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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
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Product summary
The good: Verizon Wireless V Cast Mobile TV offers excellent video quality and near-instantaneous channel switching.
The bad: Verizon Wireless V Cast Mobile TV has limited network simulcast options.
The bottom line: Verizon Wireless brings mobile entertainment to a new level with its new V Cast Mobile TV, but more simulcast programming would make it a truly rich experience.
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 04/09/2007
- Released on: 03/01/2007
Programming
Mobile TV offers eight channels: CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, Fox Mobile, MTV, NBC 2Go, NBC News 2Go, and Nickelodeon. On the whole, it's a decent offering, but if you're looking to make sure you don't miss your favorite show when you're away from home, you'll likely be disappointed. Not all the offerings are "live" as in simulcast; some of the content is timeshifted (David Letterman at 11 a.m.?), and others are delivered specifically for mobile viewers, such as NBC's Primetime Catch-Up, a roundup of the network's previous night's prime time offerings.
As far as when you can expect to see your favorite network shows simulcast, it's hit or miss. Different networks simulcast over Mobile TV at different times. But even if you can't watch your favorite shows when they're actually broadcast, you'll be able to view many popular shows, including Chappelle's Show, South Park, CSI, and The Real World. Fox Mobile proved to be the most disappointing in terms of programming, airing failed shows such as Stacked and The Loop during primetime instead of hits such as 24 or The Simpsons.
Still, there is a fair amount of live network broadcasts. We were able to watch the NCAA basketball tournament live while away from home, for example, and NBC News 2Go is a mix of mostly live programming from NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC. It's not exactly TiVoToGo, but V Cast could certainly come in handy during commutes or waiting for a flight.
Performance
One of Mobile TV's big draws is that it delivers live TV broadcasts rather than streaming video. That means true 30-frames-per-second transmission (EV-DO streaming services cap out at 15fps) and fantastic, crystal-clear video quality that rivals regular broadcast TV. We saw no lag between audio and video, and the video itself was crisp and vibrant. Some programs displayed a bit more artifacts than others, but it's far superior to any previous mobile video services. Of course the smaller display on a cell phone isn't conducive for extended viewing, but it's still a satisfying experience.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 reviews
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