FanVision – A Spectacular Invention
Written By: TD |
OK, I’m sold.
Last Friday, I received a package from the Cleveland Browns. I opened it up and found heaven in a box. The FanVision handheld device, free for the 2010 season. So what exactly is it?
FanVision was created and developed by Dolphins owner and Michigan graduate Stephen Ross. Its a 4.3″ LCD screen that is designed to enhance the in-stadium, in-game experience for NFL fans. The Browns are one of 12 NFL teams involved in this pilot program in 2010 (Michigan is the only college stadium to have it). The plan is to have FanVision in all NFL stadiums next year. This year’s introductory price is $199, though it’s listed at $259. There is also a $5 per game subscription fee involved.
So what does this FanVision handheld device get you:
Now you have the lowdown on what it does. Let me give you a review of the product, straight from a test user (me). A disclaimer first – I am a Fantasy Football lover. So for me, this device is perfection.
To the right of the screen, there are arrows to help toggle through, along with a “video” button and a “stats” button. Before the game, I clicked the stats button and was easily able to plug in my fantasy team. During the game, if I wanted to check on my team, I just clicked the “stats” button again and I had the option to view the stats of the game I was attending (both team and player), all other on-going NFL games, my fantasy team, or the leaderboard on the day for all NFL players.
In order words, this is a fantasy players dream device.
Now to the video/audio portion. If you click on the “video” button, a menu of options pop up for “Live” or “Replay.” The live menu lists the game you are attending’s Fox or CBS broadcast, the NFL Red Zone channel (which is incredible), plus the other in-division games for your home team. You can also watch the Browns scoreboard feed if you want, or the 50 yard line cam, or the 25 yard line cam, depending on the side of the field the ball is on.
The replay menu gives you multiple angles to see the last play, which pop up two seconds after the play ends. FanVision also gives you their suggestion of what the “best” replay option is, and they denote that in blue. When your game is in “The Red Zone,” red lights pop up around your arrows.
You can also listen to the local radio broadcast if you’d like, using your headphone jack.
Worried about the battery power? Don’t be. I had mine on the entire game and at halftime (you can watch the NFL Network, CBS, or Fox’s halftime show if you’d like as well), and still half the battery power left.
I’m telling you, this is an incredible device. I absolutely loved it. If I wasn’t watching a replay of Peyton Hillis’s spectacular TD grab from one of three angles, then I was checking my fantasy teams stats, which update instantly. While they do show a lot of replays on the big screen at Browns Stadium, they don’t show them all. Wanna see a innocuous special teams tackle by the great Blake Costanzo? No problem, FanVision’s got you covered.
The Browns are rolling out complimentary devices out to selected Season Ticket Holders week to week. All Club Seat and Suite owners got them earlier this season. Ours arrived last week, the same for friends of mine who have regular season seats. In a letter attached to with the devices, the Browns denoted that “all FanVision devices remain property of the Cleveland Browns,” so I will have to determine whether or not I want to go forward with it next year or send it back.
It may be a generational thing. My uncle, a 70 year old, Old School Browns fan thinks it is cool for replays, but doesn’t have a use for it. Me on the other hand? It took me one game to think I can’t go to the game without one.
To learn more, go to FanVision.com
Written By: TD |
OK, I’m sold.Last Friday, I received a package from the Cleveland Browns. I opened it up and found heaven in a box. The FanVision handheld device, free for the 2010 season. So what exactly is it?
FanVision was created and developed by Dolphins owner and Michigan graduate Stephen Ross. Its a 4.3″ LCD screen that is designed to enhance the in-stadium, in-game experience for NFL fans. The Browns are one of 12 NFL teams involved in this pilot program in 2010 (Michigan is the only college stadium to have it). The plan is to have FanVision in all NFL stadiums next year. This year’s introductory price is $199, though it’s listed at $259. There is also a $5 per game subscription fee involved.
So what does this FanVision handheld device get you:
- Fan controlled instant replays
- Live audio and video of other games including NFL Red Zone Channel
- Local audio programming
- Enter your fantasy team and track the stats
- Personalized content on 10 channels
- Live camera feeds from multiple angles
- Pregame and postgame analysis
- Spilt screen to watch the game and other scores
- Live stats for the games
- Access to exclusive local team content
Now you have the lowdown on what it does. Let me give you a review of the product, straight from a test user (me). A disclaimer first – I am a Fantasy Football lover. So for me, this device is perfection.
To the right of the screen, there are arrows to help toggle through, along with a “video” button and a “stats” button. Before the game, I clicked the stats button and was easily able to plug in my fantasy team. During the game, if I wanted to check on my team, I just clicked the “stats” button again and I had the option to view the stats of the game I was attending (both team and player), all other on-going NFL games, my fantasy team, or the leaderboard on the day for all NFL players.
In order words, this is a fantasy players dream device.
Now to the video/audio portion. If you click on the “video” button, a menu of options pop up for “Live” or “Replay.” The live menu lists the game you are attending’s Fox or CBS broadcast, the NFL Red Zone channel (which is incredible), plus the other in-division games for your home team. You can also watch the Browns scoreboard feed if you want, or the 50 yard line cam, or the 25 yard line cam, depending on the side of the field the ball is on.
The replay menu gives you multiple angles to see the last play, which pop up two seconds after the play ends. FanVision also gives you their suggestion of what the “best” replay option is, and they denote that in blue. When your game is in “The Red Zone,” red lights pop up around your arrows.
You can also listen to the local radio broadcast if you’d like, using your headphone jack.
Worried about the battery power? Don’t be. I had mine on the entire game and at halftime (you can watch the NFL Network, CBS, or Fox’s halftime show if you’d like as well), and still half the battery power left.
I’m telling you, this is an incredible device. I absolutely loved it. If I wasn’t watching a replay of Peyton Hillis’s spectacular TD grab from one of three angles, then I was checking my fantasy teams stats, which update instantly. While they do show a lot of replays on the big screen at Browns Stadium, they don’t show them all. Wanna see a innocuous special teams tackle by the great Blake Costanzo? No problem, FanVision’s got you covered.
The Browns are rolling out complimentary devices out to selected Season Ticket Holders week to week. All Club Seat and Suite owners got them earlier this season. Ours arrived last week, the same for friends of mine who have regular season seats. In a letter attached to with the devices, the Browns denoted that “all FanVision devices remain property of the Cleveland Browns,” so I will have to determine whether or not I want to go forward with it next year or send it back.
It may be a generational thing. My uncle, a 70 year old, Old School Browns fan thinks it is cool for replays, but doesn’t have a use for it. Me on the other hand? It took me one game to think I can’t go to the game without one.
To learn more, go to FanVision.com
