ATSC M/H Officially Approved

Mobile DTV Standard Approved - 2009-10-16 07:30:00 EDT | Broadcasting & Cable

- Trip

I'm dancing in my chair. Hooray!!!


October 16, 2009 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Samsung Electronics Develops the World’s First Single Chip for North American Mobile Digital TV Standard Approved Yesterday
Low cost, power efficient, single chip will be used to launch mobile broadcasting in North America

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in consumer electronics, telecommunications and information technology, today announced that it has successfully developed the world’s first single chip compatible with the newly approved North American mobile digital TV broadcasting standard.

Samsung’s latest chip innovation combines the radio frequency (RF) and digital chip components into one single 65 nanometer (nm)-scale chip. Compared to traditional multiple-chip sets, the single chip provides makers of various mobile devices including mobile phones, car-mounted televisions and portable media players an optimal solution that is more compact, uses less power, and is more affordable.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) has been working towards standardizing mobile digital TV broadcasting utilizing the existing digital TV broadcasting spectrum and facilities since May 2007. After a membership vote that concluded yesterday, ATSC Mobile DTV was officially adopted as an ATSC standard.

“Prior to Samsung’s technical demonstration at the 2006 NAB Show, industry experts believed that the compatibility of mobile TV broadcasting technology with the existing ATSC broadcasting system was not possible. In early 2005, Samsung Electronics decided to apply significant resources to ATSC standardization,” said Mr. Byung Duck Cho, executive vice president of the Digital Media and Communications R&D Center of Samsung Electronics. “Samsung succeeded in ATSC Mobile DTV standardization through its dedication and support in cooperation with the ATSC, broadcasters, and other electronics manufacturers. Through this collaborative accomplishment, Samsung Electronics aims to advance its leadership in the North American mobile market with mobile TV.”

Over 70 broadcast stations have announced their support of this initiative and have agreed to broadcast on a trial basis across North America by the end of 2009. The goal is to prepare for formal broadcasting tests to North American consumers beginning in early 2010.

ATSC Mobile DTV makes live mobile broadcast TV possible by installing minimal additional equipment at existing TV transmitters while utilizing the same frequencies as current terrestrial digital TV broadcasting. ATSC Mobile DTV does not influence current DTV receivers even when operating in the same channels making it in-band compatible. It is widely considered as the best solution for mobile broadcast digital television in North America. Through mobile broadcasting, consumers will be able to access free content such as local news, emergency alerts, weather reports and entertainment as well as premium paid services.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com

I thought it had already been approved before? I guess this makes it official.

Does anybody know yet how the tuners and channels will be configured? For example, say I normally watch channel 005-1 and 005-2 locally on regular ATSC, will ATSC-M/H be a channel 005-3 then? Which ties in to the other part of my question, will the new devices have regular ATSC channels as well as ATSC-M/H channels?