Nab Portlet : NAB Event News

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Harris, LG bring PPV, program guides, and more to MPH mobile video platform Apr 14, 2008 - 11:22:11 AM

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By Ken Kerschbaumer

Harris Broadcast Communications is introducing more than 64 new products this year but advances in the company’s MPH (Mobile Pedestrian and Handheld) technology along with LG Electronics that should excite TV sports networks and leagues. The system uses a small slice of a TV station’s DTV signal to deliver broadcast-quality content to mobile devices and will now have the ability to offer PPV services, VOD, a program guide, and dynamic advertising thanks to EXPWAY.

"The EXPWAY ESG platform can support the download of GPS maps and a feature called dynamic points of interest, which lets users search for the nearest restaurant, store, or other business, as well as obtain the directions to get there," says Xavier Wartelle, director of U.S. sales and business development for EXPWAY, based in Mountain View, Calif. "The advertising revenue from sponsorships of these innovative, interactive mobile DTV services represents a new revenue stream for broadcasters. As the market grows, the profit potential could be significant."

The ATSC is currently testing different over-the-air mobile delivery technologies and while companies like AT&T and Verizon spend the next three years figuring out what to do with 700 MHz spectrum broadcasters are ready today. “While other [entities] are buying spectrum broadcasters already have it in place,” says John Taylor, VP, Public Affairs, LG Electronics. “And the ATSC is on a fast track to standardize and make this a reality.”

Jay Adrick, Harris Broadcast vice president, Broadcast Technology Architect, says Harris has developed a way to layer an IP transport layer on top of the MPH signal. “And for the first time we will be able to encode in MPEG4,” he says.

Harris Corporation and LG Electronics will demonstrate the capabilities of IP-based delivery system in an over-the-air MPH mobile DTV broadcast by KVCW-DT Las Vegas, the Sinclair Broadcasting Group-owned CW Network station serving the Las Vegas market, and also via a closed circuit broadcast originating from Harris Booth N2502.

Using IP opens up a number of new services to MPH that, previously, was only a video signal. But by brining IP addressability to the system targeted advertising and even audience measurement via Nielsen is possible.

Transmission equipment like the M2X exciter, UDcast IP encapsulator, Envivio mobile encoders, and Expway ESG system will be available in the fall.

“We will also have financing programs available to help stations align revenues with the need to grow revenues,” says Adrick.