At CES, Korean manufacturer Valups has announced Tivit, a $120 accessory that allows mobile phones and computers to receive mobile digital television signals transmitted by local U.S. broadcasters over WiFi.
Based on similar product sold in Japan that allows WiFi phone users to watch TV signals, the product will reach U.S. viewers as local TV broadcasters add mobile DTV capability to their digital transmission systems.
The Tivit is smaller and lighter than a deck of playing cards. It's about 2in x 3.5in in size, less than 1/2in thick, and weighs 2.8oz. It's battery powered and can run for three hours of continuous TV reception. It comes equipped with a USB connection for charging and a standard wall-plug charger.
Designed to work with 3G Apple iPhone, third-generation iPod Touch, BlackBerry devices with Wi-Fi, Motorola Android phones and Windows PCs (XP service pack 3, Vista, and Windows 7 operating systems), the Tivit receives the DTV signals from local TV broadcasters and beams the TV signal via WiFi to a receiving WiFi device compatible with the real-time streaming protocol (RTSP.) Each Tivit can send a mobile DTV broadcast signal to a single WiFi device.
In addition to the Tivit, Valups is also introducing a mobile DTV module (model VMA-1000L1) that can be integrated into existing consumer electronics products such as a portable DVD player, portable TVs and car navigation systems.
Development of the Tivit for U.S. viewers was partially funded by the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), a group that represents local broadcast TV stations interested in the technology. OMVC is the sponsor of the CES Mobile DTV TechZone.
