MultiChoice starts broadcasting DStv on cellphones, PCs, tablets

DStv mobile is initially available on Nokia 5330, Nokia N96 and ZTE F900 - for now - on computers and tablets. Compatible handsets available from the first quarter of 2011 include Nokia C6-01, Nokia C7, Nokia E7, Nokia N8 and ZTE N290.

The company said negotiations are underway with handset manufacturers to make more DVB-H compatible devices available in the local market 'soon'. DVB-H, which stands for digital video broadcast handheld, is a technology that enables broadcast mobile TV in South Africa.

Fifteen channels

DVB-H is enabled to receive 15 channels, the company said, adding that this spectrum was licensed to both MultiChoice (60%) and e.tv (40%), who will be offering pay and free-to-air services respectively. The channels initially include SuperSport 1, 2, 3 and Blitz, Africa Magic, Cartoon Network, Trace and a DStv Events Channel. The e-Mobile bouquet contains eNews Channel and Channel O, with more channels on both services to be announced soon.

The resolution of the pictures to be broadcast in the cellphone will be 320 x 280, and the same quality will go into laptops, Bradley Daniels, MultiChoice SA head of product development said, adding that the company is striving to keep the integrity of video quality as intact as possible.

Apart from accessing DStv Mobile on a DVB-H enabled cellphone, anyone can also view it via Drifta, MultiChoice's newly introduced mobile TV decoder, GM for DStv Mobile Mark Rayner said yesterday, Tuesday, 23 November 2010, at the launch held at the Ulwazi Centre in Randburg, Johannesburg.

Fifteen anniversary of digital TV in SA

The launch of DStv mobile coincides with the 15th anniversary of digital TV in SA, first introduced by MultiChoice.

Drifta currently costs R599, and it can be purchased at major retail stores nationwide from Wednesday 1 December. The service can then be activated via the MultiChoice call centre or website. DVB-H cellphones will be made available through mobile network operators Vodacom, MTN and Cell C, and the subscription is activated directly off the handset.

The DStv Mobile bouquet will cost subscribers R36 per month (R9 per week) from 1 April 2011.

Rayner said Drifta is a separate device that receives the DStv Mobile broadcast signal and relays it over WiFi to a range of WiFi-capable laptops, PCs, tablets and smartphones. The mobile TV decoder is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. It is also compatible with devices such as the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

"Not a replacement for normal TV"

"We are busy developing Blackberry OS, Symbian 3 and Android applications, and more devices that work with the Drifta will be enabled soon," Rayner said.

"This is not a replacement for normal TV as it is going to be shown in a tiny screen, but it is just a complimentary service to our products," he added.

Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice SA CEO, said: "MultiChoice is a company built on innovation and it is this approach that has resulted in numerous firsts in our industry. As previously communicated, broadcast Mobile TV is a long-term opportunity that will require significant investment."

For more:

• Official site: www.dstvmobile.com
  
• TechCentral: DStv Mobile launched at R36/month