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Service sends "live cable TV" to Windows Mobile handhelds
Apr. 11, 2006

VDC Corp. is set to launch a nationwide service that aims to deliver "live cable TV" to desktop PCs and Windows Mobile handhelds, without requiring special interfaces or software. "Television On the Desktop" (TOD) boasts a "true multi-channel television-like experience" on broadband-connected PCs, wireless-enabled handhelds, and EVDO-enabled phones, according to the company.

VDC says that video delivered over broadband Internet has generally suffered from shaky images, broken audio, and freezing, due to being streamed at a constant, relatively low bit-rate in the range of 300-700 Kbps. In contrast, the company says, its proprietary technology captures, encodes, and streams multi-bit-rate video in a live format at rates up to 3,000 Kbps, without requiring special software or configuration. Additionally, the system is not constrained by channel capacity -- it can deliver an "infinite number" of unique "cable-type" television channels to subscribers, the company claims.

VDC says its streaming video content is available via a proprietary "peel-and-stick" viewer or "virtual television set," which can be placed anywhere on the desktop. This allows users to view the streaming video while surfing the Web or using other applications. The virtual television acts like a "real" television, with a channel changer, volume control, and power switch.

The company says its programming, available at vdc.com, mirrors that of traditional cable offerings, with both "linear channels" and video-on-demand content, and with tiered levels of service for premium channels. Subscribers pay a monthly fee and simply login to the Web site to begin watching on any compatible broadband-connected PC, wireless-connected PDA, or EVDO-enabled mobile phone.

Compatibility requirements and availability

Microsoft's Windows Media Player is required to use VDC's video streaming service on PCs. The company says its service works on PCs running Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista with Internet Explorer version 5.5 or greater. Additionally it works on "any Windows powered mobile device, including those running on current 3G and EVDO cellular networks." In the case of smartphones and PDAs, Windows Mobile 5.0 or later is required.

VDC says that at launch, it will offer 20 channels of programming, including two news channels, Fashion TV, The Pentagon Channel, and NASA Television. The basic monthly subscription rate is around $12. The company plans to add several channels per month for the remainder of the year.

The service is set to go live April 12, according to the company.



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