Korean Mobile TV Technology Adopted as Global Standard

A Korean-made mobile broadcasting technology has been adopted as a global standard. Digital Chosunilbo reports.

Developed by adding a multimedia aspect to Europe's digital audio broadcasting (DAB) technology, terrestrial digital mobile broadcasting (T-DMB) enables clear reception of video and audio while on the move.

The Ministry of Information and Communication said Saturday that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) confirmed T-DMB as a global standard after getting approval from its 191 member nations.

... Some 7.8 million T-DMB devices are currently in use in Korea. The technology is being pilot-tested in 11 nations including Germany, the Vatican, Ghana, Indonesia, Britain, France, the Netherlands, China, South Africa and Canada."

Free Mobile Broadcasts to Be Available Nationwide in May

According to The Korea Times, as of next month, South Koreans will be able to watch free TV programs on their mobile handsets not merely in Seoul and its vicinity but also across the country.

"The Ministry of Information and Communication yesterday said it gave licenses to KBS and MBC, the country's two top TV outlets, to start nationwide mobile broadcasting called terrestrial DMB.

... Terrestrial DMB debuted in December 2005 for the first time in the world but its coverage has been restricted to Seoul and the surrounding Kyonggi Province."

Korean DMD for the Vatican?

Pope Benedict XVI may watch TV with his cell phone late this year thanks to Korean-developed technology dubbed terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), reports The Korea Times .

"Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, plan to provide 100 DMB-enabled handsets to the Vatican in time for President Roh Moo-hyun's visit to Rome next week.

The phones will be used as a broadcasting terminal late this year when the country's public broadcaster RAI TV launches terrestrial DMB with one video and eight audio channels.

"We plan to offer terrestrial DMB phones to the Roman Catholic Church when President Roh visits there during Feb. 14 to 16,' an official at the Ministry of Information and Communication said."

The above illustration was drawn by The Korea Times staff to iilustrate plans by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics to offer terrestrial mobile broadcasting (DMB) devices to the Vatican.

South Korea pushes mobile speeds

In Seoul a technology with the formidable name of High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is behind this boost to wireless speeds. It piggybacks on the 3G cellular networks, but HDSPA has been especially tweaked to give speeds which are about three to four times faster than regular 3G. The BBC reports.

"In South Korea it is in much wider use than most other places, and consequently it is one of the first places in the world where people are actually beginning to use it

Some of the mobile features made available at high speed:

-- You can take your pick from 10-megapixel camera phones, to bespoke phones with elementary mixing for budding teenage DJs.

-- 8GB hard drive music phones can store 2000 tracks.

-- A virtual pooch responds according to affection you bestow, and if you happen across a similar phone owner you can cross-breed a puppy and then give it up for adoption to another user.

-- Handsets with built-in motion sensors, so you can play games, make music or enhance the core functions of the phone - like speed dialling by waving your arms in the air.

-- Outshining all of those have got to be phones with great hi-res screens, where you can watch several dozen channels of TV content in amazingly decent quality.

Even Faster

Koreans are already thinking about 4G networks which will deliver blisteringly fast speeds.

In a recent display of mobile muscle, a few Samsung execs were given a taste of things to come - a 100 megabit stream of data whilst moving at 60 kph.

That is enough for video on demand, a live broadcast, and web surfing simultaneously".

LG unveils a mobile phone that records TV

LG’s new KB6100 mobile phone allows users to record television shows (in South Korea). Pocket Picks reports.

"It can receive T-DMB digital TV channels (T-DMB is the technology that’s being used in Korea for mobile TV), and record them, letting you watch later on the handset, or on a PC monitor if you connect up the handset."

China to broadcast 2008 Olympics on mobile phone TV

China will start trial broadcasts of TV programs for mobile phones next year, and will use the DMB or digital media broadcasting system to show the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a government newspaper reported Tuesday. [via the Canadian Press]

Korea launches commercial HSDPA service, 3G+

Telecoms Korea reports on it's first commercial HSDPA (High Speed Data Packet Access) service ‘3G+’ on mobile phones.

... The first HSDPA- enabled mobile phone is a Samsung model (W200). See also Samsung's press release.

South Koreans clearly see mobile TV

The New York Times reports on how cell phone users in Seoul have been able to watch television on their cell phones through a government-subsidized technology called Digital Multimedia Broadcasting, or DMB.

..."It's just like watching regular TV," said Lee Jin Kook, 25. There are still drawbacks. Images disappear when the reception is bad, for instance.

... "Since May, about 440,000 subscribers have signed up for satellite-based DMB phone service. DMB phones are slightly more expensive than ordinary cell phones. Users can rotate the liquid-crystal display screen horizontally so that it looks more like a television set."

Korea to Launch Terrestrial DMB Service

Korea will begin terrestrial digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) services on Thursday, reports Digital Chosunilbo. The homegrown technology allows users to watch TV broadcasts and other multimedia content moving at up to 200 km/h on their cellular phones, PDAs and laptops.

"Unlike the satellite DMB service which started earlier this year for a fee of W13,000 (about US$13) a month, the terrestrial DMB service will be free of charge. Users will be able to enjoy the service on the subway starting from next January.

The government said the service will start in the metropolitan area but will be expanded throughout the country by the end of next year."

LG's DMB phone lets you pause live TV for calls

LG Electronics is showcasing a new DMB phone which will allow mobile users watching the big game or whatever, to stop viewing to answer that important phone call.

"A new TiVo-like handset that always stores a cache of what you're watching so you can answer the call and then automatically pick up where you've left off."

[via Engadget]

Samsung Issues Recall of DMB Phones

Samsung Electronics said Friday that it has recalled all of its SCH-B200 model DMB satellite phones for software bugs, reports Digital Chosunilbo. "The company has sold some 200 units of its SCH-B200 phone since it was released Thursday.

A Samsung official said, “Our test team found that errors occurred when the phone's software chose an address to save downloaded programs. That very evening, we voluntarily issued a recall.”

The company has called all 200 customers who bought the phone to inform them of the problem. It plans to return the phones after installing a patch program."

Cellevision Starts Breaking Into Daily Lives

The buzzword in the South Korean mobile phone market is "cellevision," the video-on-the-go services that deliver television to cell phones, reports The Korea Times.

"Local handset makers continue to pump out new models that sport mobile broadcasting capacity and cellevision services are catching on with the nation's tech-savvy users.

TU Media yesterday said more than 100,000 have signed up for its satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) services in less than three months after its commercial debut."

... "Currently, only five satellite DMB-specific phones are available on the market.

Included in the lineup are the SCH-B100, SCH B-130 and SCH B-200 of Samsung Electronics, SB-120 of LG Electronics and IMB 1000 of SK Teletech."

Green light for TV on mobiles

The European Telecommunications Standard Institute ETSI has approved the DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) standards for the delivery of multimedia content and services "on the move". [via netimperative]

"France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the UK are all preparing to conduct DMB trials to enable the integration of audio, data and video.

Free Mobile Broadcasting to Start Nationwide in 2006

Free broadcasting services to handheld devices like cell phones may be offered across South Korea next year after testing later this year in Seoul and the surrounding Kyonggi Province, reports The Korea Times.

"The service, called terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), enables people on the road to enjoy crystal-clear video, theater-like audio and receive data via handheld devices.

Although the government plans to expand the DMB services nationwide next year, experts point out there still remain many obstacles to be overcome for the scheme to work.

"First of all, the government has to find TV channels for every region and that will be a difficult task because most frequencies are already occupied by other services," a Seoul analyst said.

He added that even after the government secures band spectrums, it would have a hard time finding companies that are willing to pour money into the small regional mobile broadcasting market.

"Commercial viability of terrestrial DMB in the regional cities and counties is not so good. I am worried that no companies will pick up the business," the analyst said."

LG Electronics' DMB mobile folder phone

LG Electronics on Thursday introduces the world's first terrestrial DMB folder mobile phone with a screen that rotates 360 degrees.

The LG-SB120 allows users to watch television for three hours and has a 2 megapixel camera.

[via Digital Chosunilbo]

Samsung to release new satellite DMB phone

Samsung Electronics announced Sunday that it would roll out a new satellite DMB phone, reports Telecoms Korea

"The SCH-B130 is a clamshell phone which enables users to “multitask”, meaning they can make calls or send text messages while watching DMB.

Users can watch DMB for a total of 150 minutes and the DMB phone features 1.3M pixel camera, MP3 player, TV out and external memory card(RS-MMC)."

HUD for DMB phones

A new technology incorporating a head up display (HUD) for DMB phones was introduced on Thursday by Sunyang DNT, a developer of cell phone camera modules, reports Telecoms Korea.

"The portable HUD(Head Up Display) projects enlarged image of mobile phone LCD. The technology can display 12-13 inch wide virtual image of screens of mobile phones, PMP and DMB phones utilizing optical lens.

Sunyang plans to finish the development in August and mass produce the product from September."

Cell Phone-Based Broadcasting Starts

TU Media, a unit of Korea's foremost mobile operator SK Telecom, on Sunday started to beam the signal of satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) to cell phones for the first time in the world, according to The Korea Times.

"TU Media now runs seven satellite DMB video channels _ news, sports, soap operas, games, movies, and the firm's own station _ plus 20 audio channels.

Currently, just two models of satellite DMB-capable handsets are available _ Samsung Electronics' SCH-B100 and SK Teletech's IBM-1000."

Satellite DMB to Re-Run Over-the-Air Programs

Mobile couch potatoes will be able to watch over-the-air programs soon through cell phones subscribed to satellite digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), reports The Korea Times.

"The Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC) on Tuesday allowed the nation's terrestrial stations to rerun programs via satellite DMB, or video-on-the-go services.

Satellite DMB enables people on the move to watch crystal-clear video, theater-quality audio and data through handheld terminals of cell phones or in-car devices."

New Satellite DMB Phone

“Slide and rotation” style DMB phone featuring a 260,000-color LCD and versatile functions ranging from TV-out function and MP3 player to file viewing.

"Samsung's new B200 boasts a horizontal screen that allows users not only to benefit from easier viewing of DMB services, but also to comfortably enjoy multimedia functions, such as photography and games.

In addition, it is the first model to adopt Samsung's innovative “slide and rotation” form factor, where the screen slides up and rotates horizontally, further enhancing user convenience". [via Technology News Daily ]

LG Releases First Terrestrial DMB Phone

LG Electronics announced Thursday that it started supplying the first commercial terrestrial DMB phone to mobile carriers, Telecoms Korea reports.

Terrestrial DMB service are scheduled to begin in June.

"TDMB phone features a built-in TV antenna, TV screen capture and recording."

Click here for more DMB and cell phone related articles

Mobile Broadcasting to Reduce Disaster Damage

South Korea aims to play an important role in disaster preparation in the Asian area with its cutting-edge technology, according to The Korea Times.

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) said yesterday it had recommended Asian countries adopt terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) as their disaster warning system.

T-DMB is a promising cross between telecom and broadcasting, enabling people to enjoy crystal-clear video, CD-quality audio and data on the move via mobile handsets.

When an early warning system is established in relation to TDMB, it would warn users of imminent disasters through the T-DMB terminals."

Samsung's Satellite DMB Phone, SCH-B100

Samsung introduced a satellite DMB phone (SCH-B100) in the run up to the launch of satellite DMB broadcasting service of TU Media.

Samsung will release about 10,000 satellite DMB phones in January and continue increasing the production.

The handset which shows digital broadcast programs, features rotating screen and many other multimedia functions, Samsung said. By Seong-ju Lee for Telecoms Korea

LG Successful in Demonstrating Terrestrial DMB

LG Electronics, which developed the world's first terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) phone last November, demonstrated its DMB phone in Paris to 100 businessmen and government officials of Korea and France.

LG's 8 inch terrestrial DMB TV , which was displayed in the demonstration, also drew keen attention, LG said.

LG said that the success of the demonstration will make it a leader in terrestrial DMB technology in Europe."

by Seong-ju Lee for Telecoms Korea.

Related articles:

-- More on LG Electronics New Broadcast Phone

-- LG Unveils New Broadcast Phone

More on LG Electronics New Broadcast Phone

From Mobile Pipeline:

"Korea's LG Electronics this week unveiled what it claims is the first cell phone that can receive and play terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) television signals. (cf LG Unveils New Broadcast Phone)

A recent spate of mobile phones are able to stream television broadcasts transmitted over the Internet. However, LG says it has put a tiny DMB television receiver in its phone. That means the phone can receive over-the-air television signals, although not sources such as cable and satellite broadcasts.

The system enables users to speak on the phone at the same time they are watching television, according to a statement released by the company. It said it used a team of 130 researchers to develop the technology over the last two years and has filed 150 patents related to the device.

For good measure, the phone also supports MP3 playback and has a built-in 1.3 megapixel cameraphone. The company also insists the device has long battery life. The device has a 2.4-inch high-definition LCD screen.

LG Unveils New Broadcast Phone

LG Electronics, the world's fifth-largest mobile phone manufacturer, on Monday unveiled brand-new broadcasting handset based on locally developed technology, reports The Korea Times .

The phone, weighing 170 grams, will be operated under homegrown technology called the terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), which will be commercially launched from next year.

Terrestrial DMB allows people to enjoy seamless video, CD-quality audio and data on the move through mobile gadgets like cell phones or in-car devices.

``Up until now, terminals for terrestrial DMB were too bulky to carry and were not equipped with cell phone functions. We overcame such obstacles with up-to-date technologies,'' LG said in a statement."