System in package to bring DVB-H TV to handsets

Philips will deliver a system-in-package (SiP) enabling TV on mobile in Q4 2005.

Philips will deliver a system-in-package (SiP) enabling TV on mobile in Q4 2005.

The solution, based on the DVB-H standard, contains all the functionality of a complete digital TV receiver in an area the size of a thumbnail.

It will enable consumers to connect to live TV, as well as pictures, movies and music, all on the move.

Philips will be demonstrating its DVB-H capabilities this week at the 3GSM World Congress, Cannes, France, on stand A17, Hall 1.

Facilitating the development of TV on mobile, Philips will roll out a small system board in Q2 2005 to support handset vendors participating in the next phase of DVB-H trials.

This will be followed later in the year with a full SiP for DVB-H that will offer a reduced footprint and lower power consumption.

Low power consumption will mean consumers will be able to watch TV for over 10 hours before needing to recharge their phone, and the small chip size will make it easier to integrate into the mobile phone.

With DVB-H, operators can also broadcast mobile phone software updates to a large number of handsets simultaneously, enabling the addition of revenue-generating applications after a phone has been purchased.

To further enhance the offering, Philips has partnered with Silicon and Software Systems (S3) to integrate its onHandTV software into the solution, an advanced DVB-H-compliant product that complements the Philips SiP.

As part of the agreement, S3 will join the Philips' Nexperia Partner Programme, an initiative to enable independent software vendors (ISVs) and Integrators to deliver middleware, applications and reference designs based on the company's Nexperia family of semiconductors.

To enhance the user experience of TV on mobile, Philips Software offers a complete application that supports H.264 video and AAC audio for high-quality viewing and listening.

It also incorporates Philips' world-class picture and audio enhancement IP from its proven consumer electronics products, including Natural Motion for smooth, easy-to-watch images and "smart colour mapping" for attractive colours on LCD displays.

High-performance features such as these will play a critical role in creating sustained consumer demand for mobile TV services.

"This is a revolutionary development, integrating all the components of a digital TV receiver into a space small enough to fit into a mobile phone", said Mario Rivas, Executive Vice President Communications Businesses, Philips Semiconductors.

"As a broadcast technology, watching TV on the mobile phone is the natural progression from listening to radio and downloading video clips".

"Our work in the Broadcast Mobile Convergence (BMCO) trial, in Berlin, showed the impact for the consumer will be much more spectacular".

As part of the Berlin-based BMCO project, Philips was the first semiconductor supplier to be involved in mobile TV trial transmissions, working with industry leaders from the content and mobile industries.

The project studied the use of DVB-H to broadcast conventional TV, as well as innovative interactive content designed specifically for the platform, to mobile phones and portable digital TVs.

In addition to implementing the technology, the trial also looked at user acceptance of the services, finding that participants extensively used and enjoyed the services offered - at home, on the road and at work.

Of the 512 users that took part in the survey, 78% stated that they thought TV on mobile was a good idea, with 82% willing to pay for content.

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