To be successful, the broadcaster's deployment of Mobile DTV (aka 'Mobile M/H' or 'Pedestrian Handheld') requires a harmonization of technology, marketing and revenue generation. Besides the hardware and software suppliers, those two organizations most involved [to date] have taken the lead in the technological development and the roots of the marketing approaches. These two organizations are discussed from a broad perspective in this segment:
The Advanced Television Systems Committee or ATSC - in its role as the conduit for the creators of the digital terrestrial broadcasting standard - has developed and is in the final dimensions of the balloting and adoption processes for a revolutionary new approach to distribution and reception of the digital broadcasting signal to mobile/pedestrian handheld devices.
The Open Mobile Video Coalition or OMVC is an alliance of U.S. commercial and public broadcasters formed to accelerate the development and rollout of mobile DTV products and services. The OMVC is committed to maximizing and developing the full potential of the digital television spectrum.
The following is a general overview of Mobile DTV ....
(portions courtesy of the OMVC)
About Mobile DTV
The Power of Local TV on the Go
Mobile Digital Television (DTV) represents a significant new revenue stream for the broadcasting industry as well as a new way to reach more customers. Affordable transmission facility improvements allow broadcasters to extend local programming to a vast audience of viewers with portable Mobile DTV devices.
As the US digital conversion, as mandated for completion in the one June 12, 2009, Mobile DTV will emerged as an important way for broadcasters to extend their franchises.
Consumers Seek Mobility
Mobile DTV makes local, digital broadcast TV portable.
With Mobile DTV, consumers can tune in to live, local news, traffic information, weather, sporting events or entertainment programs from the convenience of their car, at the beach—wherever they may be, using a variety of mobile and video devices.
For consumer electronics manufacturers and automakers, extending broadcast-quality TV to portable devices opens up a vast new market. Improved picture quality and access to more programming choices and local content will drive consumer interest, which makes Mobile DTV a great opportunity for consumer electronics manufacturers and automakers to develop the cool devices that will capture a major share of this market. Indeed, studies have predicted a range from 25 million to 100+ million mobile broadcast end-users worldwide by 2010.
Additionally, Mobile DTV makes public safety information accessible from virtually anywhere. Consumers will be able to receive their normal TV fare on a mobile device, delivered in full-motion video and complete with local news, traffic and weather updates.
The broadcasting industry has embraced Mobile DTV as an enhancement of the conversion of its TV signals from old-fashioned analog transmission to modern digital transmission. This conversion clears a considerable portion of the airwaves, now devoted to the analog signal, for new services. Full-motion, mobile digital television is the most prominent of these services currently being developed. Broadcasters reap the benefits of Mobile DTV’s crisp picture, high-speed mobility and a wealth of new multicast choices – all made possible through the digital broadcast signal.
For Broadcasters
Integrating Mobile DTV
The process of integrating Mobile DTV transmission with an existing ATSC plant is not difficult; these are the basic devices required for local origination and network services
* A video (AVC or H.264 also known as MPEG 4 Part 10) and audio (HE AAC v2) encoder for each added program stream
* An IP path into the facility (for remote component ingest)
* An IP encapsulator to encapsulate all program streams and non-real-time files into the appropriate transport protocol
* A service multiplexer to multiplex the conventional ATSC stream with Mobile DTV data
* A Mobile DTV enabled exciter to replace the existing exciter in the ATSC transmitter
The Mobile DTV architecture provides full compatibility with all industry-standard ATSC equipment. Additionally, the system is compatible with all current microwave and fiber STL systems.
Mobile Benefits
When a Mobile DTV system is implemented, broadcasters can expect the following operational and financial benefits.
* Leveraged investment in ATSC transmission
* Delivery of robust DTV signals to Mobile DTV receiving devices
* Extension of local branding to mobile users
* The ability to redirect local news, weather, sports and traffic information to “consumers on the go”
* The addition of up to eight program (streams) of mobile content per station
New revenue opportunities based on subscription, advertising and sell-through transactions
Mobile Phone - Almost always on hand, the mobile phone is an essential device for connecting to millions of viewers.
Portable Media Player - Live, local broadcasts make the traditional mode of watching video on-the-go even more mobile.
Laptop Computer - The laptop is the perfect device for bundling broadcast television with a large screen viewing area.
Navigation Device - On-the-road or in the park, this increasingly popular device is used by millions today for their day-to-day activities.
Automobile-based - Whether after-market or stock, Mobile DTV is the perfect addition to the family vehicle.
Business Model Opportunities
Market research firm In-Stat recently conducted a survey with this resulting data: Consumers are increasingly willing to view ads as part of a mobile media experience, highlighting the potential for a smooth transition of local broadcasting’s free-to-air value proposition to mobile. The potential for subscription-based services is also strong, as demonstrated by markets around the world.
With the availability of these new programs for “consumers on the go,” broadcasters can develop new formats for their marketplace, or augment their existing format by adding a mobile version of their main channel. This offers advertisers new opportunities to reach mobile consumers. Additionally, new brands can be leveraged by offering 24-hour news, traffic and weather feeds for mobile users. Broadcasters are local community stakeholders, and the sky is the limit for what they can offer to viewers, such as expanded sports coverage for avid high school and college fans, or a music-based children’s channel for backseat viewers in the family minivan.
Mobile DTV can reignite and excite audiences—plus the added channels can translate into additional revenue with an expanded product available for sale.
If a station does not have extensive local programming or production capabilities, there are a large number of program providers who can offer high-quality content services that can be easily automated for playback and minimize a station’s operational requirements. Stations can also benefit from leasing out bandwidth and providing a delivery “pipe” for content providers.
Non Real Time Services
The system enables delivery of content for local storage in the Mobile DTV receiver for playback/display at a later time. For example, local advertiser locations and sales could be sent in advance; when a device determined that it was close, a promo could be displayed. Another example might involve the Mobile DTV receiver in the vehicle gathering content for playback on a trip.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Going Mobile
Smart Phones offer new opportunities
If, or rather hopefully when, smart phones, handhelds and other cellular-based devices incorporate ATSC M/H receiver-applications and systems -- the broadcast industry will be provided with a new platform by which to expand services to what is a diminishing 'in the home' audience. Intelligent mobile devices will allow broadcasters and their advertisers to tap into new opportunities - but they have to be smart about it.
Although regular 'broadcaster originated' programming is not yet available on mobile technology in any, except a minute few trial markets - handhelds should ultimately be able to offer both stations and their clients a means to reach consumers through directed advertising, focused marketing campaigns, local or regional promotions and other services including local news and information, traffic, emergency notification and targeted gaming (sports, and others).
Winning Strategies for Media
The BIA's "Winning Media Strategies" conference in Washington this past week provided a conduit for understanding how to make mobile technologies a part of the broadcast industry agenda. One immediate opportunity - paraphrased by Michael Boland, program director for mobile local media, The Kelsey Group - is that by utilizing mobile distribution technologies (i.e., ATSC A/153 compliant over the airways signaling) the ability to promote and market both station and advertisers' products can extend those businesses' reach. The more dramatic impact will be when mobile, with the proper feedback mechanism, provides the broadcasters and advertising communities with 'quantifiable evidence' that their efforts work.
As evidenced, when one advertiser in the auto-repair/service industry offered mobile users a coupon for services, 50% of those redeeming that coupon were first-time customers of that service. When a Detroit station ran a contest for a shopping spree an estimated 91,000 mobile users responded.
Tapping Local Resources
Smart phone consumers already are or will use their devices to tap local resources. Concepts including the finding of local businesses or other entertainment/recreational opportunities; or impulse purchasing based upon geographically specific locations. Broadcasters can maximize those opportunities by providing the information that local users want or need.
The users of smart phones have yet to be tapped. Since only about one fifth do anything more than talk or text, that leaves the remainder of the users potential candidates for directed programming, advertising and other related attention getting activities.
Making Money at it
Revenue models for such activities are only beginning to emerge - they are mostly still in the dream stage. However, the capabilities already conceived for digital terrestrial data-broadcasting can now be extended to a new and evolving audience. Since consumer displays with DTV (ATSC) tuners never took advantage of the 'designed in' technologies (e.g., directed channel change, zip code specific targetted messaging, etc.); it is time for broadcasters to get prepared to really challenge the technology and put it to a use that can be monetized and will be profitable for a diverse set of businesses.
Acknowledgments and Further Reading
Note: The inspiration for this topic came from "Words To The Wise: Go Mobile And Local" http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/05/21/daily.12/ by Diana Marszalek (TVNEWSDAY, May 21 2009)
If, or rather hopefully when, smart phones, handhelds and other cellular-based devices incorporate ATSC M/H receiver-applications and systems -- the broadcast industry will be provided with a new platform by which to expand services to what is a diminishing 'in the home' audience. Intelligent mobile devices will allow broadcasters and their advertisers to tap into new opportunities - but they have to be smart about it.
Although regular 'broadcaster originated' programming is not yet available on mobile technology in any, except a minute few trial markets - handhelds should ultimately be able to offer both stations and their clients a means to reach consumers through directed advertising, focused marketing campaigns, local or regional promotions and other services including local news and information, traffic, emergency notification and targeted gaming (sports, and others).
Winning Strategies for Media
The BIA's "Winning Media Strategies" conference in Washington this past week provided a conduit for understanding how to make mobile technologies a part of the broadcast industry agenda. One immediate opportunity - paraphrased by Michael Boland, program director for mobile local media, The Kelsey Group - is that by utilizing mobile distribution technologies (i.e., ATSC A/153 compliant over the airways signaling) the ability to promote and market both station and advertisers' products can extend those businesses' reach. The more dramatic impact will be when mobile, with the proper feedback mechanism, provides the broadcasters and advertising communities with 'quantifiable evidence' that their efforts work.
As evidenced, when one advertiser in the auto-repair/service industry offered mobile users a coupon for services, 50% of those redeeming that coupon were first-time customers of that service. When a Detroit station ran a contest for a shopping spree an estimated 91,000 mobile users responded.
Tapping Local Resources
Smart phone consumers already are or will use their devices to tap local resources. Concepts including the finding of local businesses or other entertainment/recreational opportunities; or impulse purchasing based upon geographically specific locations. Broadcasters can maximize those opportunities by providing the information that local users want or need.
The users of smart phones have yet to be tapped. Since only about one fifth do anything more than talk or text, that leaves the remainder of the users potential candidates for directed programming, advertising and other related attention getting activities.
Making Money at it
Revenue models for such activities are only beginning to emerge - they are mostly still in the dream stage. However, the capabilities already conceived for digital terrestrial data-broadcasting can now be extended to a new and evolving audience. Since consumer displays with DTV (ATSC) tuners never took advantage of the 'designed in' technologies (e.g., directed channel change, zip code specific targetted messaging, etc.); it is time for broadcasters to get prepared to really challenge the technology and put it to a use that can be monetized and will be profitable for a diverse set of businesses.
Acknowledgments and Further Reading
Note: The inspiration for this topic came from "Words To The Wise: Go Mobile And Local" http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2009/05/21/daily.12/ by Diana Marszalek (TVNEWSDAY, May 21 2009)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
DTV in 30 minutes or less
Save your analog televisions from the landfills -- adding a DTV converter isn't rocket science.
This weekend I watched the Indy 500 on a 25 year old 12" black and white NTSC set in the garage, and I used a cannibalized set of indoor rabbit ears as the antenna.
I couldn't get the program at all on the NTSC (analog) tuner from my local ABC affiliate WTAE. So I striped the 300 ohm antenna lead connection to the attached rabbit ears dipole; added a 300-to-75 ohm balun and plugged in the NTIA coupon converter.
Since I couldn't find a "UHF" loop antenna in my junk drawer, I used the old VHF dipole with a twin lead connection and without any balun adaptor from the converter box (about as bad a mismatch as you can get).
The Pittsburgh PA TV transmitters are 20+ miles from my home, and I am at an elevation about the same as their broadcast antennas - but with lots of hills between. The bottom line, I had a better wide screen picture without ghosts, and without any major disturbances - and 22 channels of FREE TV.
....and it took less than 30 minutes to cobble it all together.
So get real, if people want to watch good image quality FREE television, they'll make the effort.
Let's not delay the June 12 conversion to digital terrestrial broadcasting any longer or continue to make excuses that just show apathy or ignorance.
This weekend I watched the Indy 500 on a 25 year old 12" black and white NTSC set in the garage, and I used a cannibalized set of indoor rabbit ears as the antenna.
I couldn't get the program at all on the NTSC (analog) tuner from my local ABC affiliate WTAE. So I striped the 300 ohm antenna lead connection to the attached rabbit ears dipole; added a 300-to-75 ohm balun and plugged in the NTIA coupon converter.
Since I couldn't find a "UHF" loop antenna in my junk drawer, I used the old VHF dipole with a twin lead connection and without any balun adaptor from the converter box (about as bad a mismatch as you can get).
The Pittsburgh PA TV transmitters are 20+ miles from my home, and I am at an elevation about the same as their broadcast antennas - but with lots of hills between. The bottom line, I had a better wide screen picture without ghosts, and without any major disturbances - and 22 channels of FREE TV.
....and it took less than 30 minutes to cobble it all together.
So get real, if people want to watch good image quality FREE television, they'll make the effort.
Let's not delay the June 12 conversion to digital terrestrial broadcasting any longer or continue to make excuses that just show apathy or ignorance.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Content Interchange and Rights Management
A recent discussion on the LinkedIn Broadcast Professionals group forum (http://www.linkedin.com/) got me thinking about the topic of interchange for properly owned or licensed content between eligible platforms.
The discussion title "a simple question on content" was inspiring. While it dealt mainly with the traditional 'content' definition (text, video, audio, etc); the undertoned message was extensive.
For several years the telcos (Verizons, AT&Ts) of the world have promoted an overhaul to the network that would enable the seamless hand off of communications, data and information where ever the user is. Whether you're in the car (on Bluetooth to your handset), move into the home (where you transfer from wireless to wireline), back to the office (from wireless to Voice over IP telephony), etc.
The success of this so named 'NextGen Network' (NGN) depends upon interoperability - not just in content, but in DRM interchange and the successful use of 'owned' or 'right-to-use/right-to-share' content. If portability is not permitted, there is no purpose to the target of any-where/any-time/any-place networks.
My suspicion is that each content provider will (or already has) faced such challenges, and is as perplexed as the end user. Anyone dealing with iTunes, Zune or the like, knows the issue and can't solve the problem. Once the CD becomes a relic - what will the casual user be forced to do?
Extending the thought process to social networks, which continue to expand - ebb and flow, we need to consider just how 'owned' content will survive and prosper. One concept is an exchangeable Conditional Access key, ones that can be secured and portable among registered owners. The so called portable-CA-key could still enable the rightful exchange of content, leaving the DRM-requirements to continue without hardship.
Consider the current evolution of books (both printed and electronic) in such a discussion. The crisis may come to a head as publishers begin a move away from the printed book to the eBook (e.g., Amazon/Kindle or Sony/Reader Digital) platform. An interesting question was raised this past week on National Public Radio, i.e., "what happens if Kindle goes bust after you've spent hundreds on digital books?" According to the commentator, it appears you are restricted from moving 'owned' or 'licensed ULA content' from any platform to another. So how will the user/purchaser feel if their original content delivery company goes out of business - will you lose your investment entirely?
NPR pointed out that publishers may battle the authors, especially little known authors, who thrive on the sharing of printed (or digital) works for exposure.
All food for thought as we move further away from 'exchangeable' physical media to the dimension of the digital file.
The discussion title "a simple question on content" was inspiring. While it dealt mainly with the traditional 'content' definition (text, video, audio, etc); the undertoned message was extensive.
For several years the telcos (Verizons, AT&Ts) of the world have promoted an overhaul to the network that would enable the seamless hand off of communications, data and information where ever the user is. Whether you're in the car (on Bluetooth to your handset), move into the home (where you transfer from wireless to wireline), back to the office (from wireless to Voice over IP telephony), etc.
The success of this so named 'NextGen Network' (NGN) depends upon interoperability - not just in content, but in DRM interchange and the successful use of 'owned' or 'right-to-use/right-to-share' content. If portability is not permitted, there is no purpose to the target of any-where/any-time/any-place networks.
My suspicion is that each content provider will (or already has) faced such challenges, and is as perplexed as the end user. Anyone dealing with iTunes, Zune or the like, knows the issue and can't solve the problem. Once the CD becomes a relic - what will the casual user be forced to do?
Extending the thought process to social networks, which continue to expand - ebb and flow, we need to consider just how 'owned' content will survive and prosper. One concept is an exchangeable Conditional Access key, ones that can be secured and portable among registered owners. The so called portable-CA-key could still enable the rightful exchange of content, leaving the DRM-requirements to continue without hardship.
Consider the current evolution of books (both printed and electronic) in such a discussion. The crisis may come to a head as publishers begin a move away from the printed book to the eBook (e.g., Amazon/Kindle or Sony/Reader Digital) platform. An interesting question was raised this past week on National Public Radio, i.e., "what happens if Kindle goes bust after you've spent hundreds on digital books?" According to the commentator, it appears you are restricted from moving 'owned' or 'licensed ULA content' from any platform to another. So how will the user/purchaser feel if their original content delivery company goes out of business - will you lose your investment entirely?
NPR pointed out that publishers may battle the authors, especially little known authors, who thrive on the sharing of printed (or digital) works for exposure.
All food for thought as we move further away from 'exchangeable' physical media to the dimension of the digital file.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hollywood Post Alliance Tech Retreat
It's officially closed - but is yet another over arching success.
Some 375 industry whose-who professionals attended this past week in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs), California.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this event - especially Mark, Eileen, John and the entire HPA staff and members.
For those who've not previousy attended, the HPA Tech Retreat includes its usual wide range of relevant topics - including, but not limited to:
For complete information on the 2009 conference, and to become a member of HPA - go to:
http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=62874&orgId=hopa
Some 375 industry whose-who professionals attended this past week in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs), California.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this event - especially Mark, Eileen, John and the entire HPA staff and members.
For those who've not previousy attended, the HPA Tech Retreat includes its usual wide range of relevant topics - including, but not limited to:
- Broadcasters Update
- New Display Technologies
- 3D (Stereoscopic) imaging
- High Frame Rate Video
- Video Consumer Marketplace
- Digital Content Protection
- Acquisition
- Rights Management
- Hardware and Software Storage
- Compression
- Digital Post Production
- Processes
- Infrastructure
- Legislative and Regulatory Update
- Test & Measurement
Psychophysics - Digital Projection Technology
- Digital Television and Picture quality
- Large-Format Imaging
- Image Enhancement
- Asset Management
- HD Finishing
For complete information on the 2009 conference, and to become a member of HPA - go to:
http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=62874&orgId=hopa
Monday, December 15, 2008
Iowa DTV Symposium
Iowa Public Television hosts the nationally-recognized, premier event that attracts production, management, technical, creative and education professionals from across the country.
The 2008 event was held October 7-9 in Des Moines. The agenda, papers and presentations are viewable by logging in to the link below.
http://www.iptv.org/dtv/2008/agenda.cfm
The presentation "What it Might be Like to Work in a File Based World" discussed the topic of file based systems architectures, planning, quality control and workflow changes.
Synopsis
When you can no longer ‘see’ the content, touch the media and must depend upon new forms of instruments to tell you if the images, sound and metadata will be what you expected - - you’ve officially evolved into the world of file based workflows. What will might take to navigate this new environment and what is on the horizon to assist the operator in this new digital media age will be explored by AZCAR’s Chief Technology Officer, Karl Paulsen.
Many of the presentations (including their MP3 downloads) are worth looking at.
The 2008 event was held October 7-9 in Des Moines. The agenda, papers and presentations are viewable by logging in to the link below.
http://www.iptv.org/dtv/2008/agenda.cfm
The presentation "What it Might be Like to Work in a File Based World" discussed the topic of file based systems architectures, planning, quality control and workflow changes.
Synopsis
When you can no longer ‘see’ the content, touch the media and must depend upon new forms of instruments to tell you if the images, sound and metadata will be what you expected - - you’ve officially evolved into the world of file based workflows. What will might take to navigate this new environment and what is on the horizon to assist the operator in this new digital media age will be explored by AZCAR’s Chief Technology Officer, Karl Paulsen.
Many of the presentations (including their MP3 downloads) are worth looking at.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Digital Media Management - new article in TV Technology
Digital Media Management - an upcoming article by Karl Paulsen in TV Technology magazine's July 9th issue. The July installment discusses the importance of employing a DMM solution for the control, management and reporting of file-based workflows and operating infrastructures for the broadcast and enterainment industries. Be sure to look it up at http://www.tvtechnology.com/ under the features column 'Media Server Technologies'.
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