RAmos iTV PMP is first to handle China's CMMB mobile TV standard
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 28th 2008 6:10PM
posted Jul 28th 2008 6:10PM
[Via iTech News Net]
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i liKe wheN comPAnIes randOmly cApitaliZe leTterS iN theiR naMe
oh china..
For those of you who have never been to China before...
I've lived there a total of 2 years on business (as well as Japan).
Chinese television, remember, is completely CONTROLLED by the government.
Imagine having 10 channels of TV similar to National Geographic. Now add 2 or three channels like the History channel. Then add some more Channels where you take visual tours around the country itself just to see who else lives there.
NOW Imagine you don't have access to world television. Imagine that anything the government "doesn't like" can be filtered and kept from you at any given time. This might not be "sexual " media...this might be something as simple as CNN or BBC or maybe even a religious show like Joel Osteen.
As soon as they don't like it, its gone.
China is the worst possible place you could possibly want to watch Television in.
What's sad is, the communist controlled government has proven that by keeping children forced to watch television with values (their values) and educational content, they can keep them outperforming dumbass American children who watch mindless programming such as Naruto, and whatever happens to be on on a Saturday.
Its a difference of idealogies at work. Its not just TV.
@ flashpoint:
Hmm, I've lived in Hong Kong and have seen a lot of Mainland TV, and it's not as bad as you make it out to be. In addition to national channels, they also have regional channels like Guangzhou TV which has a myriad of shows, including shows like the American-Idol of China (shudders) and what not. Much like what you would watch in the US of A... hell, I've watched Jack Bauer dubbed in putunghua! I don't have experience with accessibility to international media, but from what I understand, BBC is now unblocked, and people in Guangzhou typically have unfettered access to Hong Kong's TVB which in turn broadcasts news freely.
Up here in Canada, Rogers also gives us free "previews" of numerous international channels from all around the world and I've tried tuning into the Chinese direct broadcasts; and in addition to the aforementioned local channels, some are very educational history shows like you say (and rather than what you assume they might be, ie-brainwashing about CCP), it's mostly about the ancient Chinese dynasties.
Was it possible your selection was only so limited because the hotel/location you stayed at doesn't carry all the TV channels. It's like when I went to Charlottetown, PEI, the hotel only had weather network and some local news!
Hongkong TV does not equal Mainland TV.
I lived in Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou.
Guangzhou and Hong Kong have much more freedom than interior China.
I did a thorough analysis of Chinese Television ( I speak, read write and type Mandarin) after going to school at Fudan University.
I disagree with you. Their Television is like brainwashing.
@Flashpoint:
I've lived and worked in China a lot longer than 2 years and I have to disagree with your assessment of Chinese TV.
What you're describing does sound a bit like some of CCTV's networks. Their news programs are the CCP's mouthpiece, so that's basically all you can expect. But CCTV does air over a dozen different channels, include ones dedicated to movies, music, opera, etc...Surely not everything is there to "brainwash" people.
Then there are local channels, which are much less "official" than CCTV. I find what Aron said to be quite accurate.
As too BBC and CNN international, they were both part of my cable package when I lived in Beijing a few years ago. I can only imagine that it'd be more accessible today.
With such a complicated and sometimes difficult history, the Chinese people have learned not to blindly trust anyone or anything. So they're not good candidates for brainwash. :-)
Standard wise, the thing I hate most are the so many cell phone standards. Can we just settle down on GSM and kill all other formats?
I agree
China has *got* to stop putting the word "China" in the names of all its standards and formats.
But how else would you know it's from China, the happiest place on earth?
(But seriously, stop dissing stuff based on their origin, starting to sound racist at this point.)
I'm glad that they do. Makes it easy to stay clear of them.
Tell ya what...go shopping with a Chinese native in an American store and watch how they buy things. Guarrantee you they won't even look twice at this.
I don't get how they would even be able to get a look of this if they're in an American store...but the only Chinese Natives that would be shopping in American stores are those with money. And people with money are going to buy things that they see as being valuable and currently that's anything American/European/Western. It's sad, but true.
Having been to China many a time I definitely got more than enough channels. Sure there are quite a few CCTV channels but there were a lot of other channels as well. (this was in Beijing btw).
Back on topic, I think it's rather ridiculous to be developing their own standard but then I can see their reasoning behind it. Not having to pay royalties is definitely a plus. And I mean, Japan has had their own 3G network standard for ages now and no one is complaining about that...
Hey, look, it's CNN's logo font. Also, what heck is Flashpoint rambling about and how is it related to this post?
Ironic, isn't it?
China has no problem of accessing foreign TV contents. Chinese TV viewers have much wider TV choices than Americans. Many foreign TV contents are with Chinese subtitles, so be aware, the Chinese people are watching.
well, i got one of these things at my home 4 months ago ... so, it's nothing new
i will scan the spec sheet for u guys. where can i upload it?
Yippeeeeee! Another standard! Thanks for making the Digital TV transmission world even more confusing!
Is it just me or does that red switch on it and the color scheme just remind you of some old gadget, like a tape recorder or something? It's not that I hate it, it actually looks quite swell and stylish, but most offerings from RAmos are disappointing to say the least in terms of the GUI and performance.
Yeah it looks like my old walkman, and for that I kinda like it as well as the style you're referring to.
I for one am waiting for the world to bring back a boombox that doesn't either wake you up or is built into a car. No you don't have that many friends, and a rush hour stoplight party will never ever happen forever.