Delphi Provides Solution for Analogue In-Car TV Owners: New Set-Top-Box for Mobile Digital TV Reception

Current mobile TV system users will soon be able to add the new Delphi system to enjoy high quality digital TV on their existing analogue in-car TV system

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 8 -- Delphi Corporation is introducing a new Set-Top-Box for Mobile TV Reception, which will be available in the near future as a dealer upgrade for BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles currently equipped with in-car analogue TV systems. Delphi's Set- Top-Box for Mobile TV Reception will be required if owners want to receive Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVB-T) signals on their existing television equipment. This new digital TV reception system will be demonstrated at this week's 60th International Motor Show in Frankfurt.

Vehicles currently equipped with factory-installed analogue TV reception systems can only receive analogue TV transmissions, limiting viewing capabilities as broadcasters transfer to digital signals. Delphi's Set-Top- Box for Mobile TV Reception is the first system to enable an analogue mobile TV system to display digital TV programming.

In many European urban regions, the transition from analogue TV to digital TV is occurring with abrupt consequences. Analogue TV transmitters are simply switched-off and replaced by digital transmitters eliminating the ability to receive the new digital TV signal in the vehicle in that viewing area unless an upgrade is made.

Delphi's Set-Top-Box for Mobile TV Reception receives digital signals meeting the European DVB-T standard and connects to several automotive TV reception systems in current vehicles. The system ensures TV reception as the vehicle travels through different sections of the European region.

"This becomes critical as TV broadcasters in various regions in Europe migrate from analogue transmissions to digital transmissions at different times," said Michael Heise, Delphi Delco Electronics Systems product line manager for antennas and TV systems. "This system helps to keep the existing vehicle TV system from becoming obsolete."

Because of radio frequency (RF) and intermediate frequency (IF) processing optimized for highest sensitivity and dynamic range and due to MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) data reduction the reception system offers superb picture quality even when the vehicle is moving.

Video as well as audio and data services can be received with one conventional transmission channel. This allows passengers to enjoy multi- program TV with digital stereo sound as they watch their favorite programs. The robust system design enables reception even under difficult reception conditions, such as strong echoes (ex: ghosting) and Doppler effect.

Delphi's Set-Top-Box for Mobile TV Reception is housed in a small package and connects to the antenna system and the current analogue TV receiver installed in the car. It is controlled via RF remote control and features an on-screen display. The device will be produced at the Delphi Delco facility in Bad Salzdetfurth, Germany, well established production site for Fuba(TM) reception system products.

"When Europe finalizes the migration to digitally transmitted TV signals, Delphi's TV reception system will become a digital only receiver with no modifications," said Heise. "The transition will be invisible to the consumer."

For more than 65 years, Delphi Delco Electronics Systems has supplied vehicle electronics products for mobile applications. Delphi Delco is a global organization with manufacturing and engineering resource centers ranging from Wuppertal, Germany, to Reynosa, Mexico, to Singapore to Buenos Aires.