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Mobile TV not anticipated to be popular
"I would characterise it as radio [being] even more attractive than TV in the trial," said Emma Lloyd, managing director of BT's Movio business, which plans to offer a wholesale TV service to mobile phone companies from this summer. "We will be able to piggy-back on the attractiveness of digital radio and I don't think that is a negative thing; I see it as a positive thing because the UK leads the world in digital radio."
User Comments: 21
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it makes sense. When listening to audio you are less restricted. YOu can look around, interact with things etc. When its mobile video you need to be watching it.. you can just listen to it but a lot of time you will only catch 35% of whats going on by just listening to it.We depend on our eyes more than any other sense.. so having to watch somethign while on the go would be infinitely more distracting than anything that would utilize any other sense.I think it will be a niche market, or maybe it will just take a while to gain popularity.. sort of like satelite radio.
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This is very interesting. And I agree, that it is less distracting. However, you remember things better with sight, than with hearing, so in effect, I think the only thing that will go lacking, is the amount of detail that pertains to your memory lol.
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One important thing about TV for mobile is that the mobile's battery will be sucked dry in 1 or 2 hours, at most. And the cost they charge it is an important factor too. We used to listen to the radio and watch TV free of charge, so being charged even a relatively small fee to get the same service in our mobile won't be accepted.
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I know alot of people will disagree with me, but I just don't see the point of watching TV on a mobile phone. I think the screen size is way to small to even enjoy it. I would much rather listen to the radio on my phone than watch TV. And £5 is what... $9? If you ask me, I really don't think that is worth the money. That's just my opinion though.
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It had to come, but I also say so what. I dont see world falling over their feet to get it. Video communication is way more crucial, it has little entertainment value to have mobile TV, but lots of value when it is two way.
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As if 80% of the posters here haven't predicted this already, I can't believe the broadcast companies did not forsee this as the most probable future. It was obvious the small screen, paired with high battery usage, are unpalatable to most cell phone users. People are a multitasking breed; if we have to watch shows on a little screen, it is difficult to pay attention to anything else. Most mobile phone users talk on the phone while driving (bad idea, but I digress), doing work, waiting by the bus station, etc. etc. It was fairly obvious mobile TV wasn't going to be a big hit. At most, people will only use mobile TV for quick news headlines and whatnot; not many will actually watch it for 30 minutes or more because it is just inconvenient and puts a big strain on the eyes.
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Listening to digital radio requires less attention and allows users to do other things while listening. On the other hand however video requires people to pay attention. Music also drains less battery life for users who still want to use their phones or other mobile devices.
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[b]Originally posted by Eleventeen:[/b][quote]I know alot of people will disagree with me, but I just don't see the point of watching TV on a mobile phone. I think the screen size is way to small to even enjoy it. I would much rather listen to the radio on my phone than watch TV. And £5 is what... $9? If you ask me, I really don't think that is worth the money. That's just my opinion though.[/quote]I actually agree with you on that one. But I understand not everyone thinks the same way as I do, just the same as I think spending 50 bucks on pants that are custom made to hold your iPod is rediculous. A regular pant pocket isnt good enough? But I have no doubt someone out there will buy it.That is a steep price for the media though. It would be different if you were buying the rights to that TV episode per-say. So you could stream it whenever and on multiple devices (your TV, your mobile, your PC...) Like that, it would possibly be worth it, but should be a bit cheaper to keep in line with TV series released on DVD (but more expensive due to the ability to view it on multiple platforms.) Kudos in advance to whoever develops the framework for a system like that. I believe that would work really well and would probably catch on as hot as iTunes with the 99cent songs as long as the pricing was good ($4.99-$6.99).
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I think the problem with TV is first the screen is just way too small. Second, the image is always not great. Also, the reception sometime is not that great either. If they somehow would make a big enough TV screen then I guess more peole maybe interested in using it.
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Didn't Sega release an add-on for the Gamegear which made watching tv a possibility and later on nintendo tried that with the gameboy? Both failed and tv on mobiles seems to head the same way...
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The inclusion of mobile tv decreases the overall concentration of people to the point that having them in cars can become a dangerous distraction. Portables also suffer from power shortages which make them impractical
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[b]Originally posted by cyrax:[/b][quote]The inclusion of mobile tv decreases the overall concentration of people to the point that having them in cars can become a dangerous distraction. Portables also suffer from power shortages which make them impractical[/quote]Exactly.
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I agree with all of you. I've always though TV phones were not such smart a idea. I even find video ipods and portable DVD players pretty useless (you can disagree with me if you wish). The problem with all of these mobile video entertainment is simply that the screens are too small. Everyone watches TV and DVDs at home with their big screen TVs (relative to the petty 2" screens on cell phones), and because we've experienced (a lot of) big screen entertainment, pathetic 2" screens just don't tickle our senses anymore. I think until they come up with some sort of holographic display technology that can output video at a decent size, they should stay away from mobile video entertainment.
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I don't understand this. I complained about the screen size of the ipod video on some other forums and everyone told me to sod off and that it was a good idea. The iPod video was successful and so were video downloads for it. This idea is not successful. Why?
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id say that the size of the screen would only be the 2nd problem.the first would just be the want for it. i personally dont want to watch TV when im out with my friends. i do listen to music all the time but i turn it down low so i can still hear them and interact with them. also if u do have tv on ur phone and out with ur friends possibly every1 will try to watch on that one tiny screen. lol
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I think that Mobile TV is kinda stupid, as I don't find it fun to watch TV on a 1.5" or 2" screen. :-(
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Its a good idea for like car trips but really... who is gonna take time outta their day to watch a 2 or 3 in t.v. I would rather listen to radio anyday.
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Not very appealing for many people as size does matter
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The idea behind MTV's idea is that almost everyone has a mobile with them and for convience at a premuim, you can watch video on the move at a cost. They should give away videos to watch on mobiles so the uptake of video/TV compatible phones increase and drive up demand. You can't blame MTV for the sake of testing the market.The videos would then pay for themselves by including a small ad at the beginning for the convience of getting free videos. Some companies are now starting to make videos exclusively for mobile phones so that there are no long shots or wide views that you can't make out on a smaller screen. They include lots of close-up facial shots with more detail. Unless mobiles get 5" screens (unlikely due to cost and portability) you may even get films re-edited exclusively for mobile phones when storage capacity increases.. which could be very soon..
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Doesn't anyone remember the TV watches from the 80s? Or those small portable TVs with real CRTs? I guess the same kind of people who used them then will use these.
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Oh come off it! Who actually believes it would have taken off? Its common sense to know that it won't appeal to people! The screen is way to small, many people will have to buy new phones and its just plain stupid! Whilst the technology is interesting, it has no practical use. Perhaps for laptops yes, but not with mobiles!
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