• Windows Media Video 9 over DVB-H at RTS Cambridge Convention
• First European demonstration of DVB-H with Windows Media DRM
• Delivery to variety of devices including Windows Mobile-based devices, PDAs and Windows XP Tablet PCs

IBC, Amsterdam (Stand 1.259): Arqiva is mounting the first European demonstration using a DVB-H network to broadcast digital television content to mobile devices using Windows Media Video 9 and Windows Media Digital Rights Management technology.  The demonstration, which will take place at the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Convention on 15-17 September, takes advantage of an established Arqiva test transmitter at Milton, north of Cambridge.  Reception is on a variety of hand-held devices including Windows Mobile-based devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and Windows XP Tablet PCs.

Two live TV channels are included in the demonstration, ITV News and British Eurosport, plus a pre-encoded video stream with enhanced picture quality.  This content will be delivered in the Windows Media format, which provides improved video quality at low bit-rates.

"We are pleased that Arqiva is using Windows Media Video and Windows Media DRM in its innovative showcase solution for delivering live television to mobile devices," said Eric Schmidt, group product manager in the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft Corp.  "This is a great example of how Arqiva can deliver next-generation services that will enhance the mobile entertainment experience for consumers."

Simon Mason, head of new product development at Arqiva, added: "This demonstration illustrates how the advanced compression techniques delivered by Windows Media not only improve picture quality but also protect that valuable content, independent of the platform or device on which it is received.  We continue to grow our understanding of the technical and commercial issues in deploying mobile broadcast services and this bodes well for datacasting and mobile TV services in the future."