About OMVC InitiativesDC Showcase

Washington DC Showcase (WSC)

The OMVC's Washington Consumer Showcase of Mobile DTV launched in the first quarter of 2010. It is intended to characterize consumer behavior, attitudes, and expectations about Mobile DTV as well as to accelerate consumer interest and adoption of the technology and test various business models.

The Consumer Showcase features multiple broadcast TV stations and receiving devices, local and national programming, and interactive service features such as an Electronic Service Guide and new advertising applications. Audience metrics will be collected and analyzed using a return channel in connected devices, and market research will also include online feedback, interviews and focus groups.

In addition to local TV broadcasters, national content providers are participating in the Showcase, as well as transmission and encoding vendors, consumer device manufacturers, middleware companies, a wireless carrier, and lead market research firms.

Participating Stations, with their respective network affiliations shown in parenthesis, are:

I. WDCA-DT - Fox Television Stations (myTV)

II. WUSA-DT - Gannett Broadcasting (my20)

III. WPXW-DT - ION Media Networks (The CW)

IV. WRC-DT - NBC Universal (NBC)

V. WHUT-DT - PBS/Howard University/Public Radio

VI. WNVC-DT - MHz Networks

VII. WNUV-DT - Sinclair Broadcast Group (the CW)

VIII. WTTG – Fox Television Stations (Fox)

IX. WFDC - Univision

Four new Mobile DTV receiving devices are being used by Washington-area viewers:

A specially modified, non-commercial version of the Samsung Moment™ mobile phone, which is built on Google’s Android platform, has a bright AMOLED screen great for indoors and outdoors, and is available exclusively from Sprint. The modified units, to be utilized by 200 consumers, are able to receive live digital TV with the built-in Samsung receiver chip;
Inspiron Mini 10 Entertainment prototype netbooks from Dell equipped with an HD display, Mobile DTV circuitry and reception antenna;
Mobile Digital TV / Portable DVD Player combos from LG Electronics, which incorporate LG’s latest Mobile DTV receiver chip;
Tivizen Mobile DTV receivers from Valups, which receive over the-air Mobile DTV and beam it to an awaiting Wi-Fi device (allowing Mobile DTV on products like the iPad, iPhone, laptops, and other devices.)

In addition to the local TV stations, national TV content providers, transmission and encoding vendors, device manufacturers, middleware companies and leading market research firms all are participating in the showcase, including:

Wireless carrier Sprint;
Global satellite operator SES WORLD SKIES, which is providing service development expertise for the Showcase;
TV transmitter and encoder manufacturers Harris Broadcast, Rohde & Schwarz, and Thomson Grass Valley, and encoding equipment supplier Envivio;
Equipment suppliers Nagravision, iSet, and DTVInteractive;
Middleware and Electronic Service Guide providers Expway and Roundbox;
Component supplier Hauppauge Computer Works;
Professional service firms Harris Interactive, Rentrak Corporation,
Tribune Media Services, and RRD;
The Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) and the Ad Council;
Premium TV programmers Fox Cable, NBC Universal Cable, and others to be announced.