Fix My Berry

Watching YouTube on BlackBerry handheld has been an issue of contention for BlackBerry users and for wireless service providers. Quite simply; it does not stream well and playing the videos are hit and miss.

Introducing Vision – an app specifically designed streaming YouTube videos on BlackBerry. Designed by Metova, Vision is a free application and there is no purchase or registration necessary. You can download Vision to your device by visiting http://vision.metova.com/download from your BlackBerry browser.

Shortcuts

• Shortcuts can be used through the keyboard for switching between pages and reloading a standard feed. The available shortcuts are:

Video list and details

• N = next page
• P = previous page
• R = reload feed (not searches)
• (space) = watch a video
• (enter) = view video details
• Media player
• F = enable/disable fullscreen
• (space) pause/play video

Requirements

• Current device restrictions: Vision is restricted to devices running a 4.3.0 or newer operating system. While Vision may install and run correctly, the device must support RTSP video streaming in order to play the YouTube media.

FAQ

Where is the search function?

• The search function slides into view from the top when you scroll up on the main navigation screen.

Can I stream videos over the BIS network?

• Short answer is no. The BIS network is limited in bandwidth, and streaming content like videos through it would affect the BlackBerry experience for other users. Instead Vision will first try to stream over WiFi if it is available, otherwise it will use WAP/TCP. The correct WAP service books or carrier APN settings will be required.

Why did the application ask to use the native media player?

• If Vision encounters an error during video playback that it cannot recover from, it will provide the option of viewing the video in the native media player instead. This may happen if there is a server error or a problem streaming the specified format type.
• If the application crashes or displays the error a lot during video playback, the first thing to do is reduce the video format through the preferences. Some older versions of a given operating system may contain defects that will affect some video formats over others. An example of this is the 9000 (Bold) 4.6.0.167 operating system where the more stable format is the lowest.
• The lower quality format available is “H.263 Video and AMR Audio.”
• The preferred solution would be to upgrade your operating system to the newest publicly available version.

Why did the application crash during video playback?

• If you are running an older version of your operating system, there may be defects that will affect some video formats over others. These defects can cause the application to crash unexpectedly. While Vision cannot prevent these unexpected crashes, it will try to predict a crash and display the option of viewing through the native media player (as of version 1.0.24).

Can I switch screen orientations on the Storm?

• Currently there are some layout issues when switching orientations on the Storm, so for now the screen will lock into whichever one is in use when the application starts up. Exiting and restarting the application will allow you to switch orientations. This will be fixed eventually, however it is not a high priority right now.

FAQ dated 05/26/2009