Half of testers use mobile DTV devices once or twice a day, comments reveal

The first reactions from consumers are rolling in from ongoing tests of mobile DTV in and around Washington, D.C., according to a statement from the Open Mobile Video Coalition. The coalition is analyzing some 2,800 comments from more than 150 "hands-on" users of new mobile devices capturing television programming. Just under 50 percent of viewing respondents say they watch one or two times a day on the device, and around 30 percent watch three or more times a day. Around 63 percent of viewing is taking place "on the go," compared with 44 percent at work or at school, and 33 percent at home. Many viewers also say they are excited about the potential of mobile DTV. On a scale of 1 to 10 -- 1 being "not at all excited" and 10 being "extremely excited" -- initial survey participants rate mobile DTV as 7.1 The test is taking place in the Washington, D.C. area. In May, participants were provided with specially-modified Samsung Moment phones to receive free mobile broadcasts from nine DC-area TV stations broadcasting 23 mobile DTV channels. PBS affiliate WHUT is sending out PBS and PBS Kids shows. Viewers give feedback through daily diaries, market research and focus groups.

FCC gathering tech experts for broadcast engineering forum June 25

PBS's Chief Technology Officer John McCoskey is among speakers at the Federal Communication Commission's upcoming broadcast engineering forum (PDF). The June 25 meeting from 3 to 6 p.m. Eastern will tackle topics including cellularization of broadcast architecture, metholologies for repacking the TV band, improvements in VHF reception, and advancements in compression technology. If you can't attend the meeting at FCC headquarters in Washington, catch it live online or submit questions via email (broadbandoutreach@fcc.gov) or Twitter using hashtag #brdcstforum.