DigitalTv -- Engadget Mobile

DigitalTv posts

Samsung develops first chip for US mobile digital TV transmission, provides no release date

by Darren Murph posted Oct 19th 2009 @ 9:33AM

Mmm, nothing like a pinch of predictability to wake us in the morning. Just days after the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) finally announced that a North American mobile DTV standard was struck, Samsung has jumped in with what it's calling the planet's first single chip solution designed to handle those very transmissions. All we're told is that the solution combines RF and "digital chip components" into one 65 nanometer chip, making it ideal for smaller devices such as smartphones, car-mounted televisions and portable media players. Of course, Sammy doesn't even bother to mention a mass production date, so we're guessing we all just rise awkwardly and start a roaring slow clap to celebrate the accomplishment.

FLO TV to add 39 markets following DTV transition

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 10th 2009 @ 7:02PM

If we're using availability across AT&T's and Verizon's lineups as a benchmark, we'd venture to guess that FLO isn't doing terribly well -- but be that as it may, the Qualcomm subsidiary is rearing to expand its coverage just as soon as the remainder of the nation's analog television stations go dark on June 12. In fact, they're really, really serious about it: 15 new markets will go live the moment the analog signals turn off, adding Boston, Houston, Miami, and others, while another 24 will tack on by the end of the year. Existing live markets like Chicago and New York will enjoy expanded coverage, too, but the question remains -- where's FLO's meal ticket? More hardware helps, but it might ultimately take a transition to free services before mobile TV takes off.

Qualcomm could suffer from digital TV transition delay

by Darren Murph posted Jan 29th 2009 @ 4:51PM

We're honestly beginning to wonder: can Qualcomm catch a break? Between the years of fighting with Nokia and the absolutely abysmal MediaFLO adoption rate, we're seriously beginning to consider that a Qualcomm curse isn't too far from the realm of possibility. With the announcement this week that the impending digital TV transition could be pushed from late February to June 12th (though it looks as if the House has halted those plans for now), Qualcomm has begun to wail. In essence, this delay -- should it still go down -- will force the firm to continue paying fees to broadcasters in order for it to have almost immediate access to vacated analog waves as soon as the cutover takes place. The tab? COO Len Lauer says it'll be in the "tens of millions of dollars," and that's not counting lost revenue that it was surely expecting to pick up between March and June. Here's hoping one of those "breaks" finally catches up with it here.

Verizon CEO joins AT&T in backing digital TV delay -- as long as it's short

by Richard Lawler posted Jan 19th 2009 @ 6:32PM

After initially opposing the Obama administration / Jay Rockefeller digital TV delay -- pushing the analog TV shutoff date back from February 17 to June 12 -- Verizon CEO Ivan Seiderberg has jumped on board with competitor AT&T in support of the plan. Considering Verizon just dropped $9.63 billion on the soon / not-so-soon to be vacated airwaves for its 4G wireless rollout this is an interesting position to take, but it appears that as long as the delay is a mere 115 days he can join AT&T ($7 billion or so invested) in waiting for the DTV converter coupon program to work itself out. Of course, if anyone wants to take advantage of the extra time to subscribe to FiOS or U-verse, we're sure that wouldn't be problem either.

Raleigh, NC's WRAL testing MPH mobile DTV system

by Darren Murph posted Jul 23rd 2008 @ 10:45PM

Although Raleigh, North Carolina is set to become one of the first DVB-SH test markets in America, WRAL is already testing out yet another standard. The station known nationwide for taking its local newscasts to the world of HD while everyone else sat and moped in their SD control rooms is currently teaming with CBC in order to test out the ATSC-compatible MPH mobile television transmission system. As we've seen before, the system enables "local broadcasters to deliver digital television to mobile devices including cellphones, laptops and personal media players," all while moving quickly in vehicles, hoverboards, rocket-powered scooters -- you name it. There's no word on what exactly will happen once the trials conclude, but we'll be keeping an ear to the ground just in case it's something big.

[Via BroadcastingCable]

Nokia, Motorola to play nice on mobile TV

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 13th 2006 @ 12:37PM

Mobile TV may not be off to the blazing start some had hoped, but it seems like only good things can happen when the world's #1 and #2 handset manufacturers get together to push it. Nokia and Motorola have announced an agreement to collaborate on DVB-H interoperability, lessening the burden on carriers trying to take mobile TV networks live and (hopefully) hastening wide-scale adaptation. The agreement may be seen as a blow for Qualcomm, which peddles the rival MediaFLO tech, but even they've managed to hedge their bets in the event the tide turns solidly against them. Either way, this all means nothing until devices are in consumers' hands and the market is sustainable; Modeo, we await your move.

Sharp's W-ZERO3[es] / WS007SH: WinMo 5 Pocket PC hotness, redefined

by Thomas Ricker posted Jul 4th 2006 @ 9:02AM

While we loved the specs on Sharp's W-ZERO3 / WS003SH, let's just say that its plastic, chub of a case was seriously short on swank. Now check the W-ZERO3 [es] / WS007SH hotness which our brethren at Engadget Japan got the jump on this AM. Developed under that same partnership with Sharp, Willcom, and Microsoft, the new WS007SH variant keeps the Pocket PC flavor of Windows Mobile 5.0 and 416MHz Intel PXA 270 proc but brings a second, standard phone keypad to the mini, sliding QWERTY. They even managed to squeeze that same VGA resolution into a smaller, 2.8-inch screen while keeping the best of the rest: 128MB flash (60MB allocated to the user) and 64MB of SDRAM, miniSD expansion, USB, and 1.3 megapixel cam. All this and she still manages to slim-down from 70 x 130 x 26-millimeters and 220-grams to 56 x 135 x 21-millimeters and 175-grams. Ok, no WiFi or Bluetooth yet folks, but these, like a Japanese OneSeg expansion pack for digital TV on the go are currently under development and will certainly increase the bulk. Available only in Japan starting July 27th for ¥29,800/¥36,800 (or about $260/$321) with/without a one-year contract. Many more pics, including the OneSeg TV expansion after the break.

[Via Engadget Japan]

Continue reading Sharp's W-ZERO3[es] / WS007SH: WinMo 5 Pocket PC hotness, redefined

Nokia's N92 DVB-H handset in World Cup trial

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 13th 2006 @ 9:26AM

Although announced way back in November, Nokia's flagship N92 DVB-H phone still isn't shipping. Of course, that hasn't kept it from making the occasional appearance at DVB-H pilots across Europe. And with Germany (and the world) now fully consumed by the World Cup, yet another German DVB-H pilot project has launched with local operators E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile, and Vodaphone pumping out that mobile digital feed. The pilot consists of 14 television channels (and six radio) broadcasting live matches and other programming to "guests" using a variety of DVB-H handsets (presumably from LG, Samsung and maybe even BenQ-Siemens), including the N92. The pilot is being held in the largest German cities and will run until August 31st, except in Munich where it ends on July 31 allowing ample time to prepare for beer drinking season. And in case you're wondering, the N92 is expected to hit Europe mid-summer for an unsubsidized price of €600 ($758); beaucoup bucks for a service offering in trial-mode everywhere 'cept Finland and maybe Italy.

[Via Mobiledia]

FCC approves Samsung SGH-P900 T-DMB phone

by Thomas Ricker posted May 15th 2006 @ 8:30AM

Setting the stage for some good 'ol mobile TV squinting here in The States, the FCC just approved Samsung's SGH-P900 T-DMB handset. Announced back in February for the European market, the P900 represents Sammy's first DMB handset push outside Korea and sports tri-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE, a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth, and MicroSD slot. But what makes this phone notable is support for digital mobile TV sure to slake that 2.2-inch mobile TV viewin' jones you may or may not be suffering. Now all that remains is for someone to launch a T-DMB service 'round these parts. Hello...anybody there, XM...anyone? [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Unwired View]