for both mobile tv technologies to exist and as long as both technologies survive, competition between Mobile DTV and FLO TV will be beneficial consumers.

Be sure to check out the full New York Times article at: Local TV for Devices on the Move

Guide to Mobile DTV

Jason F — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:33:33 +0000

Welcome to our official Mobile DTV Guide.

With “MDTV” being a key component this year at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, we felt it was necessary to compare it to other mobile TV technologies already available to the public.

	ATSC Mobile TV(Mobile TV w/ digital tuner)	MDTV(Mobile DTV, ATSC M/H)	FLO TV(MediaFLO)	MobiTV
Free or Pay?	Free	Free	Pay, subscriptions to FLO TV range from $9 to $15 /month depending on the	Pay, starting at $9.99
About	Expected Arrival: Available nowCapable of the highest viewing resolution. With an ATSC handheld device, you can watch the same over-the-air programming that’s broadcasted to your home television set.Drawbacks: With an ATSC Mobile TV device, you will not be able to receive television signals when traveling above 5 miles per hour. ATSC handhelds with built-in antennas may suffer from poor reception if device is further than 15 miles from broadcast towers. Battery Life: Most ATSC handheld TV with built-in rechargeable batteries are rated between 90 minutes and 150 minutes worth of television viewing time.	Expected Arrival: 2nd Quarter 2010MDTV allows you to receive digital broadcast signals while travelling faster than 5 miles per hour. Some devices are actually capable of receive broadcasts at up to 180 mph.Drawbacks: Too soon to tell. MDTV cell phones and handhelds will probably come with a small built-in antenna which may not be large enough for consumers who live further than 15 miles from broadcast towers. More: Open Mobile Video Coalition	Drawbacks: Only offered through AT&T and Verizon cell networks. Limited selection of FLO TV enabled devices. AT&T currently shows 2.Expected Arrival: Available nowBattery life: rated at 5 hours while watching TV or 300 hours of standby.	MobiTV is an application which can be downloaded to cell phones on Alltel, Cingular, Sprint carriers.It receives streaming television programming via 3G internet service.Resolution has been reported as less than satisfactory and 3G speeds aren’t exactly fast enough to support higher resolutions in the future.
Devices	Handheld TVs, USB Device for Computer	Cell Phone, Handheld TVs, USB Device for Computer, Navigation Units	Handheld TVs, More products coming soon	Cell Phones
Coverage	Great coverage.ATSC Mobile DTV devices receive the same over-the-air signal that your home television set uses. If you use a small indoor antenna for your TV at home, chances are you will be able to receive signals on the small built-in antenna on your ATSC Mobile device.	Limited coverage More: When information becomes available, MDTV Review will update.	Limited coverage. See the map below and input your home address to see if FLO TV service is available in your area.More:FLO TV Coverage Map	Great Coverage based on your cellular data reception.
How many channles	ATSC TVs should in theory receive the same amount of channels that your home television set receives over-the-air.	Too soon too tell.	19 Channels.Current list of networks on FLO TV include: 2 FLO, ABC Mobile, Adult Swim, CBS Mobile, CNBC, CNN Live Mobile, Comedy Central, Crackle, Disney Channel, ESPN Mobile TV, Food Network, Fox Mobile, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, MTV, MTV TR3s, NBC 2Go, Nickelodeon, and TLC.More: FLO TV Program Guide FLO TV Channel Lineup	Comedy Central \| MTV Mobile \| Nickelodeon \| SpikeTV \| TeenNick \| MTV Tr3s \| CMT \| Atom Films \| VH1 Mobile \| Logo \| GameTrailers \| Animal Planet \| Anim8 \| ATAKU \| BFF \| Bombones \| Chaos Extreme \| CNBC \| Comedy Time \| Discovery \| Double Z Country \| Entertainment Tonight \| ESPN Mobile TV \| FOX Business \| MSNBC \| Oxygen (Oh!) \| Pachanga Urbana \| R&B Jamz \| Ritmo Caliente \| Shake it \| The Mic Hip Hop \| The Weather Channel \| TLC \| ToonWorld TV Classics \| Top Ten \| Totally 80s-90s \| V40 Top Hits \| Full List of MobiTV Channels at MobiTV Website.

What is MDTV?

Will MDTV support Closed Captioning?

Jason F — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:26:27 +0000

Yes according to a recent blog post by Jamie Berke’s deafness blog at about.com but not without caveat. She cites a recently published document, “OMVC Mobile TV Use Cases” by the Open Mobile Video Coalition, and questions whether or not Closed Captioning will be utilized by manufactures of MDTV sets and broadcasters.

Our question at MDTV Review is: Will Government Legislators regulate this new broadcast technology for deaf viewers or will it be left up for business to decide?