CEA Launches Mobile DTV Standard Group

Group to Promote Digital TV On-The-Go

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® seeks participation in a new Special Interest Group to address A/153 – the mobile/handheld addition to the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s (ATSC) broadcast digital television standards in the United States. The ATSC is working to complete the new standard which will allow digital television (DTV) broadcasts beyond the living room. The new capability, called ATSC Mobile/Handheld (M/H), allows TV broadcasters to use part of their signal to deliver services that can be reliably received by handheld receiving units and receivers in moving vehicles.

“CEA is organizing this Special Interest Group for ATSC M/H to assist the consumer electronics community in understanding the technology and market dynamics,” said Brian Markwalter, CEA vice president of technology and standards. “CEA is excited to work with members to accelerate this innovative extension to our DTV system.”

This group will support the launch and growth of mobile digital TV in North America by fostering industry dialogue, educational programs, and unified messaging; and by promoting the development and use of technical standards and best practices documents. The Special Interest Group for ATSC M/H will discuss the fundamentals of the standard, facilitate discussions with suppliers of technologies specified by the standard and arrange meetings with groups such as the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC) to understand the broadcaster perspective. The OMVC was formed by U.S. broadcasters, representing more than 800 TV stations, to accelerate the development and rollout of mobile DTV services.

Any CEA member company interested in participating should contact Jack Cutts at jcutts@CE.org or 703-907-7052.