LG Electronics has announced some specifics on its mobile DTV plans for 2010.
At the 2010 International CES in Las Vegas next week, the company, which along with Samsung own patents to the ATSC M/H mobile DTV standard, will introduce the DP570MH Mobile Digital Television with DVD Playback.
In addition to being among the first ATSC M/H compliant consumer devices available, the DP570MH features a 7-inch wide display screen (at Wide QVGA resolution of 480x234) and shrinks to about 9.5-inches by 6.5 inches when folded. The removable battery powers the device for up to 2.5 hours in TV mode or up to 4.5 hours during DVD playback. It will be available later this year at a suggested retail price of $249.
LG began mass production of its LG2160A integrated circuit (IC) chip in June 2009, well before the final approval of the ATSC-M/H standard in October. The latest version, the LG2160R single chip design that includes both the tuner and demodulator, is being released at CES. By March 2010, LG plans to release its next-generation mobile DTV chip, the LG2161R receiver IC, which is even smaller, consumes less power, supports various interfaces and provides improved performance.
LG Mobile DTV chips will be found in a variety of new products being introduced by various manufacturers at CES, from laptop USB accessory receivers to netbooks with integrated Mobile DTV tuners and a range of prototype devices being shown to retailers this week. At CES, LG will demonstrate mobile phone prototype LG handsets as well as in-vehicle prototype products that could be available through automobile dealers or after-market retailers.
Multichannel News has more on what other ATSC M/H compatible devices will be at CES.
Several major markets including Seattle, Atlanta and Washington DC have been testing ATSC M/H. Broadcasters plan to officially launch mobile DTV broadcasts via the ATSC M/H standard in 2010.
