F1 TV - Initial Impressions
Discussion
Practice 2 is the first session I am watching on the F1 TV (I wasn't going to get up at 4am to try it).
First Impressions
Surprisingly, it's actually a pretty good start.
You can select any car and get the on-board view, or you can watch the live stream.
The on-board view is an unusual sensory experience - you don't get any sound other than the comms between the driver and the pit wall. When the pit wall talks to the driver you don't get any car/track noise however when the driver talks back then you do hear some engine noise.
If there is the same amount of discussion broadcast between teams and drivers during the live race, the teams are certainly going to employ people just to watch, listen and transcribe each of the feeds to try to pick up any hints (if they don't have this ability already).
The video feed isn't always perfect in quality like the live broadcast usually is. It could however be the WiFi connection from my iPad to the router to be fair.
When Kimi just went out of P2, I didn't see the on-board, but the camera went off pretty quick. I guess this is because it's powered by the car and it's then off? Would be good to have the video feed lasting longer.
4 areas that require improvement
1. They really need to integrate the commentary over the top so you can keep track of other action, but then automatically reduce the volume when the pit talks to the car and vice versa. Unless you're watching the live stream, it's like watching the TV on mute the whole time (with the occasional bit of talk...some drivers talk more occasionally than others!)
2. There are a couple of interface issues when using an iPad - it is just a web site. They really need an app set up properly. I am sure this will come. It's a pain in the ass to put the video feed into picture in picture to change to a different driver.
3. The ability to have multiple on-board views displayed at the same time
4. There are other cameras around the circuit that it would be really cool to be able to select when you view them - for example, the camera that flies along the start/finish straight, or from the helicopter.
My Long Term Hopes For F1 TV
I really hope that one day you could fully customize the race viewing experience in advance of the race day.
I'll add to this thread with more thoughts as and when they come.
First Impressions
Surprisingly, it's actually a pretty good start.
You can select any car and get the on-board view, or you can watch the live stream.
The on-board view is an unusual sensory experience - you don't get any sound other than the comms between the driver and the pit wall. When the pit wall talks to the driver you don't get any car/track noise however when the driver talks back then you do hear some engine noise.
If there is the same amount of discussion broadcast between teams and drivers during the live race, the teams are certainly going to employ people just to watch, listen and transcribe each of the feeds to try to pick up any hints (if they don't have this ability already).
The video feed isn't always perfect in quality like the live broadcast usually is. It could however be the WiFi connection from my iPad to the router to be fair.
When Kimi just went out of P2, I didn't see the on-board, but the camera went off pretty quick. I guess this is because it's powered by the car and it's then off? Would be good to have the video feed lasting longer.
4 areas that require improvement
1. They really need to integrate the commentary over the top so you can keep track of other action, but then automatically reduce the volume when the pit talks to the car and vice versa. Unless you're watching the live stream, it's like watching the TV on mute the whole time (with the occasional bit of talk...some drivers talk more occasionally than others!)
2. There are a couple of interface issues when using an iPad - it is just a web site. They really need an app set up properly. I am sure this will come. It's a pain in the ass to put the video feed into picture in picture to change to a different driver.
3. The ability to have multiple on-board views displayed at the same time
4. There are other cameras around the circuit that it would be really cool to be able to select when you view them - for example, the camera that flies along the start/finish straight, or from the helicopter.
My Long Term Hopes For F1 TV
I really hope that one day you could fully customize the race viewing experience in advance of the race day.
I'll add to this thread with more thoughts as and when they come.
rdjohn said:
Someone on BreakingNews.com was also complaining about buffering.
Is there any general interest coverage before, and after? What is the commentary during?
Watching one corner, just like trackside fans do, is a great idea. I guess most of the people in the Paddock have never done that.
Honestly, I only dipped into it while I was working. The commentary team are definitely English. I think it's the Sky team (I prefer the C4 guys so am not 100% certain on that).Is there any general interest coverage before, and after? What is the commentary during?
Watching one corner, just like trackside fans do, is a great idea. I guess most of the people in the Paddock have never done that.
I didn't watch the before or after - working
The Moose said:
LordGrover said:
Am I correct thinking it's not live (yet), just delayed highlights?
No. It is live.If they worked out a way to offer a full live stream in the UK I'd be onboard.
parabolica said:
The Moose said:
LordGrover said:
Am I correct thinking it's not live (yet), just delayed highlights?
No. It is live.If they worked out a way to offer a full live stream in the UK I'd be onboard.
Commentators
Just checked out a couple of the other races from last year and it is the Sky Team. Means I get Martin Brundle which isn't a bad thing...just a shame not to get the C4 team.
If I were Humphrey/Coulthard/Patel, I would be signing up with Liberty Media to provide the coverage for F1 TV once the Sky contract runs out - I'm pretty sure this platform will be the future.
It would open them up to a much larger market (the English speakers)
Just checked out a couple of the other races from last year and it is the Sky Team. Means I get Martin Brundle which isn't a bad thing...just a shame not to get the C4 team.
If I were Humphrey/Coulthard/Patel, I would be signing up with Liberty Media to provide the coverage for F1 TV once the Sky contract runs out - I'm pretty sure this platform will be the future.
It would open them up to a much larger market (the English speakers)
parabolica said:
The Moose said:
LordGrover said:
Am I correct thinking it's not live (yet), just delayed highlights?
No. It is live.If they worked out a way to offer a full live stream in the UK I'd be onboard.
Sam993 said:
Do we know how they authenticate access and who can sign up? I.e. does one need to have a foreign credit card/foreign IP to sign up and then use foreign IP to watch? Or do they not care what IP you view from as long as you've signed up and paid for access?
No one is quite sure, but they say they're fully compliant with EU streaming rules so if you can get registered and have a card from the continent, in a country where they do have it available, it should work in the UK. European countries are listed below.Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Croatia
France
Germany
Hungary
Monaco
Poland
Romania
Serbia
Slovenia
Switzerland
lotus72 said:
This sounds like 20 years ago when I worked on Bernie Vision!
In some ways he was ahead of the game. He saw a demonstration of the early version of in-vision graphics overlays which were aware of foreground objects (the sort of system you see on American Football coverage) & instantly realised the potential for selling advertising space on the cars. The technology wasn't up to it, but he knew how to make money from it.Tried a 1 month package here in Cayman Islands, 8,99 KYD. Qualification doesn't seem to work, lot of buffering and freezing but TBH that also might be the internet connection at the hotel I'm working from today.
Will try race tomorrow from home where internet should be better. Will try both using a browser on my laptop, and the F1 App on my Android mediabox hooked up to my TV.
Will try race tomorrow from home where internet should be better. Will try both using a browser on my laptop, and the F1 App on my Android mediabox hooked up to my TV.
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