Mobile Digital TV’s, including full HD models, are set to take off around the world as several vendors get ready to launch new models however one stumbling block in Australia is the allocation of spectrum by the Federal Government and the adoption of a mobile TV standard.
Mobile Digital TV’s, including full HD models, are set to take off around the world as several vendors get ready to launch new models however one stumbling block in Australia is the allocation of spectrum by the Federal Government and the adoption of a mobile TV standard.
In the USA where several new mobile TV models are being rolled out the ATSC Mobile DTV standard has been adopted. In Australia there are two standards being considered according to Tim O Keefe of the Australian Digital Suppliers Industry Forum, they include Qualcomm’s MediaFLO which is a “proprietary solution” and the European offering DVB-H.
According to several sources the European DVB-H standard is favoured for Australia as long as spectrum is made available over VHF and UHF because of the location of Australia’s population around capital cities.
The European developed DVB-H, is specifically designed to deliver broadcast services to battery-powered handheld receivers including TV’s, notebooks and netbooks as well as Smartphones, the DVB-SH specification is designed to enable the delivery of mobile TV services in S-band over hybrid satellite or terrestrial networks. The DVB-IPDC systems layer specifications cover such aspects as Electronic Service Guides, Content Download Protocols and Service Purchase and Protection.
Last week in Australia the Laser Corporation launched several portable TV’s including models with memory, an electronic program guide and a built in PVR.
Among the vendors set to enter the market in 2010 is LG, who last week showed off a new range of MDT models including a “combo” model that also plays a DVD.
The new standard will allow for the live streaming of digital TV to portables via the same digital spectrum as local TV stations who are now putting to air HD programming in Australia.
Currently LG is mass-producing semiconductor chips for use in LG and other portable TV products.
Other Mobile DTV products expected early in 2010 from various suppliers include PC dongles, smartphone accessories and in-car products.
According to Tim O Keefe the big issue for Australia is the allocation of spectrum “It is important that the Federal Government allocates spectrum for mobile TV sooner than later. It is also important because of the geographic location of over 60% of Australia’s population that the mobile service is delivered over both VHF and UHF. We should get a direction in the next few weeks and once this decision is made several vendors will launch new technology that takes advantage of the services available on the spectrum”.
