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        TV tuner piggybacks on Pocket PCs

        Doug | Date: Jan 13, 2006 | Comments: 1



        EOps Technology has announced what it claims is the world's first analog TV tuner to connect to handheld devices through an SDIO interface. The SDIO TV tuner supports various national versions of both NTSC and PAL and receives VHF and UHF channels.




        (Click here for larger image)

        The tuner is about the same size as a typical PDA, to which it can be attached with a self-adhesive velcro patch. The back of the tuner includes a folding stand that sets the attached PDA at a comfortable viewing angle.

        The 4-bit SDIO card (shown on the right), compatible with Bsquare's SDIO Now!, is permanently attached to the tuner with a short cable. EOps says the unit incorporates an innovative "lanyard style" high-gain antenna and features built-in "signal booster technology." Nevertheless, the company cautions that a "strong TV signal is required for over-the-air analog broadcast reception." An RF-in socket is provided for connection to an external antenna.

        The tuner displays video at 240 x 180 pixels in either portrait or landscape at up to 20 frames per second, depending on the handheld device's SDIO slot speed and processor speed. For handhelds with VGA screens, the software automatically scales the image up. The unit is supplied with stereo headphones, as it is unable to use the PDA's speaker.

        According to EOps, the SDIO TV tuner is compatible with most devices running Pocket PC 2002, Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 Second Edition, and Windows Mobile 5.0. It is expected to be available in March.



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