Watching Live TV on Iphone.

bulleyes

Dear Boards.ie people,

I would like to ask if anyone has any experience with apps such as BBC World, where you can supposedly watch live TV. I have loads of News Apps (no video on these and few pictures), but I'm afraid of the amount of data watching Live TV will use up.
So, my question: While I know that it's pretty hard to use up 1GB, i'm still afraid to go over my 1GB allowance. Has anyone got this app., or would someone perhaps tell me how much allowance, roughly, it would use.
Please bear in mind that I'm no Techie.....
I have a 1.Gen Iphone with 3.0 firmware...(??). Pay Monthly Package. Don't know if this information is relevant.

Also, I understand a new Iphone (3GS) is about to be released. Apparantly, according to the good people at O2, I'm entitled to a silver upgrade.
If I was to upgrade to a 16GB, it states it would cost €199. My qustion is, how does upgrading work?
I still have 8 months left on the 'old' plan - does upgrading your phone impact on this, or do you just carry on with your monthy bill plan as always (just with a new phone in your pocket.)

I'm terribly sorry for asking such stupid questions on a Sunday Morning/Afternoon.

I appreciate your time.

Thanks
Regards
Mel.

anoble66

Hey,

Do you mean BBC iplayer? If so, it only works from the UK unless you use a UK based proxy.

You would use your data allowance up fairly quick watching streaming video. BBC iplayer and other video streaming apps will generally stream at 500kbps. So in the space of 1 min you have used just under 30Mb of your data allowance!

Your better off using heavy bandwidth apps like this over Wifi only unless you have a massive data allowance..

bulleyes

Thanks Anoble66,

I will stick to news apps without live videos and the like.

It's unfortunate that we don't get unlimited data usage in Ireland, and the WiFi network is rather patchy here in Carlow.

Your time is much appreciated.

Thanks.
Mel.

bulleyes

Do you mean BBC iplayer?

I'm sorry, I never answered that question.

Truth is, I dont know what an iplayer is! Basically, I spotted the BBC World Live app in ITunes, and being a news junkie I thought it would be excellent to have live TV on my Iphone.
They do state that watching 10 mins would require roughly 7.2MB of data usage. I was wondering if they were 'dressing it up' as it doesn't sound like a lot.
Saying that, I know very little about MB and GB and the likes.

Thanks again for your time.

Mel.

philiporeilly

I purchased that app and the quality is great over wifi. Its reduced quality on 3G but still watchable but you do need a good signal for it to work. Bandwidth usage isnt much of an issue over your wifi connection but I could see it eating into your 1Gb allowance over 3g.

SalthillGuy

philiporeilly wrote: »

I purchased that app and the quality is great over wifi. Its reduced quality on 3G but still watchable but you do need a good signal for it to work. Bandwidth usage isnt much of an issue over your wifi connection but I could see it eating into your 1Gb allowance over 3g.

I think signal quality is the main issue.
I agree, it does eat up the 1Gb allowance in a hurry.

Dades

It's simple to keep track of how much of your monthly allowance you use, so I can't see why this would be an issue. You just access O2 Data Usage (dial *111#) and you know if you need to curb your viewing!

That said, even with streaming video you'll need to watch a LOT of it to get near your allowance.

Thought about buying the BBC News app, but the free France 24 one (English speaking) is good enough, tbh.

daingeanrob

cheers for that france 24 is cool (and free!) but doesn't seem to broadcast live over 3g, just works when in wi-fi range.

keith_d99

Anybody try the RTE Player?

Tom Dunne

keith_d99 wrote: »

Anybody try the RTE Player?

It won't work - the iPhone doesn't support flash based videos outside of YouTube. Unless there is specific software written for it (e.g. like the BBC software above).

keith_d99

Ah I am sure that the RTE IT department are working on it as we speak :rolleyes:

Tom Dunne wrote: »

It won't work - the iPhone doesn't support flash based videos outside of YouTube. Unless there is specific software written for it (e.g. like the BBC software above).

anoble66

There is rumors about that they will release an iphone app for viewing the rte streams.....but they would definately need to reduce the quality of the video....50mins at the moment will suck up over 200Mb of bandwidth.

bulleyes

Thanks for all the replies!

I have indeed had a look at the France 24 app.( I watch it a lot on the telly along with Al Jazeera English).
Being free (France 24) is not so much the issue - rather the data allowance live TV would 'eat' up. I dont fully understand MB and GB, although I'm getting there, and was trying to get an idea of the data usage on such apps.

All answers are very much appreciated and I will stick to 'ordinary' news apps.

I do know how to check the usage (which I seem to be doing all the time!) both on the phone and on the o2website. I still seem to have this fear of going over the limit. I wish they would give us unlimited data usage!
It sure would make the life of us 'not-so-clever-in-the-MB/GB-department' people a bit easier!

Again, thanks for the answers.

Mel.

Dades

Just downloaded the SKY News app, which is pretty slick.

Not exactly "live" but I'd imagine the content is updated as frequently as their main site. Not bad for the price (i.e. FREE!)

Gibs

bulleyes wrote: »

I do know how to check the usage (which I seem to be doing all the time!) both on the phone and on the o2website. I still seem to have this fear of going over the limit.

Is this the 21st century version of being afraid that you have left the immersion on?

I have BBC World News Live, France 24 and Sky News and use them most days over 3G for about 10-15 mins in total (lunchbreak/on the bus). I usually use up less than 200Meg of the allowed 1,000Meg of download data and I also listen to internet radio and download the occasional file/photo/email via 3G. I think you would have to use it a lot in order to go over your monthly limit.

bulleyes

Gibs wrote: »

Is this the 21st century version of being afraid that you have left the immersion on?

Absolutely!:D
That's exactly what it's like! Couldn't have put it better myself!

Thanks for your answer. It's much appreciated:)

Mel.