DivX, FM Radio, Video Recording

[sjdean]

It's quite amazing how few NexusOne owners, actually seem to know anything about their phone, such as about how long it can record video for, whether there are any work around for the lack of Google software.

I want a NexusOne, make no mistake, but the Desire seems at least initially better supported out of the box with various N97 apps. Im not even sure if I should make the jump yet because at least my N97 gives me 32 gig on board memory, 5MP camera, 1hr 30m video recording etc.

Google meanwhile have released an awesome phone in the way of the N97, then seemed to have limited the video recording app, only support 3GP recording, 20fps in low light, no mention of 720P HD Recording or DivX support (as is rumoured for the HTC Desire), no FM Radio, and no support for the alledged built in Wireless N and FM Transmitter. Just the above paragraph would stop me getting a NexusOne (and possibly a Desire because at this stage, Im confused between whether this is an OS issue, app issue, or driver issue, about how the Desire can support it and the NexusOne can't...).

Still, I would be hoping you guys will know the answer.

So I put together a list of pros and cons between the desire and nexus (keeping everything positive):

Nexus One Pros:

• Early Updates
• Supports Triband 3G/UMTS
• Speech to Text

Cons:
Rumoured 2G/3G Issues (Im in the UK on O2 where 3G coverage is patchy at best and routinely bounces between GSM, Edge, 3G and 3.5G)
Lack of App Support by Google for its Own Device

HTC Desire Pros:

• FM Radio
• Can buy in the UK (Warranty Issues)

 

[Teknologic]

DivX is patented and altough you can download it for free for PC, I think companies have to pay to implement the codecs in their software so don't count on any free DivX playing apps soon.

I'm not into recording video's so I couldn't help you with that. Other then refer to the Nexus One's specifications, where it says Video captured at 720x480 pixels, which afaik is still 720p.

As for the FM transmitter: As you said so yourself, it's rumoured to be released in Froyo. But even if it isn't, I beleive there have been xda developpers who have managed to enable the FM radio and are working on getting it operational (don't know the latest on that tho).

 

[sjdean]

I thought I said FM Radio, not transmitter. I could probably live with some limitations on video as long as I had FM Radio.

Im not quite sure what the hold up is.

If the Desire can manage it, then it can't be down to the android version. Is it Google just dragging their heels on drivers and apps? Do Google release apps and drivers independently of the software release? I don't see why FM Radio support would be held up until the next release of Android.

I understand a great thing with the Android is the rooting and ability to put on other ROMS. If you took a Nexus and put on a Desire ROM, would Radio work?

 

[SnotF]

I really don't get all the fuss about FM radio. I've said this before, I have Sirius and mp3s. Do you guys REALLY listen to FM that it'd be a deal breaker? I get the other points, but its got i'm playback and Sirius is releasing an app this summer.... what's the attraction to FM?

 

[Mostly Harmless]

I really don't get all the fuss about FM radio. I've said this before, I have Sirius and mp3s. Do you guys REALLY listen to FM that it'd be a deal breaker? I get the other points, but its got i'm playback and Sirius is releasing an app this summer.... what's the attraction to FM?

I guess some people may have some local radios shows they like etc...but when it comes to music MP3's + Pandora=win. And it's even better if you want to pony up for the sirius app (I have sirius in my car right now but I won't pay extra each month to have it on my phone, mp3s and pandora do just fine).

Also I don't see why you need your phone to be able to record over 30 minutes of video. The impact on your battery must be pretty high.

But if these issues are really an issue then go get the Desire, you are still supporting Android

 

[SnotF]

Yeah I'm betting we'll be able to use our existing online login for the Sirius app- it wont cost anything extra... although by that time froyo may ne here and flash support too... so then well be able to login online if they charge for the app anyway. Furthermore if they didn't enable the FM radio, you guys could just go to the stations website and listen there...

 

[Mostly Harmless]

Yeah I'm betting we'll be able to use our existing online login for the Sirius app- it wont cost anything extra... although by that time froyo may ne here and flash support too... so then well be able to login online if they charge for the app anyway. Furthermore if they didn't enable the FM radio, you guys could just go to the stations website and listen there...

I wouldn't take that bet, they charge an extra fee per month for the iPhone app which is why I didn' get it when I had my iPhone

Sirius XM's latest blunder: Its iPhone app | The Digital Home - CNET News

2.99 extra month

 

[Roze]

if they didn't enable the FM radio, you guys could just go to the stations website and listen there...

True, but for some people that don't have a data plan or their data plan is outrageous ($25 for 500mb) having the radio on the phone is convenient.

 

[SnotF]

That's what wifi is for. And if you don't have either you should've bout a razr and a Walkman, imho

 

[Viralmind]

i can see a need for radio for this one certain reason.

personally my gf does not have a aftermarket cd deck in her car.
she has a factory cd player with no tape deck or aux input.

say she wants to listen to mp3's...

if the phone had FM, you could use a wireless FM receiver to plug into the cigarette lighter, and play mp3's from phone to car radio.

the same way you would with an mp3 player wirelessly.

 

[SnotF]

If I'm understandingyou correctly, that would be EXTREMLEMY useful. If it was a gmt transmitter. Which its not. It's a receiver.

 

[cred05]

if the phone had FM, you could use a wireless FM receiver to plug into the cigarette lighter, and play mp3's from phone to car radio.

You can do that anyway via bluetooth. Phone sends it to the receiver via bluetooth which then sends it to the radio via FM.

Now the snapdragon processor is capable of sending and receiving FM, so once someone figures out how to do both those things on a nexus, you wouldnt need to have a receiver, it would just go directly from your phone to the radio.

FM is supposedly coming to the Nexus in Froyo, and unlike Nokia, it usually does happen.

 

[Viralmind]

You can do that anyway via bluetooth. Phone sends it to the receiver via bluetooth which then sends it to the radio via FM.

Now the snapdragon processor is capable of sending and receiving FM, so once someone figures out how to do both those things on a nexus, you wouldnt need to have a receiver, it would just go directly from your phone to the radio.

FM is supposedly coming to the Nexus in Froyo, and unlike Nokia, it usually does happen.

bluetooth to fm? can you show me apps?
ive never done that before.

 

[Viralmind]

If I'm understandingyou correctly, that would be EXTREMLEMY useful. If it was a gmt transmitter. Which its not. It's a receiver.

its too bad its not...

 

[wintermute000]

I don't understand the obsession with divx.
Surely you're wanting to transcode your video to squish the size down, given limited space on mobile as opposed to PC.
So hence who cares you're transcoding anyway....
anyhow in the hi definition era x264 in mkvs is the way to go