When we heard that the 2009 edition of the Sidekick LX would be rockin’ an oh-so-droolworthy 854×480 screen, we crossed our fingers in hopes that it could playback video at a resolution worthy of the display. Not content with waiting for tomorrow’s Sidekick shindig, we did a bit of digging – and uncovered pretty much everything there is to know about video on the 2009 Sidekick LX.
The original Sidekick LX got video playback support back in July of last year by way of over-the-air update. While it was a nice bonus, it wasn’t ideal. Limited to h.263 encoded 3GPP videos, it was neither high-quality nor convenient.
According to details shared with us this morning, it looks like they’ve amped things up a bit. Here’s what we’ve confirmed so far:
- 3GPP: Yes
- h.263: Yes
- h.264: Yes
- Streaming (Presumably 3GP): Yes
- MPEG-4: Yes
- Maximum resolution: It can playback videos up to the full resolution of the screen, 854×480. There aren’t too many 854×480 videos lurking around, so as a more common metric: it can playback video at 720×480, the same resolution used by nearly all North American DVDs.
We only went digging for playback information, but turned up some details on video recording as well. Here’s what we’ve heard on the matter:
- Codec: MP4 in high quality mode, h.263 in low quality mode
- Recording resolution: 320×240 or 176×144, depending on settings
- Recording length (1GB microSD card, high quality): 15 hours, 34 minutes
- Recording length (1GB microSD card, low quality): 16 hours, 56 minutes
These are all theoretical limitations, of course. We haven’t personally seen video playing back at these resolutions, so we can’t vouch for their smoothness. We’re working on getting photo/video recording samples, but that might have to wait until tomorrow’s festivities.
Great product, very beautiful at Tradestead , there are many kinds of such beautiful and powerful consumer electronics , you can easily find out what you need!
What is really the resolution for the Sidekick 2009? 852 x 480, 858 x 480 or 854 x 480?
Sorry about that. It’s 854×480.
Thanks Peter! Getting kind of mixed up with the misinformations going around.
Too much competition among hundreds seeking to compete with the iPhone via the chicklet keyboards. With touch interfaces, Apple has cornered the market.
Even with a chicklet keyboard, the data shows that few actually use the data web when compared with the touch interface. Nothing has changed on this front with this new Sidekick.
Deadpool.
Really? Deadpool? This is Sidekick number 8. Someone’s buying them.
Are you serious, dude?
I really don’t get the argument in this. It is so much better to just to buy a Sidekick and an iPod Touch than it is to buy an iPhone alone. iPod Touch is everything an iPhone is but without the camera and phone parts. iPhone will end up costing more than the Sidekick/iPod Touch combo too since the monthly service on an iPhone is a lot more than the one on a Sidekick.
I believe you can get a Sidekick with service and an iPod Touch with MobileMe cheaper over 2 years than an iPhone with just service alone.
Plus most who buy a Sidekick buy it for instant messaging and texting which the iPhone sucks at.
I have owned a Sidekick 2 and just recently purchased the new Sidekick LX 2009 after owning(and loving) the Sidekick 3 since its release date back in the summer of 2006…..Matt….i couldnt agree with what you said more…..today is my last day on trial with the new LX 09′ and I’ll admit that the iPhone has been fighting for my conversation from the Sidekick dynasty….and your post may very well have clinched my decision to stay with the Sidekick….thank you, sir.
typo above…..i meant my “conversion
(you could say “conversation too….since ive had many of them with Apple iPhone reps)
Alas, the LX _does not_ support H.264. I’ve been unable to track down the original source of the erroneous information, it might actually be this posting!