N77: The Mobile TV experience

WOW! or maybe you could say OH!

These are the words that would surely describe watching TV over a mobile phone where the video is soooo CLEAR.. Its really like watching cable TV.

I’ve been used to watching Live TV using my Nokia 6233 via GPRS.. and even tried it with other phones (Nokia and SE). and when I first tried the mobile TV (which is the first feature i checked when i turned on the phone).. i was all smiles!

The picture you see above is how mobile TV really looks like. Its that clear..

Key mobile TV features:

• DVB-H receiver (470-750MHz)
• Dedicated TV application for selection, purchase and consumption of TV programs
• Replay of TV program (up to 30 seconds) and a reminder setting via Program Guide
• Mobile TV interactive services
• Integrated DVB-H. Video/audio codecs: H.264 AVC
  384kbps@QVGA 15fps/QCIF 30fps and AAC up to
  128kbps
• Channel and content protection: OMA DRM2.0, Ipsec
• Active matrix 2.4″ QVGA color display with wide viewing angle: 320 x 240 pixels, up to 16 million colors

What is mobile TV?

Mobile TV involves bringing TV services to the mobile phones. It combines the services of a mobile phone with television content and represents a logical step both for consumers and operators and content providers. Mobile TV over cellular networks allows viewers to enjoy personalized, interactive TV with content specifically adapted to the mobile medium. – wikipedia

There are 3 ways to open/turn on mobile TV on your N77:

1. Use the dedicated mobile TV button at the right side of the phone (the button in the middle).
2. Use the multimedia key (beside the keypad number 3 and 6).
3. Go to Menu > Mobile TV

On your first use, you will be asked to subscribe to a provider (well that will be your home network or a 3rd party service provider) . Then you’ll set-up the program guide. Choose a Channel.. and there.

Yes.. it was that easy and that fast.. took me less than 1 minute to set it up! And what’s good about it is that i didn’t have to call for help from a customer service representative of nokia or my network provider.

I had 11 channels to choose from. And each channel i choose had the same reception.. clear… I was glued to MTV, CNN, and National Geographic (the channel availability depends on your network).

You can also watch in portrait mode (as opposed to landscape mode as you see on the above pic)

I tried using live TV via GPRS using the N77.. well, i was expecting the same clear and crisp image.. but.. well.. its not DVBH! It was still grainy.. although the screen was bigger!

The sound is loud with the same clarity as the image. Unlike when you use GPRS, sometimes when you view another channel you’ll either decrease or increase the volume.

You can only watch for less than 5 hours. I tested this coz i know a lot of you will ask how long the N77 will last. I made sure that the battery was fully charged. Then I turned on mobile TV.. The battery will only last for less than 5 hours. Wait, don’t .. as in NEVER… use mobile TV while charging your phone. Coz you’ll end up damaging your battery and your phone. Maybe you’ll ask, why is it that this phone will last that long? Well, its because DVBH technology consumes less power than other means of mobile / live TV distribution.

Oh and there’s a 7 seconds delay if your viewing your favorite programs live (coz there’s a replay)

Here is a sample video

(I’m still in the process of uploading my own videos in youtube.)

Downside:

1. You can’t capture and record the video/tv show unlike the N92.
2. You need 3G to use mobile TV. So if you don’t have a 3G signal, you won’t be able to use mobile TV. And also, if you have a weak TV signal, expect some quick “NO SIGNAL” to be displayed on your screen.

Comparing the N77 with the N92:

1. N77 is less bulky and Lighter than N92
2. N77 is cheaper than N92

With N77 and Mobile TV, anytime a prime time!

For more info on mobile TV, check out nokia’s mobile TV Page.

Update: 11/25/07

You don’t need 3G connection to as a requirement for Mobile Tv. But of course you need a DVBH signal.. I tried using Mobile TV on GSM mode and it worked.

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