Softbank makes iPhone TV Tuner in Japan

Just before the year 2008 ended, Softbank introduces a TV-tuner accessory to the iPhone in Japan — the 1-Seg TV. I’m not sure though if this device will work outside the Japanese airwaves.

The 1-Seg TV grabs the channels over the air and transmits the signal to your iPhone via wifi which could be a bummer if you want to watch TV in your car while driving on a heavy traffic (they should also enable USB cable transmission too).

iphone-tv-tuner-japan

Priced at around $108PHP 6,338INR 9,153EUR 103CNY 786 (9,850 yen), the device is 100% in Japanese (hardware and software) so I guess bringing the tuner out of the country will only be useful to those who can read Japanese. You can grab the Softbank Software over at the iPhone App Store (if you are lucky to find it with a search).

softbank tv iphone app

Still, I wonder why no other 3rd-party vendor made something similar for a wider market {via}.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

9 Comments

VinS says:

16 years ago

my uncle would surely buy this application. japan tech strikes again
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Patrick says:

16 years ago

The PSP has this too but it is only usable in Japan AFAIK. :(
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jepoy says:

16 years ago

It uses Japan’s 1Seg broadcast network… same with Nintendo DS and PSP tuners. Won’t be of any use outside Japan.
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The RITZ says:

16 years ago

Why not a dvbh? hows the smart dvbh service? do they already have a lifestyle channel?
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3DTV says:

15 years ago

hi-ya, I see all your blog posts, keep them coming.
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business litigation lawyer arizona says:

14 years ago

Nice web site. Thanks!
- Reply
kyflo says:

14 years ago

Actually, all 1seg devices work in the Philippines since the DVB standard is abandoned and it was replaced with the Japanese ISDB-T standard and 1seg is included there.

@TheRITZ. DVB-H needs a separate transmitter and channels are encrypted. Unlike 1seg, you only need an existing ISDB-T transmitter and the channels are unencrypted or all channels are free to watch.

Try looking for Nokia’s 1seg tuner (SU-33Wb)

Try going to this fanpage (http://www.facebook.com/IWantDTV4thePhilippines) or go to http://www.dibeg.org for more info.
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Claretta Hash says:

13 years ago

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