Yep, the Open Mobile Video Coalition wants the Advanced Television Systems Committee to explore three technologies we've maybe only talked in passing before:
• LG/Harris' MPH (Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld)
• Samsung/Rohde & Schwarz's A-VSB
• Thomson/Micronas' variant of the European standard DVB-Handheld

So yes, if the plan is implemented, it means we will someday catch up to where Korea and Europe already are. Since big CE players are already involved in these technologies elsewhere, it wouldn't be costly for them to add the functionality to US product lines—a premium of around $10 per device.

For broadcasters already dealing with the digital switchover, adding $100K in hardware to their terrestrial broadcasting stations wouldn't be such a big deal, especially since it would help them tap into potentially $2 billion in ad revenue. (Unlike cable, local broadcasters are dealing with big revenue falls every quarter, including a 17% dip at the end of 2007.)

The question is, would you watch the stuff even if it were free? Qualcomm's MediaFLO is already an option with Verizon and AT&T, but I don't know many (any?) people who sign up for it. Also, who relies on local TV anymore? Gone are the days when Ron Burgundy and the KVWN Channel Four News Team reigned supreme. [AP]

You should get the V888 because it's a slider. Yeah. Like a late night run to a cheap burger joint. Like the electric slide. Like 2001 all over again. The V888 will run you about $132 if you're willing to walk to China to get it. But we recommend you slide there. Disclaimer: It's early and we've had no coffee this morning. [zol via pmptoday]

Another example of RCA's aging prowess is the DTA800 digital TV adapter. This little box picks up those new-fangled digital television signals and down-converts them to analog so your forty-year-old TV can play them (seriously, that's the RCA booth demo setup). Pricing is unavailable, probably because nobody knows if anybody will actually want to buy one of these things.

Rounding out the list of products to keep your aging system in useable shape, the Thomson wireless Music Box collects internet radio streams or other digital audio sources and connects them to your home stereo system for playback. It is managed from one of Thomson's new DECT-equipped phones or any other WiFi or UPnP device.

Not content to simply master the past, RCA also debuted the MPC4000 Laptop Teleceiver, a USB device that converts your PC into a full-fledged television. The small receiver will pick up and record both digital and analog signals. RCA thinks the Teleceiver is a perfect solution for cramped spaces like dorm rooms, and with a $200 price tag this April, they may have some takers. – Karson Thompson

Product Page [Via I4U]

If you really are interested, this PMP has a 2.5-inch screen, TV-out, line-in recording and a dictionary (!!). It lacks support for a wide range of video formats only playing MPEG-4 and ASF. Our take: shell out the extra bucks and get something worthy of being called a portable media player. – Travis Hudson

Thomson PMP2516: M6 + TV-out, kind of [dapreview]

So, it looks nice and is only available in China. It does, however, have a great name. I wish people called me Pimp 2008. – Nicholas Deleon

PMP2008 (in Chinese) [PConline.com.cn via dapreview.net]

The M5000 supports all kinds of file types including MP3, WMA, JPEG, BMP, GIF and even MOV and AVI—why you would want to watch video on a 1.8-inch screen still puzzles me, though. It can even display song lyrics for you karaoke fiends out there. It also does FM playback/recording, line-in recording and voice recording. It will be available in 1GB and 2GB models. – Travis Hudson

RCA M5000 [dapreview]

Thomson, or RCA, or Thomson/RCA or whatever the hell their name is now has dropped a fiesta of digital audio players. These DAPs cover the entire spectrum of available players. Anywhere from the low end EM2600 all the way to the redesigned X3030 portable media player. Get the scoop on all of the players after the jump.

The left-most player is the EM2600. This is a redesigned and renamed version of Thomson's RD2315 player. It is pretty basic, has a 65k color screen, video capabilities and has 512MB or 1GB of storage space. Prices for this player will begin at $100.

The EH306 is the next MP3 player. This has a very unique design. The crazy blue backlighting and black, smooth finish give it a nice look that can even make me look classy. This player comes loaded with a 6GB micro hard drive and can play back MP3, WMA, WMV, JPEG and MPEG-4 although I'm not sure how well the images and video look on the oddly blue, 262k, 1.5-inch color screen. Should be hitting the shelves in March.

The third player is the EM2802. This player will be available in 1GB and 2GB sizes. It can play the standard music tunes in addition to WMV and MPEG-4 video and will be available in November with prices starting at $165.

Lastly, Thomson has renamed the previously released Lyra X3000 to the X3030E—the E stands for Europe! This is a lot of the same stuff just in a new casing. 20GB, 3.6-inch screen, video playback, music playback, video recording, voice recording, etc. It will carry at $400 price tag. – Travis Hudson

Bucnh'o'new DAPs from Thomson/RCA [dapreview]

The player comes with 512MB of memory, which isn't much, but the 40 hours of playback is something you won't get with most players. Unfortunately, 512MB only equals about 8 hours of music, so you're going to be hearing Stevie Nicks' "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" at least 5 times before switching batteries. Double unfortunately, these are standard AA batteries and not proprietary rechargeable ones.

It does have a pulse rate monitor and a calorie counter, but neither apparently work very well. For about $90, what do you expect? – Jason Chen

Thomson Lyra PDP2662S MP3 player [T3 via Digital Lifestyle Magazine]

New Camcorder SanDisk Compact Flash Cards [MobileWhack]

The gyration ultra-small remote control is the ultimate in mobile presentation. It includes a 1GB flash drive to store any presentation information also acts as a 2.4Ghz wireless receiver that can operate up to 100 feet. The mobile unit itself is very small and fits easily into the hand. There are four buttons total, to control the mouse you simply hold the middle, bigger circular button and move your hand, the controls seems extremely sensitive at first, but this is all easily modified through the Windows control panel.

With a push of the smaller circular button an options menu comes up that allows for the wide variety of additional options such as using a spotlight, placing pointing arrows and many other features. Unfortunately these special controls are for Windows only. Sorry, Apple. This device should be available in April for $199 through Thomson.

Gyration ultra-small remote control, this is about the size of a USB flash drive that do everything the Gyration mouse did and more. One click will launch the pre-stored presentation and allows up to 80 commands based on hand motions. This was actually pretty hot, if you're into the whole 'surfaceless mousing' thing.

HDV5000 HD DVD Player, expected to ship to retail 2nd quarter this year for $499. This is from the Thomson RCA line.

Jensen MPC400 Receiver, ATSC, NTSC, FM receiver for your laptop or PC for under $300 coming in 2006. This puppy will allow you to watch over-the-air television broadcasts on your laptop (or PC). Not especially new, conceptually—we're much more interested in streaming video over Wi-Fi, which is something Thomson also seems to be pushing with some of their Acoustic Research Products.

Wi-Q Universal Remote Control is an all-in-one remote that has an integrated LCD screen that can display program guides and control every part of your home theatre. It uses EPG on remote updated via Wi-Fi. Meaning it connects to your network and downloads television program guides. This will be available in 2006 for $299, while sounds high is actually a competitive price compared to the other high-end Logitech remotes that are out.

RCA Rip and Go, a bookshelf audio system that directly rips from CD to MP3 players. It will exist in five different new products in 2006. Varying from a 10-watt system to a massive 160 watt unit with a 5 cd changed, 2x ripping, Wi-Fi, and Sirius satellite radio in home. Thomson will be working with Sirius for the new SiriusConnect Home service to bring satellite radio into the home.

Thomson says best way to beat the iPod is to go around, they are doing this by using very simple flash players. Their new line will be fully customized with decals and color faceplates, oh joy! This line starts at $59. Good luck is all I have to say.

Lyra X3000 Personal Multimedia Recorder, it allows direct recording of products minus a PC. They will be partnering with DirectTV and the service, DirectTV 2Go for television on the X3000, while the Lyra won't be able to directly connect to the DirectTV network, your pre-existing set top box will be upgradeable to a model that can link with the box and download content directly to the Lyra. The X3000 uses IR, MPEG4 technologies, real time recording from an analog source or transfer from a PC. It has a convenient media dock that can sit in your home theatre for easy transfer. It obeys the Windows Media DRM, supports photo viewing from SD or directly from a PC/camera. It is also compatible with audible.com for you audio book junkies. [Lyra pictured]

More products from the press conference in a moment.