Thread: MotoGP webcast subscriptions - Questions, questions...

Originally Posted by jose_jimenez

Anymore questions? Damn!

You can answer most of your own questions by going to motogp.com.

Speed doesn't show interviews, qualifying, or pre-race info. You can't watch the race live on Speed either.
They have raised the prices this year and it ain't cheap.

Yeah, but this is meant to be somewhat informational to people other than myself, so lets get the facts and the opinions of the people who have used it out there, please..

I was never clear about watching it later or repeatedly..

Are you going to do it again despite the increase in cost?

Originally Posted by jose_jimenez

Anymore questions? Damn!

You can answer most of your own questions by going to motogp.com.

Of course he can, but he's looking to save some time and get an objective review.

Going to motogp.com means you have to sift through not only their crappy website, but also their marketing bs.

CBRVFR, I've had trouble w/ that website in the past, and I know last year they had bandwidth probs. I probably won't be signing up this year, mostly b/c I''m a cheap bastard and there's more than I can consume that is free out on the interwebs.

Also, I just don't have time to be watching qualifying live, and whatnot.

HD

here's their FAQ page.

MotoGP 2006


I'll save you the time of clicking it, it's blank..

My answers below:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

...So, if you would please indulge me, I have a bunch of questions:

• What does it cost, and what do you get? Last year, as I recall, it was about $50 for the season
• If you're not available to see a live broadcast, can you watch it when you want to? Yes, but it may be slightly edited
• Can you re-watch the races or any of the features? Yes
• What aspects of the broadcast are better than what I am getting? Commercial-free, lots of coverage and interviews on the grid prior to the race, as well as podium celebrations, post-race interviews in their entirety
• What (besides the size of the screen) is a compromise? I had two or three occasions last year where their server crashed during the race, causing me much frustration. I can connect my notebook to our HD TV, and the image quality remains decent
• If I manage to get the image on my TV, will it look as good as a broadcast, which, admittedly, aren't that great? Not quite as good, but from a reasonable distance on our 50" plasma, it still looks pretty good
• Same commentators, different, or none? Same
• Is it worth it? I think so, definitely. I like seeing the races live (when reasonable), especially during a critical chase down the stretch like we had last year. I just hope they don't have the bandwidth problems they did last year.

Thanks!

There were major issues with connecting and/or staying connected at almost every round last year. With them increasing the prices, they better be increasing their server farm and bandwidth.
Even with the extra insight, coverage, etc. I didn't think it was worth half what it cost last year. Coming from an IT perspective there was no excuse for them having the same problems week in and week out all season long.
I won't be subscribing right away. If after a few weeks it appears they have worked their elementary school IT issues out, I may.

The "reception" after Germany was inconsistent for me. I was really angry when the last race dropped-out and I missed it.

The site seems very inconsistent so far this year, so I probably won't renew. Besides, I can use that money on a track-day.