Broadcast DTV--big screen HDTV and small screen mobile DTV--was on display Tuesday at the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill. Congressmen and government officials had an opportunity to see the benefits of the DTV transition close up. A wide range of mobile devices were shown displaying mobile DTV signals from Fox Television Stations’ WDCA, Gannett Broadcasting’s WUSA, ION Media Networks’ WPXW-DT, NBC Universal’s WRC-TV, PBS’ WHUT-TV, MHz Networks’ WNVT and Sinclair Broadcast Group’s WNUV.
“The broadcast industry appreciates leadership by Congress in driving the transition from analog to digital television transmission,” said Dave Lougee, president of Gannett Broadcasting and OMVC Executive Committee member. “This event will demonstrate to Members of Congress how their constituents will benefit from the digital conversion. The 'DTV Triple Play' includes more HD programming, new free channels and the launch of mobile DTV, which will bring live, broadcast DTV programming to mobile devices for the first time.”
Prototype devices shown receiving the mobile DTV signals included Kenwood's after-market in-vehicle video player, mobile phones and portable DVD players from LG Electronics. Also part of the demo were Dell's Mini 10 Mobile DTV Netbook--the first laptop with integrated mobile DTV capability, and DTV Interactive's ATSC Mobile DTV USB dongle receiver for PC's and notebooks. Mobile DTV services included Roundbox's electronic service guide and iSET's Emergency Alert System, which uses mobile DTV technology to alert customers about emergencies such as natural disasters, security threats and events such as traffic accidents or criminal activity.
WTTG covers the show in it news article and video FOX 5 Money: Mobile TV. The story ends with the comment, “Seventy TV stations have signed on to deliver live television broadcasts in 28 markets by the end of 2009. If consumers catch on to the idea, it may prove that the old broadcast dinosaur still has a few tricks up his sleeve.”
