Motorola unveils TV device

Motorola Inc. is introducing a mobile device for playing live television to expand its reach in portable consumer electronics.

Schaumburg-based Motorola said Thursday its DH01 device, to be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week, will also play on-demand video clips and programs saved on digital video recorders.

It is the first foray by the world's No. 3 maker of cell phones into devices solely devoted to mobile TV, an emerging service wireless carriers hope will boost revenue as phone call prices fall.

Motorola and rivals Nokia, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics already offer phones with live TV. Apple Inc.'s popular iPod and iPhone let users download videos but does not support live TV.

Motorola said the device, set for commercial launch this month, is expected to be sold by television broadcasters, consumer electronics retailers and wireless carriers. It did not name any specific vendors.

The DH01 has a 4.3-inch video screen, a feature that lets users pause live TV for up to five minutes and a battery supporting four hours of playback. Viewers can add memory cards storing up to 90 minutes of video.