Audiovox said it will deliver a new Mobile DTV add-on tuner for the car that will include a new Internet back channel, to ship April next year at the earliest.
The device will bring free TV to an existing car TV screen (even at highway speeds) and it will come with a glass mount antenna and a remote control.
As put forth in new guidelines for Mobile DTV from broadcasters, the device will have an Internet data connection so broadcasters can “know” what programs the user watches (for advertising purposes).
There are already a few Mobile DTV devices on the market which do not have the back channel that is called a conditional access system.
“That is really going to be the specification that everyone will need to follow, we believe,” said Audiovox Electronics president Tom Malone.
Audiovox has not yet decided whether its tuner will achieve this Internet connection by linking to the user’s smartphone or through a built in cellular modem.
Malone explained that if the consumer doesn’t connect to the Internet during a one-week period, the product might ‘go dark,’ (broadcasters would cut off service).
The additional cost to the product for including conditional access is not expected to be prohibitive.
“My biggest concern is not will the module work or CAS [conditional access], it’s the awareness of the consumer that Mobile DTV exists and how are they going to get that message out that this technology is available. That’s going to be the greater risk,” said Malone in an interview.
According to new rules (“device profiles”) issued by broadcaster group the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), future Mobile DTV should use either a WiFi, 3G or 4G modem or smartphone connection to provide a way for broadcasters to monitor consumer viewing habits.
Audiovox reiterated its commitment to the category. “We feel this category is worth continuing to invest in, like we did in FLO TV. Delivering content to the car is still very desirable. We’re watching closely all developments in the area,” Malone said.
Accele, which makes a combination ATSC/Mobile DTV add on tuner (that receives both standard ATSC TV broadcasts and digital, Mobile DTV broadcasts) said it will wait and see how the market progresses before developing a new product with conditional access.
See related stories:
Car Mobile DTV Products May Need Internet
Mobile DTV to Reach 2/3rds of US Homes in 12 Months
Source: CEoutlook
