Wireless video download services
From The Neuros Technology Wiki
[edit] Getting videos with wireless video download services:
Services such as Verizon V CAST, Cingular Video, Sprint TV and Power Visions, Alltel Axcess, Amp'd Mobile and others: These services follow the mold of most digital content provision applications used by wireless carriers: you sign up for a service via the carrier, assuming your phone supports it, and you can access a set of media files transferred to your phone wirelessly. Often there is a monthly fee along with fees associated with individual videos, as in the case of Verizon's V CAST. While the use of these services is generally fairly simple, there are some important things to consider when using these services. We'll cover some of those points here.
- The most unique aspect of these services is that the video is downloaded or streamed directly to your phone, from the wireless provider's website, without any intermediate steps taken by you. Generally the wireless companies make this very simple for the user, putting the content in a menu easily accessible on the phone, and clearly laying out accessible items. Despite this, users might encouter problems playing content if their phone happens not to support it.
- Mobile video services are invariably 'premium' services, meaning they'll add to the cost of a basic phone subscription. Prices vary, but the plans are at least $15 per month, and often include per-item fees. For example, V CAST Vpak will play 'basic' clips for free, but there are additional fees for premium content.
- These mobile video services are often a newer segment of an mobile digital music store - mirroring the development of iTunes. V CAST falls into this category. However, this also means that there is often a certain emphasis on DRM and format-restricted content and playback within these systems.
- The amount of content for video is usually not comparable to that availible for music - While many music solutions measure their libraries in the millions, sizes of video librarires are often measured in the hundreds. The amount and selection of content varies greatly across services, however - Verizon offers some exclusive clips, while Sprint Powervision offers different content, along with live TV streams. If you're in the market for one of these services, keep in mind that the service you select will largely determine the content available to you.
Pros: * Simple to use, content optimized for mobile/smartphones * Normally only 1 step involved (selecting content)
Cons: *Additional fees, can be expensive *Content limited *Can't move between formats in case of incompatibility *Use of services is limited by geographic region - not available in some areas
[edit] Section Links:
Neuros Homepage || Tutorials Top Page || Smartphone Top Page
[edit] More resources and links related to this article:
C-Net review of Sprint Powervision
