SmartVideo Opens the Door for Mobile Devices

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.smartvideo.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.smartvideo.com/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Richard E. Bennett, Jr. president and CEO of SmartVideo Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: SMVD), today unveiled landmark agreements that will allow SmartVideo to deliver high-quality television broadcasts from NBC Universal and The Weather Channel to cellular-internet enabled mobile devices ("Smartphones") using Microsoft's WindowsMedia Mobile technology. For the first time, consumers with Smartphones will be able to view live television anywhere, anytime on Pocket PC, Mobile PDA and Smartphone mobile devices."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050107-SmartVideo.gif" /><br /><br />SmartVideo have teamed up with ABC News, NBC Universal and The Weather Channel to deliver a live television service for <a href="http://www.smartvideo.com/devices.html">mobile device users</a>. The service is enabled for most consumers operating over a wireless network, and the SmartVideo library allows for a wide range of programming selections so you can choose what to watch, and when to watch it. It has been optimised to deliver a high-quality service at a minimum of 15 frames per second. More information can be found at the <a href="http://www.smartvideo.com/">SmartVideo website</a>.

[Don't Panic!]

I signed up for the introductory trial and tried it out with bluetooth and my X50V. It works I guess but with lots and lots of buffering and a really small image even in fullscreen. Running it hooked up to my compuiter on a T-1 line is a different story. The Weather Channel live is fantastic in Fullscreen mode. This just might take off. Thanks for the heads up Darius. 0X

[suddenly_ike]

also take a loot at
http://www.pocketpcmedia.com

[joefuture]

I also tried smartvideo on my x50v, but WMP10 locks up every time I stop/pause a feed. Are other x50v users seeing this? I e-mailed their tech support folks but havent heard a reply yet.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

As with much of the technology at CES, this one was a great start. I think it's a nifty idea, and when bandwidth increases, it might be a killer app. But with the 2.5G networks we're running on right now, we just don't have the bandwidth.

Obviously I'm talking about completely mobile devices, not WiFi connected handhelds and smartphones.

I like the idea alot, though, and can see the potential here.

[joefuture]

I agree - great idea. I'd love to see this evolve into something like our Pocket PC's becoming IPTV clients down the road.

It looks like SmartVideo might be feeling the bandwidth drain already. Yesterday, their MSNBC feed was fullscreen and gorgeous on my x50v. Today, it's a dancing postage stamp.

Still locks up though. SmartVideo tech support still hasn't replied to my request for help.

[Darius Wey]

But with the 2.5G networks we're running on right now, we just don't have the bandwidth.

If you're able to hop onto a 3G network, you can really take advantage of what SmartVideo have to offer. However, I wouldn't expect mass embracing of it until 3G becomes widely (and I mean, "widely") implemented. In time though...

[Vincent M Ferrari]

I will say that I saw it at the show and it was pretty cool, just jerky and stuff.

I did see it on a Cingular demo (our rep demoed it for me) and the audio was perfect, but the damn video was horrid.

I don't know what to think. On one hand, I think it's neat. On the other hand, I think it would make more sense to just grab a watchman or something...

Who knows. Five years from now it'll probably be as ubiquitous as cameras on phones; I mean, who woulda thought that would be the next "big" thing? :-)

[joefuture]

I tried later today and the feed came in around 213kbps. The picture was beautiful and the audio was superb.

We found a workaround for the locking up problem - go to "now playing" and delete the feed. If you hit the stop button instead, it will usually lock up.

I'm more interested than ever now, but geez... $16.95/month for basic + another $4.95 for premium. My digital cable w/ DVR at home is only $40/month. Hard to justify the cost.

If I had an EDGE or EVDO-enabled Pocket PC phone device and an unlimited data plan, it would be even more compelling.

Still, I'm really glad to see someone paving the way on this! More power to them!

[q-live]

i tried it on my 6315 and it worked very well, no lock ups or anything the only thing is since my processor is kinda slow that kinda of hinder it a little and also i think they need more channels.

[joefuture]

I tried again today and got the tiny size again. I'm guessing they throttle down the free streams when their usage goes up. Anyone know if the
premium service does this too? When you get the tiny stream, the picture doesn't even scale when you go to full screen.

[froesei]

I've been testing it out on my rx3115, and it's actually not bad. Was able to watch CNBC quite seemlessly on my ppc as it was also playing on my television. A slight delay in the broadcast, but still pretty cool. definitely has potential.