Watch Movies On Your Cell Phone?

By Cmaster2 February 19, 2002 1:19 PM

RealNetworks is planning to begin selling software today (Tuesday) that will allow consumers to receive high-quality audio and video on mobile devices. RealSystem Mobile, operates on new wireless systems based on 2.5G and 3G standards, permitting access speeds up to 384 kbps.

Reader Discussions:

Post YOUR opinion too!

cool reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 20, 2002 2:22 AM

It'll be easier than setting up my laptop ever time I want to watch a movie on the train.

RE: Not cool reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on February 20, 2002 10:16 PM

This is coming closer to Matrix future...

RE: Not cool reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 20, 2002 11:24 PM

Skullfire is the One.

Don't think so reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 21, 2002 2:05 PM

Hate to burst the bubble, but you're not going to be able to pull in much of anything on those dinky transmission speeds. It'll take, what, several hours to pull in a 90-minute movie? Even better than 45-50 minutes just for a little 5-minute short. And just wait until your phone freezes up in the middle of transmission and you have to reboot. Sorry, no sale.

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on February 21, 2002 4:12 PM

Small steps, ?right?

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by Loath (loath@dtheatre.com) on February 25, 2002 11:20 AM

Not entirely. First off, you have to realize that a cellphone would have a very small resolution and therefore not need as much data to fill the screen. Secondly, it would most probably buffer the movie or whatever you're watching rather than predownloading it. 384kbps isn't that slow and you would probably only have to wait a minute or two regardless of the movie size.

True, but reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 25, 2002 3:24 PM

True that streaming would make it easier. However, a couple of things:

-While cellphone resolutions now aren't much, screen technology is certainly heading in that direction. Color displays on PDA/phone combos are already out. Besides, if the resolution remains so poor, there wouldn't be much point in trying to watch a movie on a phone in the first place, right?

-The biggest thing here is, will carriers charge for the airtime needed to watch these movies? That'd be a nice fat 2-hour charge on your bill! Logically you'd think they'd find another way to price it, like a flat fee. But no one ever accused telecom companies of being logical...

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 26, 2002 2:41 AM

An upside down question mark? man, that's way out there dude.

And also reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 26, 2002 7:18 AM

Also consider: Cell networks are often overtaxed right now, just handling voice data. This is especially true in big cities like NYC, San Francisco, etc. No way can they handle movie transmissions on top of that. People will start dropping their service if it's constantly jammed up.

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on February 26, 2002 12:33 PM

Sorry, I mix up my spanish with the english.

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 27, 2002 8:27 AM

Spanish? like, woah...

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by Skullfire (hulacete@ubbi.com) on February 27, 2002 5:37 PM

WOAH?

RE: Don't think so reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 28, 2002 3:11 AM

Yea dude, woah...