640x480 at 30 fps sounds like something aimed at the US Television market, perhaps the chips doing the compression was cheaper for that standard ?
Indeed, 720x576 at 25fps would be ideal for true DVD - and the resulting bitrate would be somewhat lower at that setting..
Then, I suspect most video would be watched on a PC where the actual format is less important, as long as the Mpeg4 standard is used.
Regards
Michael
By the way, Nokias Russian website lists the N93, N73 and N72 as well as the 5500 as already available. The 5500 is available in Denmark too. No luck in any other european country...
bodstrup wrote:Well, I am sorry, but I am not very impressed with the video - given the hype about the phone we have heard.The dynamic range does not look to be great, but then it is a very difficult motive you have chosen, a very dark dog, front in the shadow, and the background in bright sunlight. I am probably spoiled with a 3CCD Sony VX2000 Camcorder and a Canon EOS 20D DSLR though.
Also I felt that the grass and especially plants in the far left of the picture as the dog runs away looks washed out with little details. There is also visible blocks around the dog as it moves. Hardly suprising. Perhaps Nokia has chosen to compress to much to save memory space at the expense of quality
It is clearly close to or equal to my wifes cheap Sharp Digicam, so it can replace that type of device, but not a high end system. Problem is, once you use such a system it is very hard to go back.
For most of the people who watch what I record, I doubt they will find the same issues.
Still, I might get one of those, finances permitting, when you look at the TV output capability and everything else, it is an impressive package
Regards
Michael
This video, didn�t impress me much, also. And I�m only interessed in N93, if it can replace my DSC and Camcorder. If not, my choice gonna be N73. So, once again, the video quality is mandatory for me!
*STOP PRESS* After 24 hours intensive useage, I can report that the N93's firmware (10.0.017, 29-6-06) isn't ready for the prime time - loads of crashes and bugs. I cannot believe that what we have is a production model - here's hoping it was late beta firmware.
More as I find out about this tomorrow and Tuesday.
Steve Litchfield
slitchfield wrote:*STOP PRESS* After 24 hours intensive useage, I can report that the N93's firmware (10.0.017, 29-6-06) isn't ready for the prime time - loads of crashes and bugs. I cannot believe that what we have is a production model - here's hoping it was late beta firmware.More as I find out about this tomorrow and Tuesday.
Steve Litchfield
Thats probably why Carphonewarehouse have taken it off in their latest catalogue - they said to me it will be released in September!!! :icon13:
This does not sound good. Does it come with the new version of Symbian that supports over-the-air upgrade of the firmware? It would be comforting to know, that even if it is buggy when we get it, it can easily be upgraded once a new version of the firmware is available.
Oh, and another thing. I suppose the N93 looses a good chunk of memory when switching to landscape, just like the E71?
Enfors wrote:Oh, and another thing. I suppose the N93 looses a good chunk of memory when switching to landscape, just like the E71?
Actually, no, that's one of the bits that works. Along with the torch. 8-)
The landscape thing is an E70-specific firmware bug.
Steve
Ok. Could you tell us (briefly - I realise all info will be available in the review) what's wrong with the firmware?
I've (so far) only seen one or two problems (e.g. an out of memory when zooming into an image), but Steve has been using it more intensively than I have.
I'm going to give it an intensive slog today.
I think the key issue may be the lack of available RAM (i.e. a bit like the 6680). This has an impact on multi tasking. Thus how much you will affected depends on how you use your phone. If you leave application open (as is best for multi tasking) then you may find they are closed in the backgroun for example.
I'm not sure that it isn't ready for release, rather people may want to be aware that it may not have enough RAM, (e.g. I had my contacts + Gallery + Java app open + Web, then took a picture after which only the camera app was still open).
I see. How much RAM does it have available with no applications running?
After boot, it's just under 20MB, which sounds large enough. But 3rd Edition uses more RAM for most tasks than previous versions, Web uses more, the camera uses a lot more, Gallery uses more, etc.
For a working smartphone, it has to be able to keep basic PIM apps in memory while using at least 2 other major apps (e.g. video camera and Web) - the N93 runs this close to the limit.
HOWEVER - I don't believe the problem is RAM here - I think it's buggy firmware. 90% of the issues I found were bugs, pure and simple, as evidenced by 'KERN EXEC' errors, spontaneous resets, out of memory errors (when there was plenty), and so on.
All fixable in firmware, of course, which is why I'm hoping that our review units *weren't* production/retail ones.
Steve
Not knowing anything about Symbian (I'm a PalmOS user until I get my N93), I wonder what it does with the remaining 30 MB RAM that are not available after boot?
slitchfield wrote:HOWEVER - I don't believe the problem is RAM here - I think it's buggy firmware. 90% of the issues I found were bugs, pure and simple, as evidenced by 'KERN EXEC' errors, spontaneous resets, out of memory errors (when there was plenty), and so on.All fixable in firmware, of course, which is why I'm hoping that our review units *weren't* production/retail ones.
Steve
So pleased you chaps are available to beta test all the latest devices for us, saves me buying it and having to do it!!!
Hmmmm, the last few N series devices do seem to be being released with some fairly OBVIOUS bugs in the OS. One would think these would be spotted by the beta testers, like the picture zooming out of memory error on the N80. At least Nokia seem pretty good about issuing firmware upgrades, IF you know that this might be necessary.
Can't wait for the full review on this one, still interested due to the potential as a DV-Cam.
It transpires, after much digging, that the N93s we were sent don't have the most recent firmware on, after all 8-(
For the record, the latest appears to be v10.0.025. I'm looking to get my unit re-flashed before writing the review.
Steve
Some nokia camera phones (my N90 comes to mind) often tint skin tones, making them too yellow / orange even in decent lighting. This is my fear with the N93. Could you post a pic and small clip of someone indoors? It's amazing how many test pics I see from devices that don't ever include people. This ruined the N90 for me.
slitchfield wrote:It transpires, after much digging, that the N93s we were sent don't have the most recent firmware on, after all 8-(For the record, the latest appears to be v10.0.025. I'm looking to get my unit re-flashed before writing the review.
Steve
As salles already had started, which will be the version of these phones? This 10.0.025 or a still previous one?
Question: In the E61 review, it was stated that there is no way to immediately "page up" or "page down" in the web browser. Instead, you have to move the pointer to the edge of the screen to scroll. Is this also true for the N93?
You'd think that they'd implement this using the numeric keypad:
8 = page up
4 = page left, 6 = page right
2 = page down.
But I take it they didn't?
Enfors - no changes in that department I'm afraid. However it may just be me but scrolling seems a bit quicker.
andrewsmcd - I'll make sure some of those photos get included in the (p)review
heard the n93 will be avalable in next 5 days, the pictures here were of the silver model, do u know if this will be the case when on general sale straight away or will we have to wait a bit longer for the silver one?
Hello everyone. I found this topic by accident and I am pleased to find constructive stuff and vital information about the N93, my next phone. Thumbs up everyone. Regarding the N93 i think NOKIA should not have released it yet, eventhough i do not know if i can wait longer for my provider to get the shipment.
The news you testers have posted are not encouraging. I mean if I am going to pay 650-700 euros for this phone, I do not want it to crash. For this price i expect quality and not bugged firmwares 😞.
rafe,
would you rather have n91 or n93? because i currently have n91 but i am allowed an upgrade tomorrow so i might sell n91 for n93, but n73 i also here 😊
I've just ordered my N93, and I have a question -
The phone has Wifi built in, right? That being the case, using a Wifi access point, is it possible to use the phone with the VOIP protocol?
It'd be great to be able to use VOIP when I was at home, and my mobile tarrif when I'm away from home! 😊
Colvette wrote:I've just ordered my N93, and I have a question -The phone has Wifi built in, right? That being the case, using a Wifi access point, is it possible to use the phone with the VOIP protocol?
It'd be great to be able to use VOIP when I was at home, and my mobile tarrif when I'm away from home! 😊
Yes! See this: http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/forum//forum/thread/48811/
Does the TV out RCA connections include audio (left&right)?
badchad wrote:Does the TV out RCA connections include audio (left&right)?
Yes! See the cable in N93 box here: http://www.planete-nokia.com/phpBB2/index.php?showtopic=26353&st=630
Audio: Left / Right and Video.
Everyone keeps saying it'll be out July, which is unlikely considering it's now August and it has still to be seen. I'm almost at the end of my O2 online contract and want this phone real bad!! However, I don't want to wait months longer for it. Any idea of full network support for this phone?
Brengla wrote:Everyone keeps saying it'll be out July, which is unlikely considering it's now August and it has still to be seen. I'm almost at the end of my O2 online contract and want this phone real bad!! However, I don't want to wait months longer for it. Any idea of full network support for this phone?
The phone is "out" and has been for a week, just not in the UK. Expansys will have stock in Monday 31st, so you can still get it for July 😊...
Hearing atm only voda and o2 but other will follow once high street reatailers see how popular it is..
A lot of online retailers will have the phone in stock on Wednesday 2nd August!!
Check here for price plan comparrisons:
http://www.fluidmobile.co.uk/display.asp?hs=n93&network=&tariff=&gift=
Is out, in Germany!