A New Look at Mobile TV

Back at the turn of the century (I really, really like using that phrase) when we were all converting our TVs from analog to digital, there was  group of engineers working on a parallel system that would allow regular TV broadcasts to be picked up by portable devices, especially devices in cars, trains and busses.  It should come as no surprise for anyone who receives their TV programs over-the-air using an antenna, that the new digital channels are much more difficult to receive than the analog signals of a decade ago.  Receiving these regular digital signals in any moving vehicle is next to impossible.

To address this problem, engineers developed a special technology called the ATSC-Mobile DTV standard.  About eight years ago I had the opportunity to serve on the initial engineering committee that developed this system so I have more than a passing interest in how it has developed. 

The short answer is that the development of Mobile DTV has been at best glacially slow.  More than 130 TV stations throughout the US broadcast these special signals.  In our area Channels 5, 9 and 19 are currently among this group.  The issue has not been the availability of channels; it has been the availability of receivers.   Mobile DTV uses a much different technology than the technology that allows watching video on smart phones or tablet computers.  That may soon change.

At the Consumer Electronics Show held last week RCA announced a new tablet computer that has Mobile DTV receive capacity built in.  This device will include a standard over-the-air DTV tuner, along with a mobile TV tuner enabling consumers to watch live, local TV while they are on the go. According to RCA the device is the first tablet to feature an integrated mobile TV tuner.  The tablet has an 8-inch screen and is both a portable TV set and a fully functional high-definition Android touch screen tablet with Wi-Fi, dual cameras, and GPS functionality.

It remains to be seen if this product will jump-start the Mobile DTV market.  I have my doubts that it will take off in cities like Cincinnati where most commuters do not use public transit.  In New York watching the Today Show while riding on a bus on your way to work would be great.  Watching while driving on I-74, not so great.

How We Watch TV Continues to Change

January is always a bellwether month for the electronics industry.  Later this month in Las Vegas, thousands of digerati will convene to review the newest offerings from the world’s technology giants.  This year promises to introduce several technologies aimed at simplifying the single most popular electronic experience: watching TV.

 

In years past the emphasis was on selling the quality and size of the picture and jaw breaking sound for our movies, sports and games.  With 60 inch flat panel TVs selling for less than 1000 bucks, the profit margin for equipment is waning so manufacturers and program distributors are looking to change the way you receive TV rather than sell you a larger, brighter TV set.

 

With more and more of us opting for watching TV on our personal schedules rather than abiding by some arbitrary decision by a New York network executive, there must be a change in the devices we use to view.

 

For years, Netflix, Hulu and others have offered on-demand viewing of programming using a computer or, more recently, a tablet.  The issue has always been connecting the computer to the large TV.  It could be done, but many found it to be perplexing and not always reliable.

 

I have a relative who recently asked for some help as he or someone in his family had inadvertently pressed one or a combination of buttons on one of his several remote controls rendering his TV inoperative.  While he has several devices connected, i.e. DIRECTV, Apple TV, a DVD player and a game or two, none were viewable.  There has to be a simpler way.

 

The new TVs coming to market will continue to have great picture and sound quality with the added benefit of ease of operation.  Rather than several devices connected with cables to the TV, the TVs have high speed wifi connections and integrated software allowing for access to video and TV programs from most any source.  The on-screen program guide will display your options.  Once you choose, the TV will handle making all the connections.  So if you want to watch Downton Abbey the TV will find it for you.  It may come from PBS Online, Hulu, Netflix or even over the air.  It matters not.  You choose the program to watch and the TV will find it and display it.

 

While not widely available yet, look for some models operating in a “Siri-like” mode allowing you to just verbally tell your TV to find your program.  If you activate the parental controls and your teenager should ask for some less than appropriate program, the TV might just respond with, “I’m sorry Dave, I am afraid I can’t do that.”

Looking Ahead to 2013

Each year at this time I turn on my digital crystal ball (it now has a LED light source instead of incandescent) to see what technologies and products will be popular in the New Year.  Looking over the past few years my predictions have been pretty much on target and I am confident that these will be no different.

 

Look for an increasing number of ‘tablets’ coming to market.  With the development of Apps for most any task from business to gaming and everything in between, the iPad will have more competition.  The traditional PC with a keyboard, mouse and monitor will not be disappearing from the office setting, but many tasks now performed on a lap top will migrate to tablets.   The ease of use of touch screen technologies and availability of high speed internet access using 4G networks will allow for seamless operation most anywhere.

 

Voice Recognition technologies will explode.  Products like Siri from Apple will be improved making interaction with our phones, tablets and regular computers hands free.  Just like Captain Kirk asking the computer to lay in a course to some far off galaxy, you already can ask Siri for the closest Dunkin’ Donuts.  Look for new Apps that call the store and place an order for your favorite coffee and jelly filled treat.

 

With the 4G network build-out will come more internet applications available in your car.  Access to online music services like Pandora or Spotify will be integrated into the car’s audio system and subscriptions to services like Sirius satellite radio will continue to erode.

 

The TV in the family room will have many more viewing options.  With subscriptions to Hulu and Netflix online increasing and vast improvements in video quality of internet delivered content, more of us will eschew cable bills and opt for the a la carte options of online TV viewing.

 

The smart phone will increasingly become the modern day Swiss Army Knife.  With the number of apps expanding almost exponentially, leaving the house in the morning without our phone will be more inconvenient than leaving without wallet or purse.  There will also be more discussion on privacy issues that are exacerbated by the use of smart phones especially with the GPS location apps.  

 

In the lab, look for 3D printing technology to become common place.  This technology is akin to the replicators used on Star Trek.  It is developing at an unbelievable pace and already shows promise of addressing the shortage of human organs for transplant.

 

Hold on tight, 2013 is here and the Mayans are going back to the drawing board.  Happy New Year!

 

A Visit From the Geeks

        … with sincere apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

’Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the land
Not a computer was working, there was no broadband.
The new apps were loaded on tablets with care,
In hopes someone from Bell or Time Warner soon would be there.

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of a new Surface or Kindle danced in their heads;
Unable to Google or chat on Facebook
The kids thought Santa just may be a crook.

 

When out on the driveway two trucks pulled in,
All sprang to our windows to investigate the din.

The LEDs reflecting on the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of high-tech to everything below.
When, what should appear to my wondering eye,
But one rep from Bell and the other, a cable guy.
 

More punctual that most, with tool belts they came,
Both knocked on the door and asked for our name:
“No Smith, Jones or Johnson do we have on our lists
Are you sure that dispatch might not have missed?”

A quick call to the office confirmed our plight

And both said they could set things aright.

 

They spoke no more, but went straight to their tasks,
One checked the phone line but the other just asked,
“Isn’t that old tech?” He explained,

“Cable is better for the internet to be sustained.”

Back and forth they argued well into the night

While we feared getting back on line may be out of sight.

And then, in a twinkling, we heard up above
The clanking of a ladder and someone shout “Shove!”

As we drew in our heads, and were turning around,
Down the chimney the DirectTV man came with a bound.

He was dressed all in blue, from head to toe,
And his face indicated that he was someone to know.

A bundle of tools he had flung on his back,
A drill and saw and, of course, a spare battery pack.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And installed a new dish, receiver and one added perk:

A new satellite modem was part of the deal

For only $150 a month, what a steal.

 

This will bring your internet back he inferred;

It not too late to order on line he assured.
So we logged on to Amazon, Ebay and more
And found free shipping from the UPS Store.

With our broadband back we were all in awe

And bought most everything on line that we saw.
There were iPads and iPods, a new HDTV,
A laptop, cell phone and a Blu-Ray DVD.

As the three went to their trucks and were driving away

“Don’t forget the extra batteries” we heard them all say.

Make Your Own Video Card

If you are like me, each year during the holiday season you receive one or more electronic holiday greeting cards.  Most of the time these are created using one of the many on line services like www.JibJab.com   While these services are fine, even the most creative cards using their templates are pretty impersonal.

If you have a video camera and about an hour you can make your own card that might well be appreciated by loved ones no matter where they may be this holiday season.  The complexity of the card will depend on what devices you have available.  For example, if all you have is a smart phone with a built-in video camera your creation will need to be very simple.  If you have a video camera and access to some editing software on your computer like Movie Maker from Microsoft or iMovie from Apple, you can be a bit more ambitious.

If you are keeping it simple using only a smart phone, decide what image or images will be the most meaningful for those who can’t be with you.  It can be as simple as video of the wreath on your front door or trays of fresh baked goods on the counter in the kitchen that they might remember from their childhood.  The holiday season is all about memories, and bringing those memories to life can bring a lot of joy.

If you have access to video editing software you can be a lot more creative by adding music, text and video effects to the card.  Don’t get carried away.  Simplicity is often the best way to communicate.

Once you have completed your video, post it to www.Youtube.com and choose the “private” settings.  Copy the video’s URL address into an email and send it to those who you want to view the card.  If all the recipients are on Facebook or Google+ you can use that to send the card.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSt1Q96p7AM As an example, I have created a sample card that you can view there. It may give you some ideas.  It took me about 45 minutes to shoot, edit and post.

More Cool Gift Ideas

Last week we began our annual virtual shopping spree to help you find that perfect gift to put under the tree this year.  There are some really great items that won’t cost a lot of money.  In fact I continue to be amazed at some of the features that are available today for pennies that cost many dollars only a year or so ago.

More and more of us are using our smart phones or other devices to play MP3 music files.  While ear buds or headphones are fine when we are on the go, there are some times we want a real speaker.  The speakers found in iPhones and other portable devices are pretty lame if you really want to enjoy some Frampton licks or a Beethoven symphony.

For about $60 you can get a Bluetooth speaker system that allows audio from any Bluetooth enabled device to be played with great fidelity.  The Creative D100 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is a good choice. You can find it at www.Amazon.com  as well as at many local stores.  If you have the money, there are models from Bose (www.bose.com)

which cost about $300 that will fill any room with outstanding fidelity.

As we collect more and more digital stuff, we all need to find a safe place to keep it.  There are several inexpensive external hard drives that connect to your PC using an USB cable.  Toshiba makes one that holds 500GB and is about the size of a deck of cards.  So you can store about 142,000 digital photos or 131,000 digital music files or 410 downloaded digital movies on the device. Since it is portable, you can plug it into any computer when you are on the road.  This model sells for about $50 and can be purchased locally or on line.

An increasing number of people are choosing to watch their favorite TV programs and movies from Internet sources rather than from the traditional cable, satellite or over the air providers.  Connecting that large flat screen in the living room to the Internet is now made easier with availability of several streaming devices.  A good choice at $50 is the Magnavox HD Streaming Player.  It connects to your TV using a regular HDMI cable and connects to your home’s network and the Internet using wifi.  Once connected, any programming from the Internet (e.g. Hulu, YouTube, Netflix) can be displayed on your TV. 

For those who use Apple products, you might consider the AppleTV streaming system.  It provides all the features above as well as connecting easily with other Apple products like the iPhone and iPad.  It costs about $100.

If you have not experienced the quality of these Internet delivered services you will be surprised.  You will also be delighted by the reasonable monthly prices for Hulu and Netflix over many cable and satellite options.

I hope that these suggestions help in your search for the perfect gift.  Have a happy and peaceful holiday season.

Gifts for the Digeratti

This week and next I am going to take you on a virtual shopping spree to help you find that perfect gift for the technology geek in you family.  There are some really cool offerings this year.  Some items are very useful but others are just plain fun.  Some are both.

 Let’s start with a plain fun idea.  It seems that remote controlled helicopters are all the rage this year.  There is one model that will wow the most jaded technology buff.  The Helo TC ™ available from Verizon takes remote control flight to a new level. Rather than using a traditional remote control pad this one uses your iPhone or iPad as the controller.  You can fly the craft with touch commands or record and store up to three flight plans. Make up routes among the furniture, missions to fly, obstacles to avoid, goals to achieve, and replay them later with your friends.  There is a great video that shows the Helo TC™ in action at http://www.griffintechnology.com/helo-tc-touch-controlled-toy-helicopter   You will pay about $50 at Verizon stores or on line.

 For a gift that is a bit more practical but still super cool you might consider the magic cube™projection keyboard.  Since many of us use our smart phones and tablets to take notes or write longer documents, we are frustrated by the small touch screen keyboards or mini keyboards with “chic let” size buttons. This compact and versatile product is a projection keyboard and multi-touch mouse, all in one easy-to-use product. It connects easily using Bluetooth to the latest iPhone, iPad and Android devices.  Once activated, the built in laser projects a full size QWERTY keyboard on any flat surface.  So the table top, a white piece of paper on your lap or even a flat rock in the park becomes a keyboard.  Touching any virtual key produces a sound like a traditional computer keyboard making it easier to use.  http://www.virtual-laser-devices.com/?an=vlk-new   The magic cube™ is priced about $160 and can be purchased on Amazon or directly from the manufacturer.

Since most of us charge our smart phones over night, here’s a product that will not only keep your phone fully charged but allows it to be used as a clock radio.  The iHome™ portable stereo speaker system for iPhone and iPod offers two independent alarms and great sound. You can awake to your iPod or iPhone playlist at different times on different days. As many of us use our mobile phone for our home phone, this device allows you to have it close by when you sleep and have access to all the music you have stored.  http://www.ihomeaudio.com/?gclid=CJLLsK_g57MCFYs7MgodTw0AGQ  Plan on spending about $40 bucks.  It is available at most big box electronics stores.

Next week we will look at three more fun and useful gifts.