Arguably, 3D HD was the "star" of CES 2010 and is the primary focus of the television business starting now. And rightfully so, as 3D will be a welcome incrementally profitable business as HD approaches market maturity. However, the same cannot be said for broadcasters as they gather in Las Vegas this month for NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Convention 2010. To OTA broadcasters, whose very lifeblood – their spectrum – is under assault, the issue is survival. And that survival may very well depend on their successful embrace of the new ATSC Mobile/Handheld (M/H) standard. So, in spite of its glitter, 3D may very well take a second seat to M/H at NAB 2010.
To some extent M/H is a solution waiting for a problem. It is not clear there is any driving conventional need for linear mobile television and/or non-internet data services, at least in the US, or any that would appear to be economically viable. However, here are some factors, both commercial and technical, that could allow broadcasters to successfully leverage their spectrum to turn M/H into a win-win proposition or to secure survival itself...
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Ed's View - How Mobile Capability Could Redefine and Save Over-the-air Television
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Ed Milbourn
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BobDiaz
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You have made a number of good points as to good things that are possible to the new M/H standard. Let me add one more thing: If conditions are just a bit off, the audio and video on my TV drops out. I could live with a quick freeze on the video, but the drop out of the audio drives me nuts when it happens. A TV set of the future could take quickly switch to the M/H audio when there's a drop out and even slip in the missing frames during the drop out. This assumes that the station is transmitting the same channel using both systems.
When it comes to M/H, just feeding you regular broadcast over the M/H feed might work, but maybe the better product isn't regular broadcast TV as we think of it. Maybe the real market isn't those who watch a regular 1/2 hour to 1 hour TV show, but those who watch for a short time, while waiting in line or during breaks. If so, shows like a MTV Video Clips, News Highlights, or Market watch might better fit the format. This is something new, so who knows....
Bob Diaz
When it comes to M/H, just feeding you regular broadcast over the M/H feed might work, but maybe the better product isn't regular broadcast TV as we think of it. Maybe the real market isn't those who watch a regular 1/2 hour to 1 hour TV show, but those who watch for a short time, while waiting in line or during breaks. If so, shows like a MTV Video Clips, News Highlights, or Market watch might better fit the format. This is something new, so who knows....
Bob Diaz