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Fanvision Handheld Enhances NFL Fans' Live Game Experience

by Caleb Johnson on September 23, 2010 at 06:30 AM

Fanvision
If you've ever sat in nosebleed seats at an NFL game, you'll agree that the view from your living room -- which probably includes HDTV and cheap snacks -- is much better. But Fanvision, a new handheld device offered at 12 NFL stadiums and one college, could enhance live football games by using the same technology that keeps some folks at home. The handheld, which only works inside the stadium, allows fans to view instant replays from multiple angles, watch out-of-town games, browse live stats, view red-zone plays from around the league, receive fantasy football updates, watch on-demand video from their team, check out cheerleaders via a special camera, and watch highlight reels plus the network broadcast of the game they're attending.

Stephen Ross, who owns the Miami Dolphins and Kangaroo TV, created Fanvision, even paying to wire the stadiums for the technology. With the product essentially in beta testing, Ross provided about 5,000 devices to each team that signed up. The New York Jets gave their allotment to club seat holders, and other teams are expected to sell the handhelds at stores or kiosks for about $200 each.

But it's the cost of attending a game, not a poor stadium experience, that keeps most fans at home. A family of four could purchase a brand new HDTV and subscribe to DIRECTV for the price of four decent NFL tickets. For those who can afford it, Fanvision might make attending an NFL game better, and more immersive, than ever. Unfortunately, the average fan can't afford it -- but the couch is more comfortable than those cheap seats anyway, right?

Tags: entertainment, football, handheld, NFL, sports, top, tv, video

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