Sharp dual mode chip for Mobile TV

From the FT:

"Sharp, Japan’s leading mobile handset maker, is in negotiations with up to 30 European companies, including mobile phone operators, to supply its dual-mode tuner chip for television-equipped mobile phones.

Demand for TV-equipped mobile phones is forecast to grow ten-fold in the next five years, and their usage is widespread in Japan, South Korea and parts of Europe.

Until now, competing standards in different countries have made it impossible to receive digital TV broadcasts on a single phone in more than one country.

However, Sharp’s chip is capable of receiving terrestrial digital broadcasts in the US and Europe.

The mobile TV market is expected to reach 12m units in 2007 and 130m units by 2011 at a compounded annual growth rate of 67 per cent, according to Strategic Analytics, the market research firm."

From the company announcement:

"Major Features

1. Capable of receiving both DVB-H and T-DMB broadcasts, a world first
2. Industry's lowest power consumption (43 mW)
3. Compact, thin-profile package size (8.0 x 8.0 x 1.25 mm)"

From Slashphone:

"The tuner module is designed to be embedded in mobile devices, mainly mobile phones. Hence, manufacturers are strongly demanding compact size, thin form factor, and low power consumption in this key component."