ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV Gaining Momentum

Posted on April 2, 2012 in ATSC News

Anne Schelle, Executive Director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition

The ability to “go mobile” with ATSC broadcasting led to the development and adoption of the ATSC’s A/153 mobile DTV standard, which is gaining momentum with both broadcasters and device manufacturers.  Anne Schelle, Executive Director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition, answers key questions about the current state of Mobile DTV:

Q:  What new Mobile DTV products did visitors to CES in January see?

A:  We had a great show in January, with Mobile DTV devices now in the works on multiple platforms – including mobile phones, iPad accessory receivers, portable TV products, and receivers for the car.  More than 120 local TV stations are now transmitting with the A/153 Mobile DTV standard, including many who are taking advantage of the standard’s ability to enhance audience measurement.

Q:  There’s a lot of talk about broadcast spectrum.  How does Mobile DTV fit into the discussions?

A:  Mobile DTV is built on the existing backbone of digital TV transmission, with the potential of reaching millions of viewers with a single broadcast that can be received by an unlimited number of devices in a local market.  Those are important advantages over other methods of receiving and  viewing content, such as streaming everything over a data connection.  So Mobile DTV is a very spectrum-efficient technology.

Q:  What Mobile DTV presence can we expect to see at the 2012 NAB Show?

A:  The OMVC is proud to again bring together the key players who are doing what needs to be done to make Mobile DTV a ubiquitous service.

You’ll find the latest Mobile DTV services, products, and demonstrations at the Mobile DTV Pavilion in the North Hall (N4436), which is adjacent to the ATSC TechZone at the LVH hotel walkway.

Our exhibitors include Mobile Content Venture (with their Dyle Mobile TV service and related devices), the Mobile500 Alliance (demonstrating their iPad adapter), mobile DTV pioneer LG Electronics (with a demonstration of the proposed Mobile Emergency Alert System), chipmaker Siano, and device manufacturers DTVInteractive and Crestech.

Posted in ATSC News