2013 begins with a bang for long-suffering mobile DTV enthusiasts. In advance of CES, RCA showed their DMT580 tablet TV. This all-in-one device follows the old tradition among second-tier electronics manufacturers of piling on the features instead of being ahead of the pack.
The DMT580 starts with a middle-of-the-road Android tablet running Android 4.0, at a not terribly attractive price point. The real benefit here comes with the addition of both HDTV and MDTV tuners. This is the first device on the market of any kind that combines a regular digital TV tuner for when you’re staying still with a mobile DTV tuner for when you’re in motion. The screen isn’t quite HD at 1024×768 but it’s better than most portable TVs which top out at about 500 pixels high.
RCA is a “zombie brand,” a once-great brand whose name has been licensed or sold to other lesser interests. It’s one of the top tier, though, with the TV hardware licensing handled by Technicolor, the same people who make the excellent COM1000 system. It’s not clear who will manufacture the DMT580.
Will customers flock to an all-in-one device? Is there a market for one handheld that will stream Netflix (when in wi-fi range) then switch over to digital TV? How seamless is the transition from digital TV to mobile DTV? Is it a matter of launching different apps or is it more automatic? It would be great if the device switched from regular HDTV to mobile DTV automatically if the internal gyroscope sensed motion, but that’s probably too much to ask.
We’ll be on the floor trying to nail down the details and score a demonstration tablet for a review later this week! Until then, here’s the press release:
LAS VEGAS, NV / NEW YORK — Jan 04, 2013 / (Turn Buzz into Leads | Press Release Distribution, Global Media Database with Miranda Tan and MyPRGenie) — The worlds of TV viewing and handheld computing come together in the new RCA Mobile TV Tablet (Model DDA850R) introduced next week at the International CES as the electronics industry’s first dual-tuner mobile TV. This device will include a standard over-the-air DTV tuner, along with a mobile TV tuner that is compatible with Dyle(TM)mobile TV, a service that enables consumers to watch live, local TV while they are on the go. The RCA Mobile TV Tablet is the first tablet device to feature an integrated mobile TV tuner with Dyle mobile TV, offering viewers on-the-go access to 130 mobile TV stations throughout the country. With a stunning 8-inch screen, the RCA Mobile TV Tablet is both a portable TV set and a fully functional high-definition Android touchscreen tablet with Wi-Fi, dual cameras, and GPS functionality.
“The addition of both stationary and mobile TV capability in a tablet receiver means that viewers will never be out of touch with the latest news, weather, sports, and favorite channels. Our new RCA Mobile TV Tablet includes a telescoping antenna to receive regular digital TV channels when you’re not moving, and mobile TV when life keeps you busy and on the move. Mobile TV from Dyle is ideal for keeping up with local broadcasts when on-the go,” Chris Lee, Vice President of Marketing for Digital Stream. “Research consistently shows that consumers who try mobile TV not only watch television with greater frequency, but they also enjoy catching up on the latest information wherever they go. Reaction to our first generation of standalone Mobile DTV receivers has been very positive, and we look forward to more widespread and more advanced services made possible by the addition of this Mobile TV Tablet to the RCA product portfolio.”
“The rapid advancement of mobile TV technology is giving consumers unparalleled flexibility in how they watch TV and our integration with DST offers yet another way to view TV while they’re on-the-go,” said Salil Dalvi and Erik Moreno, co-general managers of Mobile Content Venture (MCV). “This is another great example of executing against our broader go-to-market strategy and commitment to delivering great, user-friendly technology to users everywhere.”
As the first tablet enabled with both an ATSC Mobile DTV tuner and Dyle mobile TV, the RCA Mobile TV Tablet is ideal for virtually any viewing environment — from the kitchen countertop to the back seat of a car. Dyle is now on-the-air in more than 35 markets, delivering popular network TV shows and local news. The RCA Mobile TV Tablet also receives mobile digital TV channels from broadcasters not affiliated with Dyle.
Other TV functions built into the device creating a one of a kind viewing experience include real-time signal strength display, on-screen program information display and digital closed captioning. Additionally, features like language settings, auto channel scan and a favorite channel setting enable the consumer to take the RCA Mobile TV Tablet and personalize the device to fit their needs.
Fully-Functional Tablet PC
With a bright 8-inch high-definition (1024×768) In-Plane Switching touchscreen, the RCA DMT580D is a fully functional WiFi 802.11b/g/n Android tablet featuring a Cortex A5 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of on-board flash memory. In addition to its unique dual-tuner design for reception of standard and mobile TV broadcasts (with built-in telescoping antenna), the RCA Mobile TV Tablet includes cameras on the front and rear of the tablet, twin speakers, integrated GPS, and USB, MicroUSB, MicroSD, and HDMI connectivity. Weighing only 1.4 pounds, the DMT580D also includes built-in WiFi, a Google search browser, and compatibility with the Google Play app store. The RCA 8-inch Mobile TV Tablet has a battery life up to four hours in mobile TV mode, or up to 10 hours when web browsing.
With a suggested retail price of $299, the RCA Mobile TV Tablet will be available this coming spring.
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About RCA: RCA is one of the most recognized names in the electronics industry, delivering innovative and reliable technology that has been entertaining families for over 90 years. Consumers throughout the world depend on the RCA brand to provide products and services that feature the latest technology and design, are easy to use, and deliver the highest value and longevity. It’s no wonder why generations of families continue to rely on the RCA brand for their home entertainment and lifestyle. RCA is a global trademark administered by RCA Trademark Management SAS of Technicolor SA. Learn more at RCA
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About Dyle(TM) Mobile TV: Dyle(TM) mobile TV is offering consumers a new, easy way to experience and enjoy live, broadcast television on their mobile devices at home or on-the-go. The Dyle application enables live broadcast programming – such as local and national news, as well as sports and entertainment content, utilizing the ATSC-Mobile DTV standard. Compatible across Android and Apple iOS-enabled devices, Dyle is available in 35 US markets, potentially reaching 55 percent of the population, and will add additional network programming and hardware in the future. Dyle is operated by the Mobile Content Venture (MCV), a joint-venture of 12 major broadcast groups including Belo Corp., Cox Media Group, E.W. Scripps Co., Gannett Broadcasting, Hearst Television Inc., Media General Inc., Meredith Corp., Post-Newsweek Stations Inc. and Raycom Media, all of which are part of the standalone entity known as Pearl, LLC, as well as Fox, ION Television and NBC. For more information, visit What is Dyle? Dyle.tv
