LAS VEGAS, – The co-developer of the ATSC Mobile Digital Television (DTV) Candidate Standard, LG Electronics, is demonstrating innovative new handheld and mobile DTV receiver products here this week at the NATPE ’09 Market & Conference.

Speaking on the “Future of Mobile DTV” panel today, LG Electronics Vice President John Taylor announced support for broadcasters’ mobile DTV deployments in 2009.  The National Association of Television Program Executives audience heard about new LG products, including:

  * A portable DVD player with a wide 7-inch LCD swivel screen and integrated ATSC Mobile DTV tuner
  * The first ATSC Mobile DTV MP3 player with a 3-inch touch-screen display
  * A mobile phone with a large 3-inch touch-screen display with Electronic Service Guide (ESG) functions, including TV Guide® program guide
  * A mobile phone with a 2.8-inch dual-touch screen with QWERTY keyboard
  * A USB “dongle” receiver for laptop PCs

LG Electronics also has collaborated with leading automotive electronics suppliers, including Kenwood, Visteon Corporation, Delphi and Hyundai-Kia, providing technical support for in-car ATSC Mobile DTV receivers.

“For programmers and broadcasters alike, mobile DTV reaches more eyeballs. And, for consumer electronics manufacturers, mobile DTV represents significant new opportunities as digital TV stations deliver a wide range of exciting programming using the new standard,” Taylor said.  LG is offering a Reference Design Kit to help other manufacturers develop and deploy ATSC Mobile devices.   

Brandon Burgess, chairman of the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), an alliance of more than 800 broadcasters promoting the new standard, said, “Broadcasters applaud LG’s leadership, both in the development of the standard and in deploying mobile DTV receivers to support our launch plans in 2009 and beyond.  The timely introduction of a wide variety of ATSC Mobile DTV-compatible devices will be crucial to the creation of a robust mobile digital TV market.”

At NATPE, the LG devices are receiving multiple program streams broadcast live by a local Sinclair Broadcast Group TV station. Demonstration participants include LG, Harris Corporation, Zenith, Sinclair, Cool Music Network and the OMVC. The mobile DTV demonstration is featured in the “What’s Next Tech Premieres” showcase of new services for producing, distributing and/or monetizing television content.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more information, please visit http://www.LGusa.com.