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Samsung's latest 8K TVs will include 4K over-the-air tuners
Samsung's next wave of 8K TVs are likely to have numerous features to catch your eye, but one of the more important additions may be one of the simplest: an improvement to free broadcasts. The tech giant has revealed that its 2020 QLED 8K catalog will include ATSC 3.0 tuners with NEXTGEN TV to deliver over-the-air 4K programming, multi-channel object-based audio and "enhanced" content to US viewers. Your TV still won't be used to its fullest potential, but this beats having to pay for cable or streaming services to get a live TV picture beyond 1080p.
Plex Live TV and DVR launches for subscribers
Last fall Plex started beta testing a DVR feature for its popular media server setup, and now it's making the next big step by offering live TV and DVR for all Plex Pass subscribers. They will need to bring their own tuner(s), connected to a TV antenna or cable jack, but Plex will do the rest, providing the necessary guide data as a part of the Pass subscription if you live somewhere with DVB-T or ATSC (North America) broadcasts. . As of today, it not only supports more kinds of tuners, it's also ready to stream live TV to iOS or Android TV, with Android mobile devices and Apple TV next up.
Test run paves the way for over-the-air 4K TV
You may not have to pony up for a streaming video service (or any service, for that matter) to get 4K video on your TV in the future. GatesAir, LG and Zenith have started field-testing Futurecast, a system that promises to drag over-the-air TV into the modern era. Thanks to HEVC video compression as well as boosts to overall throughput, the technology can stuff both 4K and two mobile broadcasts into a relatively small 6MHz frequency range. With enough bandwidth, you'd only need a set of rabbit ears to watch at least a few basic channels in Ultra HD.
Hauppauge Broadway review
New ways to watch TV, we're always looking for 'em. New products for you to buy, companies are always trying to make 'em. The two aspirations converge with Hauppauge's latest product, Broadway. The idea here isn't exactly novel, but with few exceptions Sling Media has been left to dominate the placeshifting category. The Broadway picks up where Sling kicked off, adding WiFi and more interestingly, shedding the need for costly clients, instead using a built-in web server to access the live video streams. Interesting idea, sure, but is it actually useful and worth the $199 it demands? We hope to reveal just that, after you click through of course.
Hands-on with Dyle Mobile TV, broadcasting live to a handset near you (video)
Dyle couldn't have found a better showcase than CES to exhibit its next gem. It's only been a few days since we first heard that the joint venture between MetroPCS and the Mobile Content Venture would bear fruit in 2012, and, well, we're in Las Vegas and we've seen it take its first steps. Although live TV broadcasting to mobile devices couldn't exactly be considered cutting-edge, judging by our time with the handset, this is one of the greater implementations of the concept. The company tells us that the app is set to hit its beta stage within the next few months at no cost, but that might change depending on partners and networks. Speaking of partners, Samsung alongside the Metro carrier will be the first to have the chipset-embedded smartphones on the market -- yes, that means you won't actually see the circa 1990's antenna. Dyle's also partnered up with Belkin to bring the service past phones and onto tablets, however, unlike the Sammy-branded phone that's expected to use the chip, the tablets will be able to pick up the airwaves by doubling the headphones as a receiver. Jump past the break to see the mobile telecast in action.
LG's Mobile DTV tech used in Tweet-TV and emergency alert systems
Among other things, LG is broadening the capabilities of Mobile DTV here at CES, with a social media aspect in particular striking us as particularly helpful / wacky. Tweet-TV, as it's called, brings together public comments about specific broadcasts and retransmits them for all viewers to see. We're told that viewers engaged with Tweet-TV would be able to interact with program content and submit their comments on programs. The broadcaster consolidates the real-time comments and transmits those short messages with the video and audio, enabling a transparent conversational overlay; in essence, the Mobile DTV application enables viewers to carry on an open discussion of program content or reply to questions that could be part of an "audience quiz." The program's also being used to display pertinent information on digital signage, not to mention an M-EAS project that'll use Mobile DTV to get emergency alerts to those with compatible equipment. Head on past the break for the rest of the details -- sadly, there's no real information on how soon Mobile DTV will be spreading to your neck of the woods.
Belkin teams with Mobile Content Venture to bring Dyle Mobile TV to your phone, iPad (hands-on)
Hot on the heels of its agreement with MetroPCS, Mobile Content Venture (MCV) is now teaming up with Belkin. The duo will collaborate on new products and application designs for tech that will bring broadcast TV to 120 million existing devices -- and a plethora of new gadgetry, we'd surmise. Live programming will be enabled through MCV's Dyle Mobile TV service which gathers content from 15 major broadcast groups including Fox, NBC and ION Television, just to name a few. Product prototypes are said to be on display this week at CES, and further details on the partnership should be on the way as well. Update: We got some hands-on time with the setup at CES Unveiled, and spotted the digital TV watching software not only running on an unnamed MetroPCS handset, but on a Belkin dongle-equipped iPad as well. Check out our in-person pics in the gallery.
MetroPCS hooks up with the Mobile Content Venture for live TV on the go
The wireless-for-all carrier's been agreeing to all sorts of partnerships of late in an effort to keep its users content, the latest one being the tie-up with Mobile Content Venture that'll bring local broadcast TV live to your MetroPCS handset. The service, which is said to be coming later in the year, will be offered via a Dyle Mobile TV app, and the companies are guaranteeing that you'll be able to watch the content "right out of the box." There's 15 total broadcasters named in the deal, some of which are: FOX, ION Television, NBC, Telemundo and Univision (for all your novela needs). We've seen a plethora of mobile devices come and go since we first heard of the Mobile DTV promise, but they did say 2012 would be the year, and, well, here we are. A peek at the PR below tells us we'll see this in action next week at CES, so we'll let you know if it's as marvelous as it sounds.
FilmOn finds another way to put live TV on your mobile, but it's still awkward
FilmOn's TV streaming ambitions haven't exactly gone according to plan since it got into legal hot water with a bunch of not-so-minor broadcasters last year -- including CBS, FOX and plenty others. Until that dries off, the company wants to bring TV to your phone, tablet or laptop using an additional route: a portable ATSC tuner. It's shown off a receiver dongle that it claims can enable watching and recording of free-to-air shows on iOS, Android, PC and Mac, with an in-built five-hour battery and pass-through charging. The FilmOn AIR device will start shipping in February with a $95.95 standalone price tag, or $149.95 when packaged with a year's subscription to the main FilmOn service that streams 120 channels over the web -- well, for now at least.
ATSC commences 3DTV standard development, better get your glasses ready
The Advanced Television Systems Committee recently commenced development of a 3D broadcast TV standard which would let legacy devices to receive 3D signals without blowing their tiny electronic minds. In a year's time, it's planning to have a completed rulebook, allowing for 3D broadcasts with left- and right-eye views in a single channel, also enabling mobile and non-real time delivery -- meaning you've got one less device to replace when you decide to make the switch to 3D. Whilst many of these standards already exist (and are in use) the ATSC is now looking to get everyone in North America singing from the same sheet. Now's about the time to invest in some better glasses.
RCA's line of portable hybrid televisions now available
RCA announced these way back at CES, and it's now finally rolled out its new line of portable "hybrid" televisions, which are able to receive both Mobile DTV and standard digital TV signals. Those include in two different 3.5-inch models that run $119 and $159 (the latter includes an FM tuner and lithium ion battery back instead of AAs), as well as a 7-inch model that will set you back $179 -- somewhat curiously, those prices are all $10 higher than those originally announced. Those looking to fully round out the package can also snag a car kit that includes a charger, remote control and monopole antenna for $129. Full press release is after the break.
Hauppauge debuts Broadway live TV streamer for iPhones and iPads, WinTV-Aero-m receiver for PCs
It may look vaguely like an accessory to a late-80s PC that's sprouted antennas, but Hauppauge's new "Broadway" live TV streamer does have a few more modern tricks up its sleeve: it can stream live TV to your iPhone or iPad. That can be done over WiFi in your house or over the internet anywhere else, and the device packs a multi-format receiver that can tune in both digital cable TV channels and ATSC over-the-air broadcast channels (or analog TV, for that matter), which are all conveniently compressed for streaming. Alongside it, Hauppauge has also rolled out its new dual-format WinTV-Aero-m USB receiver for PCs (pictured after the break), which will let you receive Mobile Digital TV broadcasts designed for mobile TV reception, as well as high definition ATSC digital TV broadcasts. Look for it to be available soon for $69, while the Broadway streamer will be available in "about six weeks" for $199.
Philips crams ATSC M/H tuner into PD725 portable DVD player, intros PB9013 mobile Blu-ray player
In recent years, Philips has strayed somewhat from introducing products catering to the North American marketplace. We're thrilled to say that this year's spate of CES announcements signifies a stark turn from that approach. The most interesting release from the company during this year's blowout is probably the PS725 (shown above), a 7-inch portable DVD player that doubles as a mobile TV viewer. Before you bust out the yawn collector, you should know that Philips managed to stuff both an ATSC and an ATSC M/H tuner within, the latter of which just announced a major push into 20 major metropolitan markets back in November. The unit has an 800 x 480 resolution display, three hours of nonstop playback via a rechargeable Li-Polymer battery pack, a screen that swivels 180 degrees and a $299 price point. It'll ship in March, just as your FLO TV service keels over. In related news, the outfit is also outing a PB9013 portable Blu-ray player, which touts a 9-inch display, a battery good for three hours of enjoyment, a bundled mounting kit and an HDMI output. You'll also see this one ship in March, but with a $399 retail sticker. Outside of those two, we're told that the GeGear Muse MP4 player is now on track to ship in March, with the 8GB model going for $149, the 16GB edition for $179 and the high-end 32GB model for $229. For those out of the loop, it'll deliver a 3.2-inch HVGA touchpanel, an FM radio tuner, 720p movie support and compatibility with FLAC and APE lossless files. Closing things up, we've got the Fidelio DS8550 and DS9010 speaker docks. The former handles your iPod, iPhone and / or iPad, streams tunes over Bluetooth and touts a built-in, rechargeable battery; this guy's on sale now for $299. As for the latter? That one's expected to ship at the tail-end of March for $599, with the price premium netting you an aircraft quality aluminum enclosure, improved audio drivers and a proximity sensor to activate a backlit control panel. Bullet points after the break, per usual. %Gallery-112183%
RCA debuts new line of portable ATSC / Mobile DTV hybrid televisions
Mobile DTV is finally making inroads stateside, and now RCA has announced a new line of portable TVs that not only take advantage of the technology, but also throw in regular digital TV reception t'boot. The four devices include: 3.5-inch Hybrid Portable Television DMT335R (including a LED backlit LCD screen and both AC power and 4 hours of playback on AA batteries for an MSRP of $109), 3.5-inch Hybrid Portable Television DMT336R (same as above, with additional FM receiver and internal Lithium Polymer battery, for an MSRP of $149); 7-inch Hybrid Portable Television DMT270R (800 x 480 LCD screen with 500:1 contrast ratio, AC power and built-in Lithium Polymer battery, and more for $169), and a car tuner receiver DMT3BR, featuring a car charger, remote control, and more, for a suggested retail price $119. Psyched? We bet you are! Check out the gallery below or the PR after the break. %Gallery-112563%
Mobile DTV ready to roll out, upgrading 20 major metros to portable TV by 2012
Slowly but surely, the biggest US cities are catching up to the rest of the world -- just imagine, by this time next year, we might even have broadcast television beamed to our tablets and cell phones. That's because the Mobile Content Venture formed from twelve media giants in April has just promised to start upgrading TV stations to deliver Mobile DTV (aka ATSC-M/H) around the country, with the intent of reaching 20 major markets and a total of 40 percent of the US population by "late 2011." Each of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Tampa, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, Portland, Cincinnati, Greenville, West Palm Beach, Birmingham and Knoxville can expect to have a pair of ad-supported TV channels before long, assuming citizens are willing and able to pick up hardware with a old-school RF antenna sticking out -- and that whole "streaming" thing doesn't take off. PR after the break.
VIZIO's 7-inch portable VMB070 Razor LED TV now available
The first of the portable edge lit LED TVs from VIZIO that were announced at CES is now shipping, as the 7-inch VMB070 is available at the company's online store and Wal-mart stores everywhere. In case you've forgotten, it's still a 1-inch thick, 1 pound 800x480 resolution LCD screen with edge LED lighting that can tune into 1080i or 720p ATSC broadcasts through a flip up antenna, packs a battery with a claimed 3.5 hours of life and display video from a composite input or pictures via USB. You'll have to wait for the step-up 9- and 10-inch models if features like ATSC M/H tuning for viewing on the go or HDMI inputs are a necessity but with its $159 MSRP some cuts may be excusable to avoid running down your cellphone / laptop battery watching Slingboxed broadcasts at the tailgate party or out in the backyard on Saturdays and Sundays. %Gallery-102858%
DISH Network's DTVPal DVR bites the dust after a short, troubled life
It's only a few days shy of 13 months since we released our mixed review of DISH Network's DTVPal DVR, and yet Zatz Not Funny reports that DISH will no longer offer the niche recorder. While it's not particularly shocking news given the device's performance issues and befuddling connection to the satellite provider, it does imply that finding an affordable, modern, and subscription-free solution for over-the-air recording will soon go the way of the dodo. So all issues aside, if you're in need of a ATSC dual-tuning HD recorder with 250 GB of space for $250, we'd suggest you snag one of the dwindling units available online before it's too late (or, as CNET notes, keep an eye out for its Channel Master CM-7000PAL doppelganger.) Otherwise, be prepared to either upgrade to the pricier world of full-fledged DVRs, or more unthinkably, dust off the VCR sitting in your attic. If you do choose the latter option though, for the love of humanity do not allow those taped episodes of Dragon Ball Z to ever see the light of day.
DVBLink turns any ATSC or clear QAM tuner into a networked tuner
A craze that was started by Silicon Dust years ago is very popular for a very good reason -- network tuners are incredibly flexible -- and it just came to any ATSC or clear QAM tuner. The company DVBLogic has made it possible to turn any DVB tuner into a network tuner for some time, but since we don't DVB in the US, it hasn't been very useful on this side of the Atlantic. The latest release of DVBLink includes said ability which might be just the way for you to watch live HD on your laptop using the existing tuner in your HTPC. It isn't free software, but we're betting if you have the need the ~40 Euro price won't keep you from it -- assuming the free 30 day trial works as advertised.
LG proposes an update to ATSC for non-real-time content
Broadcasters are always looking for ways to make better use of their allotted spectrum and since even the highest quality HD signals use a variable bit rate, there are always some bits that go to waste. Up until now broadcasters have used multicasting to put those extra bits to work, but since each channel has a minimum bitrate, this tends to lower the maximum bit rate of the primary HD feed -- which usually causes some very blocky HD. At NAB this week, LG was demonstrating new tech that could allow broadcasters to use those extra bits to send high quality (3D even) non-real-time programming -- of course the TV or set-top would need some disk space available to store the programming until you are ready to watch it -- kind of like the old Moviebeam service worked, but obviously a digital version. LG hopes this will make it into ATSC 2.0 in the next few years and we do too as this concept has lots of bandwidth potential. You see because while the big game on Sunday afternoon might require the full 19.3 Mbps, most other programming uses half that. So in other words, if a channel doesn't multicast, they are probably sending you about 553 Gigabytes of null bits a week. Show full PR text LG Electronics Demonstrates World's First ATSC Non-Real-Time 3D TV Broadcast Spare broadband capacity utilized to cache 3D programming for more home entertainment options LAS VEGAS, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics is paving the way for next-generation digital television (DTV) broadcast standards and advancing its leadership in 3D television with the first public demonstration of Non-Real-Time (NRT) technologies contemplated in ATSC 2.0, a new activity of the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC). The world's first broadcast of NRT 3D TV takes place at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters convention which runs through April 15 in Las Vegas. LG's NRT technology takes advantage of unused bandwidth in broadband digital TV transmissions. While viewers are watching live ATSC DTV broadcasts, the NRT function can simultaneously cache other broadcasts in the background onto hard drives or USB flash drives so the content can be viewed at a later time. LG has successfully tested the ATSC-compatible technology in Korea with SBS, one of the country's premier terrestrial broadcasters. "LG is at the forefront of developing this technology for digital broadcasting," said Dr. Woo Paik, president and chief technology officer, LG Electronics Inc. "NRT 3D broadcast is a prime example of our leadership in 3D TV, and it fits very well with LG's efforts in the developments associated with the newest ATSC technologies." The demonstration at the NAB show, conducted in cooperation with SBS, is built around prototype LG NRT- and 3D-capable HDTVs to record and replay 3D ATSC programming stored on an external USB drive. The experimental broadcast showcases the capabilities of emerging ATSC 2.0 technologies, expected to be the next enhancement in the ATSC family of standards, perhaps as early as 2011 or 2012. LG expects NRT technology to have enormous commercial potential with broadcasters and content providers taking full advantage of the flexibility of ATSC broadcasting to deliver additional services such as Internet radio and video-on-demand (VOD). For consumers who have already bought or plan to purchase LG 3D HDTVs, the company plans to offer a software upgrade so they can take full advantage of additional content through the NRT and 3D ATSC services when they become commercially available in the years ahead. Also at the NAB show, LG Electronics is demonstrating how Internet connectivity related to ATSC 2.0 will help enhance the DTV viewing experience. With a hybrid terrestrial transmission and IP (Internet-Protocol) service, Korean broadcaster KBS and LG will showcase enriched content for viewers and exciting applications for broadcasters. The demonstration will highlight features on prototype LG broadband TVs, including an advanced electronic service guide, VOD capability, and clip services.
Mobile DTV gains national mobile content service, broadcast group support
If there's one thing a fledgling technology needs, it's good marketing. That aside, the next most vital thing is industry support. Today, an even dozen broadcast groups have banded together in order to back the soon-to-launch Mobile DTV format (ATSC-M/H), with Belo, Cox, E.W. Scripps, Fox, Gannett, Hearst, ION, Media General, Meredith, NBC, Post-Newsweek and Raycom forming a joint venture to develop a "new national mobile content service." The service will utilize the broadcast spectrum already set aside in order to allow member companies to "provide content to mobile devices, including live and on-demand video, local and national news from print and electronic sources, as well as sports and entertainment programming." That's pretty big news for a tech that's been struggling to gain acceptance in America, and if all goes to plan, Washington, DCers will get a chance to indulge first when it goes live in the nation's capitol on May 3rd. A showcase on that date will demonstration a Mobile DTV-capable Samsung Moment and Dell Mini 10 (amongst others), though we're still having a tough time digging up firm pricing for any of those. Get ready, folks -- Pimp My Ride is about to get a huge second wind.
