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dvb posts

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

by Darren Murph posted Oct 19th 2009 at 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.

US Mobile DTV standard finally approved

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 16th 2009 at 6:33PM

Well freaking finally. The Advanced Television System Committee just approved the Mobile DTV standard, meaning we're finally about to see for-real mobile television in the US. LG and Samsung have already made gear for the new standard, and the tech will be demoed later today before a rollout... sometime. Still, it's heartening news to hear that it's finally ready -- over 800 stations are signed up to broadcast the new signal, which makes use of existing 6MHz airwaves to do everything from straight TV to video-on-demand and targeted advertising. Cool, so now we're what, just a billion years behind DVB adoption?

ASUS dabbles in HDTV arena with 1080p TV Monitor T1 series

by Darren Murph posted Jul 14th 2009 at 3:29PM

It's not that ASUS hasn't dipped its toes in HDTV waters before (by the way, whatever happened to that altogether enticing Eee TV?), but we dare say that the TV Monitor T1 is a fresh, if not unsurprising new direction for the company. Arriving in 22- (22T1E), 24- (24T1E) and 27-inch (27T1E) sizes, this trio of sets features a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) panel, a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, 300 nits of brightness, five millisecond response time, built-in TV tuners (for the UK market) and a pair of seven-watt speakers. As for sockets, you'll find VGA, HDMI (x2), component, composite, S-Video and even a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack. Per usual, ASUS is refusing to dole out pricing and release date information, but hopefully it won't be long before Britons can indulge (and North Americans are notified of an NTSC-capable version).

Human-Rh digiframe packs AMOLED panel, mobile TV tuner

by Darren Murph posted May 26th 2009 at 9:29AM

We always figured the digital photo frame market would have to grow up one day, and we're thrilled to know that day is coming soon. Over in Korea, Human-Rh has apparently showcased a couple of new frames that not only up the ante in terms of panel quality but also toss in a much-needed extra: mobile TV. The 7.6-inch HDPF-760D steals the show with a gorgeous AMOLED display and a built-in DMB tuner; the 8-inch HDPF-800D sticks with the traditional LCD, but it's available with a variety of tuners (1seg, T-DMB, DVB-T and CMMB) for regions around the globe. Naturally, both frames still do their basic duties of playing back slideshows, but the built-in WiFi also enables them to display information from internet-connected widgets. We're told that these arrive with 2GB of integrated memory, a multicard slot and a USB port, but mum's the word on pricing and release. Vid's after the break.

[Via OLED-Display]

Continue reading Human-Rh digiframe packs AMOLED panel, mobile TV tuner

Sony introduces BRAVIA V4500 LCD HDTVs in Europe

by Darren Murph posted May 5th 2008 at 10:26AM

Look out world, er, Europe, as Sony is debuting a new trio of LCD HDTVs in your neck of the woods. The BRAVIA V4500 line consists of a 26-, 32- and 37-inch model, each of which posses a WXGA (1,360 x 768) panel and the company's own BRAVIA ENGINE 2 technology. You'll also find a 33,000:1 contrast ratio on the smaller two, and the whole lot packs 178-degree viewing angles, BRAVIA Sync and a built-in HD tuner for snagging DVB-T / DVB-C signals where available. There's also the Picture Frame Mode for turning your set into a digital art canvas (USB port included for image viewing), and the three HDMI inputs ensure that your PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and hacked up Atari Jaguar won't be fighting for sockets. Unfortunately, mum's the word on a price / release date.

Gallery: Sony introduces BRAVIA V4500 LCD HDTVs in Europe

DISH Networks teams with Alcatel-Lucent for DVB-SH trial in US

by Darren Murph posted Apr 24th 2008 at 4:49PM

Ah ha! So this is what DISH Network was planning on doing with its recently-purchased swath of spectrum. Just under two months after analysts pondered what the firm was thinking throwing out bids for a smidgen of bandwidth -- and not even a fortnight after the ICO G1 successfully launched in order to bring DVB-SH to America -- out comes the whole truth. The satcaster is teaming up with Alcatel-Lucent to test the Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite services to Handhelds technology right here in the US, with A-L providing the equipment, test tools and training. The evaluation will be taking place at a DISH facility in Atlanta from May until August, with the ultimate goal to "validate the performance and cost-efficiency of the DVB-SH standard." As expected, we're only given crumbs of information as to where this partnership may lead, but we should be much more clear on everything by the time the summer concludes.

Sony reveals healthy helping of new HDD / DVD recorders

by Darren Murph posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 3:16PM

We'll go ahead and nix some lingering excitement in the room: Sony's latest line of Hard Disk Drive DVD Recorders are aimed squarely at Europe. Now that we're clear on that, let us introduce to you the HX and HXD lines, which each posses four units that top out at 500GB. The RDR-HX680, HX780, HX980 and HX1080 all come ready to fetch analog broadcasts, while the RDR-HXD790, HXD890, HXD990 and HXD1090 also include a DVB-T digital tuner. The HDX crew can even be ordered with a CI slot, and the whole posse includes an HDMI port (1080p upscaling included), X-Pict Story, USB connectors, BRAVIA Sync and a dedicated SD HDD Handycam connection. Take a look in the read link for the full chart of specifications. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via T3]

Gallery: Sony reveals healthy helping of new HDD / DVD recorders

Samsung set to release YP-PB2 PMP in Korea

by Donald Melanson posted Apr 22nd 2008 at 11:57AM

Samsung's done pretty well for itself with its YP-P2 PMP, and it now looks to be set to bust out yet another upgrade to the player, although you likely won't be seeing this one outside of Korea. Helping to keep it close to Samsung's home base is the addition of not only a DAB radio tuner but, apparently, a DVB-T mobile TV tuner as well. Other than those two notable additions, however, the device appears to be unchanged from its previous incarnation, with it boasting the same 3-inch WQVGA display, built-in Bluetooth, black or white color options, and 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB capacity as before (no word on a 16GB model). There's also no word on a price or release date, but you can pretty safely expect to pay a tidy premium over the tuner-less models.

DVB-SH mobile TV trials to crank up in Italy

by Darren Murph posted Dec 14th 2007 at 4:02PM

Though it once appeared as if DVB-SH was headed for high times in Europe, DVB-H eventually won out as the nationwide standard, but that certainly doesn't mean other standards can't compete within the region. Reportedly, Alcatel-Lucent has agreed to launch the first trial of the technology in Italy with RAI and 3 Italia, and while DVB-SH would likely be more costly to implement due to its position in the spectrum, European telecoms are grasping for options to satisfy the growing desire for mobile TV. If all goes as planned, the trials will take place in Turin over the next few months, but it wasn't clear when Jane / John Doe would be called in to participate. Also of note, a cellphone provider has yet to be selected, but it sounds like Samsung and Sagem both made it onto the short list.

[Via mocoNews]

NT220 PMP does DVB-T, upgrades easily

by Conrad Quilty-Harper posted Sep 2nd 2007 at 4:25AM

Nothing too special here, just another no-name portable media player that happens to do DVB-T TV. Taiwan based Newtrend Electronics is the manufacturer of this NT220 7-inch LCD, 480x234 pixel display toting player with slots for CF, SD, MMC, MS, xD, and SMC cards -- just in case this wasn't enough of a hint, it doesn't come with any built-in storage. No pricing or availability as yet, unfortunately.

[Via PMPToday]

Sharp cranks out new XL2E and X20E AQUOS HDTVs

by Darren Murph posted Sep 1st 2007 at 11:13PM

Not wanting to be outdone by all those other guys loosing LCDs at IFA, Sharp has stepped up and unveiled two new lineups of AQUOS sets in Berlin. The XL2E series, which includes models 42-, 46-, and 52-inches in size, will all offer up 100Hz technology, be Full HD ready, and will even support 24p. Moreover, the trio will tout a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, a built-in DVB-T tuner (and an analog one, too), VGA input, integrated speakers, and three HDMI connectors to boot. As for the X20E series, you'll find 32-, 37-, 42-, 46-, and 52-inch flavors, all of which support 1080p24, feature three HDCP-compliant HDMI ports, and "a slot for CI cards to receive pay TV." The new AQUOS members are slated to land in Europe sometime before the year's end, but pricing details look to still be up in the air.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

Hands-on with the Philips PVD1075 portable DVB-T player

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 1st 2007 at 1:42PM

If you're in Europe or Asia (or anywhere that has DVB broadcasts, for that matter), and in the market for a portable DVB-T solution, we suppose you could do a lot worse than the Philips PVD1075; a sleek, skinny package which does a whole bunch of media playing. At a glance, the little guy doesn't seem like too much of a heavy hitter, and honestly, the screen didn't blow us away, but if this fits your lifestyle (and we're not sure what that lifestyle is), then perhaps you should take a much, much closer look -- like in our gallery, for instance.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Philips PVD1075 portable DVB-T player

Philips unveils DVB-T-equipped 19- / 32-inch FlatTV LCDs

by Darren Murph posted Aug 31st 2007 at 1:41AM

Philips certainly has been on a tear of late, and apparently, the company's LCD releases are still flowing in from IFA. The latest duo to hit the scene are the ivory-colored 19-inch 19PFL5602D and 32-inch 32PFL7602D FlatTVs, both of which feature an integrated DVB-T tuner and dual HDMI inputs. The larger of the two includes Pixel Plus 2 HD technology and Digital Natural Motion to tackle those judders, while the smaller sibling doesn't look to lose much outside of screen real estate. Sadly, mum's the word on price and availability, but all signs are pointing to a European-only release.

More details on Sony's new PlayTV

by Joshua Topolsky posted Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:21PM

The info is flying fast today as Sony's launches a multi-tiered attack on the entertainment community. Luckily, we've got some additional info on the just announced PlayTV TV tuner / DVR for the PS3, and we'd like to share it. The unit will apparently be coming to Europe "early in 2008" with other territories to follow (PAL only for now). The new box will feature two 1080p tuners, which utilize the European Digital Video Broadcasting system (DVB-T) -- which should dash any US hopes for the time being. The system will allow you to store recorded broadcasts on your PS3 drive, and also transcode and transfer the saved files to your PSP. Additionally, you'll be able to use the PSP's "Remote Play" feature to program and watch your PlayTV away from home. Sony reps also make the bold pronouncement that the PlayTV architecture will "never be out of date" due to automatic network updates from the company. We're gutted that the US gets no love from Sony on this one, but it's a good time to be a European PlayStation 3 fan, that's for sure.

Philips unveils 32-inch LCD with Perfect Pixel HD

by Darren Murph posted Aug 21st 2007 at 7:28PM

Philips fans eager for a taste of Perfect Pixel HD can now look forward to a 32-incher that sports the technology -- if you live in Europe, that is. For now, it seems that the recently introduced 32PFL9632D LCD will be holding it down exclusively across the pond, as that integrated DVB-T tuner won't do us American lads much good. Regardless, the panel also boasts a WXGA resolution, 100Hz Clear LCD technology, three-millisecond response time, two-channel active Ambilight, a USB port for photo slideshows, a trio of HDMI inputs, 550 cd/m2 brightness, and four built-in speakers to boot. Best of all, this one's available as we speak for £999 ($1,977).

[Via Messe-Berlin]