Mobile TV

It has been quite some time that we have seen some form of mobile TV or other. The technology has been existing for a while but has not matured yet. It is yet to find its foothold in many countries around the world. Mobile TV is expected to combine broadcast content with streamed and downloaded contents.

Mobile TV
Mobile TV means television contents that can be watched on small hand-held devices. It may be a pay TV service broadcast on mobile phone networks or received free-to-air via terrestrial television stations from either regular broadcast or a special mobile TV transmission format. Some mobile televisions can also download television shows from the internet, including recorded TV programs and podcasts.i.e. the content may be obtained either through an existing cellular network or a propriety network.

Standards
DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld)
This is the major one of the mobile TV formats. DVB-H was formally adopted as ETSI standard as early as in November 2004. DVB-SH (Satellite to Handhelds), DVB-NGH (Next Generation Handheld) are possible enhancements to DVB-H, providing improved spectral efficiency and better modulation flexibility.

ATSC-M/H (Advanced Television Systems Committee - Mobile/Handheld)
This standard for mobile digital TV allows TV broadcasts to be received by mobile devices. ATSC-M/H is an extension to the available digital TV broadcasting standard ATSC A/53. ATSC is optimized for a fixed reception and uses 8VSB modulation.

MediaFLO
This technology transmits video and data to portable devices. In the United States, the service powered by this technology is branded as FLO TV. Broadcast data transmitted via MediaFLO includes live, real time audio and video streams, as well as scheduled video and audio clips and shows. The technology can also carry Internet Protocol data-cast application data.