Name: SPB TV
Version: 1.0
Developer: SPB Software House
Cost: USD 14.95
Compatibility: Windows Mobile 5, 6 and 6.1
Summary: SPB TV is an innovative IP-TV solution that makes it possible for Windows Mobile device owners to watch live TV without leaving the screen of their devices! The application has some pretty handy features:
- Wide selection of public TV (Free subscription channels )
- Over 70 channels from more than 17 countries with Picture-in-picture mode
- Integrated TV Guide with Outlook Integration
- Fast channels launch and switching
- Volume and backlight controls
- Network bandwidth fluctuations support
My Quicktake: We all know that Mobile TV is not ready to wean us away from our large TVs for serious TV watching. But Mobile TV makes a case for both sheer thrill and convenience and SPB TV is a great start for your first Mobile TV experience. I tried this application for a couple of days and it is worth the investment ($ 14.95) if you have access to speeds above 200-250 kbps. If you live in India and you still don't have access to 3G Networks, the program works well on Wi-fi or on an ActiveSync Connection. I tried them on both these connections (Speeds above 200 kbps) and the results were generally good without too many 'buffering' breaks. In terms of choice of channels, you get quite a few good free-to-air channels like Sky News, Bloomberg, Eurosport News, Deutsche Welle and CNN IBN (India). And when I did do a check with CNN IBN, the programming on the application was actually live. You can also add other free-to-air channels by visiting the Spb Software Website and submitting your channels. I do hope more free to air channels get added to the list! I particularly liked the PIP mode which lets you scroll through channels (without missing what you are watching!) and Newtork Bandwidth fluctuation support that allows you two modes depending on your connection speed.
