Verizon's VCAST TV launch plans!
By Michael Caputo 
posted Jan 22nd 2007 3:00PM
posted Jan 22nd 2007 3:00PM
Psst, we have a secret to tell you: Verizon has a service coming out where you can watch TV on your cellphone. OK, well it's really not a secret thanks to a few friends of ours but we have some more details on the launch for you. The Network intends to launch their own branded MediaFLO product (aka VCast TV) March 1, 2007 with the Samsung U620 instead of the LGVX9400 due to the device having trouble in testing. It's expected to cost $15.00 per month and will initially launch in such cities as Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Chicago. Word on the street is that Verizon even has an exclusive on the product through October. [Thanks, HTC Kid]
Dammit, I was really looking forward to the vx9400 too.
This is stupid, so when will like other major cities get it. I live in San Francisco so probably 2008. Yea
That's just SOME of the major cities that have it, not ALL, so calm down JR... I bet San Fran will have it 3Q 2007 if not sooner.
So does this service provide full blown TV with streaming of all analog TV stations or is it simply of previously recorded, downloadable tv shows?
Right at the time when I get the $100 credit for actually sticking with a phone for 22 months!
I doubt I would use it though, so not really important to me. However, I do kine of like the Samsung it will be on.
I guess it really is just a waiting game now to see what phone I go with.
As for the exclusivity of MediaFlo, it shouldn't really be an issue. MediaFlo is Qualcomm's technology. As is CDMA and BREW which verizon has. Sprint would be the only carrier who might be interested in it, but since they don't even use BREW, probably not.
Any chance its coming to Pittsburgh in the month of March when it comes out?
From what I have heard, there will be about 8 select channels available upon launch. Some of the non primetime programming will pre-loaded (like last night's episode of 24 if you missed it) but all live programming (ESPN) and primetime programming should be live or only slightly delayed.
MediaFlo is going to have its own city launch list. It does not require VCast coverage to use. And yes, it is streaming live TV(the same programming on the same channel at the same time), but there are only 8 channels at this time(more to come)...... ;-)
The release was set for March 15th for the LG 9400, even with the bug fixes, I don't know about any new glitches. The Mobile TV works without the EVDO signal, and picks up mountain time cable channels, plays them like real time, you can view the channels loaded and see a couple days in advance, set reminders for shows...
what is up with the antenna? is it over the air television?
U.S. Cellular will be using MediaFLO as well.
To Start it will be 8 channels. Comedy Central is a definite, I know that. The Signal will be like the old analog TV, but of a higher quality. The antenna is, unfortunately, necessary. I know that there will be so many people walking around with one of these or the VX9400 when it comes out with that antenna sticking way out. Almost like one of the old Startacs. The Number of cities it will be deploying in is somewhere around 30-40, mostly East and West Coasts, with a few here and there in between. As for exclusivity, there have been a number of other companies looking into using MediaFlo, but at this time it is mostly that is being done, not deployment.
All in all MediaFlo will be a major churn factor this year. If Verizon does have it through October, they will be getting large numbers of impulse shoppers that want the newest coolest thing. I for one look forward to the launch, even though I live in an area that will likely not see the light for quite a while.
~JMD
MediaFLO is a digitally timesliced broadcast stream over UHF spectrum. It's very similar to DVB-H.
In other words, it's not analog, it's not over the cellular network, and it's not one-to-one downloading of video.
MediaFLO uses the old 55 UHF frequency. This is a network being built by Qualcomm and other carriers can use this network without interference. Sprint signed on for it and T-mobile is test it. The Antenna is Not required to extend unless in a fringe area. The 9400 is just delayed so far, it not on the scrapped list yet.
The problem is that mobile TV is beset by context-of-use issues. There’s an intriguing article about it here:
http://www.robinontech.com/2007/02/26/a-poor-reception-for-mobile-tv