| DVB-H TV demo, reference designs target Windows Mobile |
Jun. 07, 2006
 Digital video software specialist CyberLink will demonstrate TV broadcast -- using DVB-H standards -- onto Windows Mobile devices at Computex in Taipei this week. The company also plans to co-develop a DVB-H hardware/software reference design with its fabless semiconductor partner, DiBcom, this year, based on DiBcom's recently introduced DIB-7070H chipset.
DVB-H
DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting to Handhelds) technology adapts the successful DVB-T standard for digital terrestrial television to the specific requirements of handheld, battery-powered receivers. DVB-H offers an "improved end user experience" relative to current video streaming services over cellular networks, according to the DVB Project consortium. DVB-H field trials began last year in the U.S. and several European countries, and widespread DVB-H roll-out is expected to begin this year, the consortium says.
"CyberLink DVB-H TV Solution and Windows Mobile enable access to anytime, anywhere TV programming," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "Through our cooperation with Microsoft, and our relationships with leading industry broadcast content and hardware providers, CyberLink is delivering a market-ready product for handheld makers."
Hardware/software reference design
Cyberlink and DiBcom say they are co-developing a complete hardware/software package for DVB-H on Windows Mobile 5.0, for introduction by the end of 2006. The companies have worked together for many years, and will now combine Cyberlink's new DVB-H application building blocks with DiBcom's highly-integrated DVB-H technology in its recently introduced DIB-7070H chip, according to their joint announcement.
 The technology will initially be implemented in the form of an DVB-H SDIO card (pictured on the right), along with Windows Mobile 5.0 software support. The software will encompass a full software stack, including power management, field-tested support for handover, and enhanced zapping time, according to CyberLink.
Cyberlink's DVB-H software
CyberLink's Mobile TV Solution software for DVB-H incorporates technologies that support the playback of audio/video bitstreams and Electronic Service Guide (ESG) data to standards-based devices, CyberLink says.
CyberLink DVB-H software architecture
The company lists the following key features and functions of its DVB-H software package: - Supports Windows Mobile and Windows CE 5.0
- Runs on an ARM-based CPU (Intel XScale, ARM9, and ARM11, etc) with 16MB memory
- Plays HE-AAC v2 audio and H.264 video received over a broadcast carrier
- DVB-H Datacast -- compliant with the DVB-CBMS specifications for IP
- IPDemux - for capturing and de-multiplexing IP packets which can contain either ESG-related data over a FLUTE/ALC protocol, H.264 video payload over a RTP protocol, or HE-AAC v2 payload over a RTP protocol
- Highly efficient H.264 video decoder and HE-AAC v2 audio decoder for mobile devices
- ESG Handling -- for handling ESG bootstrap data, ESG XML Fragments, Data Repositories, etc.
- TV Application -- consisting of TV A/V Presentation, DVB-H Channel Selection, and ESG Presentation modules to parse and display XML-based ESG content
Cyberlink has previously developed software such as PowerCinema for Windows XP and XP Embedded platforms.
DiBcom's DIB-7070H chipset
Integrated in a very small package, the DIB7070-H chipset supports a multi-band receiver capable of receiving broadcast signals in VHF, UHF, and L-bands in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., according to DiBcom. The chipset's all-CMOS technology offers very low-power consumption -- 0.4W in continuous mode, and approximately 40mW in DVB-H mode based on the "time-slicing" process -- that adapts automatically to the signal quality. The chipset also supports offering multiple DVB-H services simultaneously, DiBcom says.
DIB-7070H chipset block diagram
(Click image to enlarge)
DiBcom describes itself as a fabless semiconductor company that designs high-performance chipsets to enable low-power, mobile, and portable TV reception everywhere, and at speeds exceeding 130 mph.
Availability
A complete hardware and software DVB-H reference design will be available in Q4 of 2006, and DVB-H products based on it are expected to reach market in Q1 of 2007, CyberLink said.
The company will be showcasing its DVB-H technology in Microsoft's stand at Computex, and in its own guest suite at the Grand Hyatt hotel.
CyberLink earlier said it would also be showcasing DVB-H support for Windows CE devices incorporating Siano Mobile Silicon's SMS1000 DVB-H chipset at Computex.
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