Full Screen - Low Motion
Each image is divided into two parts, a reference (3,000Kbit/s) and quality at different bitrates (100-1,000Kbit/s). The different bitrates will always be shown from 100Kbit/s to 1,000Kbit/s. So you can see how different bit rates affect quality for each scene type. Keep in mind the 3,000Kbit/s bitrate shown on the right side of the image, is the maximum bitrate that the LocationFree allows, so the quality will never surpass the 3,000Kbit/s reference side of the image.
I’d also like to point out that these pictures are taken directly from the video streams, so what you see is what you get.
In this scene we are viewing the host, Stephen Colbert, speaking. Notice how there is very little body movement and the only real movement is in his mouth area. The actual frame taken from the video was just one frame before the comedy central logo appears in the bottom right hand corner. The video clip is only a guideline to show how much motion is in each scene and should not be used to judge quality of the LocationFree video stream.
Colbert Report Video Clip
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
It appears from figures 1-2 there is still a very obvious difference in quality compared to the reference image. In figure 3 it becomes increasingly difficult to discern the difference between figure 3 and the reference image. And finally in Figure 4 it seems that the quality gains end there, figure 4 looks nearly identical to the reference image.
The frame prediction proved so effective we were able to watch a decent video stream even at 100Kbit/s bitrate.
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Filed under: LocationFree, Sony
29 Comments
Great Review! and to think I doubted you with another review.
But I will have to agree with your conclusion, the main problem being the broadband Internet access we currently use, it’s not fast enough and personally I would prefer something much larger than 320 x 240.
but the LocationFree Base Station is a great idea!
David,
I’m glad you enjoyed the review. I really didn’t expect this review to take as long as it did (2 months). I underestimated the complexity of the product. I didn’t want to put out just another LocationFree review that gives my opinion on it, there’s already many of them all over the net. I just wanted this review to show the readers first hand what quality they should expect from the product without the need to actually purchase it. I would have liked to include an original streaming video from the LocationFree to show exactly how the video stream appears, but due to bandwidth issues I couldn’t justify the cost. Google video or Youtube wouldn’t do the job, when a video is hosted by either one, the video is altered, usually degrading the quality, which would not reflect what the LocationFree is capable of. So I settled on unaltered images taken directly from the stream.
I appreciate your support David.
Your test methods are innovative.
Phi’s the best!
Hi.
Does this device work with the p990i? The UK has software for the SE p990i but it doesn’t work on this model. Also the product doesn’t work in the UK (PAL) - Will a PAL to NTSC converter do the trick? Can an analogue converter do the job or does it need to be digital.
I recent imported one from the US to work in the UK and find myself in this position.
Gerry,
That’s strange Gerry, I thought the UK P990 LocationFree software would work with the LocationFree Base Station (LF-b20). Could you go into more detail about what goes wrong when you try to use the locationfree software on the P990? As for the converter that sounds like a reasonable plan, I don’t believe the signal must be digital, analog should be fine.
Hopefully this issue gets sorted out soon, let me know how things go.
Hi,
Fantastic review, so in depth and very well done. Like Gerry in live in the UK and have been put off buying the lf b20 because of the pal/ntsc issue. I understand that Sony are going to launch the lf pk20 version for thr UK. Do you have any idea when it will be available ?
Ian,
I really have no idea if/when the LF PK20 will reach the UK. I was looking over the UK Sony site and noticed the LF-PK1, and it seems to have all the same features as the LF-B20. I’m not really sure what exactly is the difference between LF-PK1 and LF-PK20. The major feature that sets the LF-B20 from the LF-B10 is the added WiFi. Here’s the page I was reading on the LF-PK1.
I appreciate the compliment, thanks for reading!
Does the Sony allow you to progam in Infra Red remotes that are not in the predefined list of devices that can be controlled? how is this done?
LJ,
Good question, I was worried about the same issues and I’m glad to report you can definitely program remote commands into your very own custom remote scheme.
1. In order to make this work you’ll need your remote control that you wish to program into the LF-B20.
2. Once you have the remote you wish to program in hand, you’ll need the LF-B20 near by and the device you are using to access the LF-B20 using the provided Sony software.
3. You then open the LocationFree program on your device (PSP, Laptop, etc) and access the list of remote controls, near the end of the list you will find a few custom control schemes, select one of those.
4. A standard LocationFree remote will appear on the screen, from here you can pair each button on the custom remote to match a function on your real remote by aiming the remote at the LF-B20’s infrared port located just below the indicator lights.
For example, if I wanted to add volume up to the LF remote, I would press the volume up button on the custom control scheme, then point the real remote at the LF-B20 and press the volume up button, so you can pretty much program any commands from your remote into a custom LF remote.
Take care LJ thanks for dropping by!
Bar far the best review I have seen on this product. Thank you. I just had one question. Did you try to stream video directly over wifi to the client without using your internet connection? How was the resulting video? I’m trying to find out if you just wanted to use your PSP to watch TV in another room, and not have to limit your video quality to your internet connection speed, would the video be better and what kind of range could be expected? I’m thinking about buying this so I can use my PSP to watch TV in other rooms in the house. I really don’t need the internet video access at this time. Any info you have will be really helpful. Thanks again.
Frank,
I actually use the LocationFree on my PSP and laptop at home on a daily basis, here’s what I’ve learned so far.
The LF-B20 is very flexible, it can act as it’s own Access Point (AP) or connect to a wireless router. If you are connecting to the LF-B20 within the home both settings I mentioned before can stream at a maximum of 3,000Kb/s, so you’ll be getting the best quality the LF-B20 can dish out. The reference images are a good indicator of what quality you should expect when you stream at 3,000Kb/s. The range on the LF-B20 when it acts as an AP is roughly 30 ft, this is with walls between me and the LF-B20. I’d say the range is very similar to WiFi routers (non-mimo).
I appreciate your compliment Frank, let me know if you have any other questions, I’ll be glad to help.
Thanks Iron. That clears things up a lot.
Are you saying that since I already have a wireless router, I should use that as kind of a repeater to increase the range of the LF-B20? Instead of just using the LF-B20 as an access point? I didn’t really think about that. That would be especially convenient since my router is in the center of the house and the LF-B20 would be all the way in the back of the house. So the PSP would just pick up the signal from the router at top speed, regardless of internet speed?
Am I thinking about this correctly?
Frank,
You are right on the money, I currently use my router to extend the range of the LF-B20, I had to do this because the room with cable is in the living room which is on the furthest end of the house (just my luck). The WiFi router connected to the cable internet happens to be between my room and the LF-B20, so it works out quite nicely.
The LF-B20 will bypass the internet completely and simply connect to your PSP via WiFi router.
Iron,
That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks for all the help. I’ll be getting an LF-B20 in the next week or two. I’ll be sure to let you know if I have any problems ;)
Hi,
Great review. I have just two questions. I have a comcast digital cable box. Is there a way that i can stream live digital cable across the internet to a location away from home? If so how?
My second question is when streaming over the internet, do i need to subscribe to a special service in order to recieve the feed from the base station?
One more question.
I have a PC laptop. Can i get the feed from the base station on any PC laptop computer?
Where can I get a side by side comparison of the LF-pk1 and the LF-B20. The pk1 is about 50 bucks cheeper on ebay than the B20. There has to be some kind of difference.
Alex,
I’m not too familiar with the LF-PK1 product, but from what I’ve read it seems to be an older model. Glancing over the specs the only major difference I’ve noticed is the wireless ability. The LF-B20 can act as a wireless access point, so instead of going through the router you could directly connect to the LF-B20 when you are at home. The LF-PK1 on the other hand has no mention of wireless AP capability. I hope this helps Alex, take care.
I have a question. I was wondering will the product work over a pppoe connection? My broadband connection company is Verizon. I have a dynamic ip connection. Meaning it my ip address changes.
Hi Cook,
Excellent review…i am sure i cannot find a better review online. I have one questions and appreciate if you answer it.
Q: I have upto 2MBPS download & upload speed broadband connection, i will be travelling most of the times and thought this is the best option to keep watching my fav. channels, i have sony vaio ar s1su laptop, my question is will there be any delay in transmission?…if so how much will it be and what will it depend on
waiting for your response
thanks
Kishore,
There will be a delay in transmission, but only by 1-2 seconds, it’s really minor in my opinion nothing to worry about. And it sounds like your upload speed on your connection will suit your locationfree nicely.
If you have any other questions please let me know, and thanks for reading the review!
Hi Iron Cook, like many of the comments before…hands down the best review. People love details… and you’ve provide the insight we’re looking for before we invest in a new product/technology.
I have not seen any info on using a Windows Media Center as a video source (assuming PC has video-out option). In theory it should work much like a traditional DVR…powers on/off with IR and controlled by remote. WHat interests me is if the features available to Media Center like music, photo’s, games, DIVX movies, etc would stream as well?? Is there any reason they wouldn’t given they play off my TV without issue..
Thanks again and keep reviewing!!!
Hi, Iron Cook. I’m hoping that you can point me in the right direction..
I recently purchased the LF-B20 and, after an aborted first install (because my router didn’t support uPNP until I updated the firmware), I was able to register my wired pc and my wireless laptop easily. When I try to register my PSP, when I press (and hold) the setup button, the setup mode LED blinks red, the PSP sits there and finally times out. I’ve also tried a coworkers PSP, with the same results. I updated the B20’s firmware to version 4, and the PSP is at 3.8.
I’ve initialized the base station and reentered all my network settings, and the pc and laptop work, but the PSP will not register. Do you have any information or resources I might be able to tap into?
Thanks for your assistance.
Dave K,
That’s a really intriguing idea, here’s my thoughts on it. Assuming you have the cables/adapters to connect the PC to the LocationFree, I think the main limitation would be what the remote can do. Most applications don’t use remote commands, but as you’ve mentioned Windows Media Center would work, so I could see that happening, being able to control Media Center. Being able to view your desktop or see what Media Center is showing I’m uncertain of, it would definitely be neat though. Even if it did work for games assuming you could control the game via IR remote, it would be massive lag, like 2-3 second delay between what you see on your end and what is actually happening on the PC. I don’t have a connector for my LocationFree to my desktop PC so I haven’t been able to test it, but if anyone already has a setup like this, feel free to share with us what is possible and what is not, great question Dave, thanks for dropping by.
SteveB,
I’m sorry to hear the LF-B20 is being such a pain, out of all the products you would think the LF-B20 would pair easiest with the PSP, I mean it is made by Sony after all… go figure. I would try connecting to the LF-B20 directly with the PSP, you can manage this by setting up the LF-B20 as an access point, this takes your wireless router out of the equation. There is a small switch at the bottom of the LF-B20 to switch it to AP mode. If you are able to connect and stream video on the PSP that could mean issues with the router, if it is still unable to stream it could mean Sony’s latest PSP or LF-B20 firmware has compatibility issues. I can’t think of any other test at the moment, give that a shot and let me know how things go, good luck!
Thanks. I will try that, and I’ll let you know.
Hi,
I am not clear about the limitation introduced by PAL/NTCS broadcast systems.
Is the LF-B20 working in a PAL country?
Thanks for the review. I just bought a Sony Location Free LF-V30 in the US and I took it to Argentina. The flow of the signal is the following: First of all, it gets into the satellite box, it gets out of the sattellite box to the location free and out of the location free to the TV. I think the connections are fine because the TV itself is working fine (and I have the location free in the middle). I was able to perfectly connect to my location free base station from my laptop (either from home or internet) but I get the audio but not image. The TV system in Argentina is PAL, and I am not sure how it works but my understanding is that in US is NTSC. Could it be that the reason?, is there any way to fix that? - As I bought this last week and I have someone travelling from Argentina going back to US next week, if it doesn’t work I can always return it. Do you know any other similar product that would work?, Thanks a lot for your help!!!!
Victor,
Yea I’d definitely return it, there’s no easy way to fix it. I believe you should pick up the European model of the LocationFree base station, they have PAL over there, which should work well with where you live in Argentina. Thanks for sharing with us your experience, I’m sure lots of other readers had the same question, take care!
Does anyone know if you can record what it is playing on the computer? Like a tv tuner card can?
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