alcatel OT-S853

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S
SaveR
mCu
16 Apr 2007

Nelson, KnightRider:
what program you are using to convert videos? And with what tunes?
I use ImTOO 3gp converter and the tunes are: Video : mpeg4, 176x144 pixels, bit rate 128, frame rate 15. Audio: audio codec: mpeg4aac,Bit rate 128,sample rate 48000, chanels 1 mono

And something interesting i found. I converted today a video with LOW quality:
Video: h263 codec, 176x144 pixels, bit rate: 40, frame rate: auto
Audio: amr_nb codec,bit rate: 40,sample rate:8000,channels: 1(mono)

And the phone did it. It played all the 9 minutes video!!!

Conclusion:
The phones plays all the video in LOW quality tunes. The problem is when are used High quality tunes the video stills after the 5th minutes,but the audio continues.

Please Nelson, KnightRider test your phones with these two settings(low and high quality) and tell me what is doing your phones!Of course if you have time:)

And once again: What converter do you use and with what settings?

This night I will start to make a lot of videos with increasing the video quality, to know what is the maximum quality that the phone plays ALL the video! A good nigh for me...:)

N
Nelson
M66
15 Apr 2007

SaveR:

This phone has "Unlimited Video Recording/Playback" function so your phone must play more than 5 minutes video. Knight Rider have confirmed it and I would like to inform you that I have not answered you as quickly as I used to because few minutes ago I tried downloading a video which is more than five minutes in size and my S853 played it well. I have downloaded the "Tom and Jerry - The Midnight Snack" - a 5.1 minutes video. I also have downloaded "os simpsons no brasil" - a 15.3 minutes video and my phone played it well.

Just have your phone checked by somebody from alcatel service center. There may be some problem with it other than the firmware version or have it RELOADED with the latest firmware version again.

K
Knight Rider
mAJ
15 Apr 2007

First things first... Cellatel should be able to update the S853, but to be sure just ask them... or mail them! Now... MY particular S853 can play video for longer the 5 minutes no problem! Nelson, excellent catch you made in finding the T608, Alcatel still did not officially anounce it but that is just a matter of time. I will keep you all posted if any info comes available, and when Alcatel provides it to me.

For more info I am continously available at un112@msn.com!

N
Nelson
M66
15 Apr 2007

Maniatiko,

Sorry but I don't understand you well. When you say that your phone wont read beyond 200 files it's impossible for me because currently I have stored 50 photos, 5 videos, 40 games and applications and 200 mp3s and my phone still read them. This is a sound machine so this can play all songs from the phone's memory and/or from the memory card. I've tried loading my memory card with more than 200 mp3s and the phone plays them without problem.

Also I don't understand well when you said "still i wish to find an mp3 player for this cellphone, still i can play the music via Memory Card, not the mp3 player, it will reproduce the song, but in the mp3 player wont show it."

This phone has built in mp3 player but the phone memory is only more than 8 MB and therefore can store only 1 or 2 mp3s. It's built mp3 player can play songs from there (phone's memory) and can play songs stored in your memory card at the same time.

T
TTThunder
jRW
15 Apr 2007

Thanks a lot, Nelson!

I believe I have an old firmware now, since once in a while, the phone will be frozen...

Once I have a "white screen with a red X mask in the middle"...

Will try to upgrade firmware as you advised...

Thanks again!

S
SaveR
nHd
15 Apr 2007

Hello Alcatel fans :))) WOW about the ot-t608 :) we will pray to be a real fone:)
And to Nelson and KnightRider: somebody tested the playback video how long could be?
I tested this. S853 cant play more than 5 minutes of video clip mp4 or 3gp. I am from Bulgaria and have the very latest firmware - the 18v. So pls test yours S853 to know is it problem only for my S853 :)Yes i know taht could record up to 10 minutes. and then to play it. But when i put a video in the memory card about 6 minutes, after the 5th minute the pictures stills and the sound continues. I use ImTOO 3gop converter and the tunes are: Video : mpeg4, 176x144 pixels, bit rate 128, frame rate 15. Audio: audio codec: mpeg4aac,Bit rate 128,sample rate 48000, chanels 1 mono (i dont use 2 stereo,because the phone video goes very slow:()

And that's it :) PLS tell me does your S853 can play video clip more than 5 minutes. :) PLS count the minutes and the seconds ;)

Thank you

M
Maniatiko
LxH
15 Apr 2007

NELSON:

I have 18b firmware

and it WONT read beyond 200 files
IDK why!

still i wish to find an mp3 player for this cellphone, still i can play the music via Memory Card, not the mp3 player, it will reproduce the song, but in the mp3 player wont show it :/

N
Nelson
M66
14 Apr 2007

Alcatel is now planning a new phone with 4 stereo sound speakers, 2.8” 240X320 pixels 262144 colours Touch Screen TFT LCD display screen, full bluetooth connectivity, TV out function, 2 megapixel camera, and handwriting recognition function. For more information, just visit http://www.wapzon.com/web/prodetail.asp?Pid=11262.

N
Nelson
M66
14 Apr 2007

Sebirumbi y:

Honestly, I don't have any idea about their units. What I know is they have been selling this model since this is launched in the market so it is very possible that they have sold online the units firmwared with 164, 169 and 177. But maybe, just maybe and I hope so, now they have their units upgraded.

Before you buy there online, I suggest you try to canvass protel.de. Knight Rider can help you and may have idea about their units firmware version.

N
Nelson
M66
14 Apr 2007

TTThunder:

Since Cellatel is an exclusive distributor of alcatel phones in North America and Canada and is also an exclusive service center there I believe they can upgrade the firmware. Just try to get in touch with them before you actually visit them. Call them at 949-260-4909 local 3094.

N
Nelson
M66
14 Apr 2007

iwontworry:

The ACTUAL UPGRADING OF FIRMWARE takes only one hour or two hours. It's just like installing windows OS in your PC. But since the company you said still needs to download the software from France and that they have slow internet connection (I don't understand why) it will really take longer time to upgrade your phone.

If you take your phone to versatile where the firmware is already available there (there's no need for them to download it from France) it will not really take longer time because they already have the things they need in upgrading your phone's firmware.

S
Sebirumbi y
j2C
14 Apr 2007

Can any one assist me, do u think @ wapzon.com they sell ots853 with verson 188 &18B Now?

T
TTThunder
kQ0
14 Apr 2007

Knight Rider and Nelson,
.
I am in US now...
.
I have looked at cellatel website and I notice that they do not sell S853...
.
So will they be able to upgrade 853 firmware?!?
.
Thanks!

i
iwontworry
ijA
13 Apr 2007

hi nelson and knight...

im from the philippines, and i requested for a firmware upgrade in manila where alcatel phone is based in. they informed me that they have slow internet connection so it will take time for them to upgrade my unit. they informed me that they download the upgrade from france so it will take a long time.

is that true? i thought upgrading the firmware is just for a while.

the company i am talking about is from manila roxas boulevard. i am from baguio 200km away from manila. i had my phone couriered there for a repair so i asked a firmware upgrade at the same time.

thanx for reply.

N
Nelson
M66
13 Apr 2007

Maniatiko:

There is no need for you to install mp3 player in this phone (although there is mp3 player java application that can be installed) because there is already built in mp3 player here.

You said: "cuz the actual one can only read 200 songs (at any format)".

I beg to disagree with you.

My 1 gb mini sd current status is: I've loaded it with 50 mp3 & m4a music ( I don't spend so much time listening to music in my phone. I spent more time with my phone in playing games.), 55 photos, 10 videos, 45 games and application but when I read you comments here I've deleted them all and reloaded it with 220 mp3s and m4as, 20 games and apps, 20 photos and six videos (my card has 5 percent extra memory already). I reinsert it in my phone and when the memory icon appear ("OK" sign not yet appearing)I choose the music player. I played the first song and the phone play it and displays 1/220 (1 of 220 songs). I stop that song and played the 220th and it plays without problem. The phone displays 220/220. I stop it and played the 65th song and the phone played it without problem again. The games and videos run and played normally. Photos area available as usual.

Try to check your phone's firmware version and have it reloaded with 18b firmware if it is firmwared with 177, 169 or 164.

Even if you load all mp3s to your 1 gb, your phone will play because this is a sound machine. So, again, you don't have to install mp3 player in this phone but you can install if you want. There is a java application called mp3 player.jar but why should you install it.

M
Maniatiko
LxH
13 Apr 2007

is there any mp3 player that can be put in the cellphone

cuz the actual one can only read 200 songs (at any format)

is there any way to avoid this?

actually, the cellphone will ONLY display 200 files, (mp3's photos, vids, etc) only 200 files in the memory card, reads them alphabetically and just displays the 200 first

i have 270 songs :/

N
Nelson
M66
12 Apr 2007

To all people in the Philippines (Philippine citizen or not) who are planning to buy this phone please remember these important things:

1. RC Goldline in Cebu (don't have idea if they have branch in other areas) are selling 18b firmwared S853. The package goes with free 256 MB mini sd card plus all accessories provided by alcatel with one year warranty. Price is still Php7,990 or USD 166.

2. JUNREX is selling items loaded with firmware 177 with the same price as RC Goldline. The package goes only with all accessories provided by alcatel with one year warranty. You must buy your own memory card if you want to use memory extension.

3. OT S853 in other stores that goes with 128 mb mini sd card are firmwared with 164, 169 or 177.

I don't have idea yet about the other cell shop but just be sure to ask the salesclerk about the firmware version (it is written on the back side of the phone above the IMEI number when you take out the battery). Remember that you will really encounter some problems if your unit is below 188 or 18b firmwared. All alcatel phones in Philippine market is preloaded with SMART GPRS/MMS settings, GLOBE GPRS/MMS settings and SUN MMS settings. But for OT S853 model only the 188 or 18b version are preloaded. So if you are smart user, you don't have to go to smart wireless center to have your gprs/mms activated. Just send MMS ON and GPRS ON to 333 and you will received reply from 333 then after 24 hours from that your gprs/mms is already active. And I want to recommend that you use opera mini for much faster internet browsing with your phone. Don't have idea for globe and sun yet because I am smart user.

K
Knight Rider
mAJ
11 Apr 2007

To add what Nelson said... be very careful when removing a card while it is still being read! This is actually something I would NEVER recommend as then there is a high risk that the data on the card might get erased, remember the old floppy drives... thats the same thing... remove the floppy while it was being read and the data could get damaged! So be careful!

Also, the videos you upload to the phone should be optimalized for the the phone, meaning either in 3gp format or mpeg4 and in a resolution that is easy to process, preferably the screen resolution of the phone! Just some small tips for you all ;)!!

N
Nelson
M66
11 Apr 2007

quang hung, because this phone is called a sound machine, when you turn on the phone the very first thing that the phone gives you are the mp3 songs, they are already available for you to listen even if the memory card icon does not display "OK" yet. You can already play your favorite mp3s but you cannot use other items such as games, videos, etc. from memory card until the memory card icon displays "OK".

One thing that all users must remember is we should refrain from inserting and reinserting the memory card QUICKLY as in doing this you might not be able to position your memory card well when inserting) and might destroy the spring in the memory card slot. If this happen, the card slot will no longer hold the card but the phone will still perfectly read the mini sd but you have to have your finger push or hold the card as it will eject if you take out your finger. So, if in case your phone don't read the 1 GB card, just turn off the phone for 5 seconds without taking the 1 GB mini sd then turn it on again and it should read the card now. However, if the phone still don't read it, just reset the phone without taking your memory card. Reset by typing ###847# but back up the data stored in your phone first and when the phone finished resetting it will perfectly read the 1 GB card. This is the safest way. Don't insert and reinsert card QUICKLY. Insert it with maximum care or you will have to take your phone to the shop for 1 month.

As written on the manual, this phone is originally made to support up to 512 MB mini sd card but alcatel tweak it to support up to 1 GB. This is the reason why the phone don't display the correct figure if you use 1GB card but let me make it clear that it is only the capacity of the 1 GB mini sd that is not displayed properly. The phone still displays the correct memory space of the 1 gb being used and the correct space available and OT S853 still perfectly read the 1 GB card.

OT S853 is actually not bad in playing videos. It is just a matter of how you use it. Remember that no phone brand had ever recommend people to store many video clips in their phone whether in memory card or phone's memory. This is the reason why any phone sold in the market is PRELOADED ONLY WTIH 1, 2 or 3 video clips, 1, 2 or 3 games and applications. It is normal for any phone to have slow performance if you load it with video clips more than 5. In my case I've tried loading my phone with 150 games, 140 mp3s, 30 m4as, 75 mp4s and 3gps and the phone really perform slowly. This is normal. If you want your OT S853 to perform normally (not slowly)just store 3 to 6 video clips and 3 to 10 games and applications, and 20 to 50 photos. Remember this, even one of the most expensive phone of nokia received lots of complaints from its user and one of the complains are "slow performance". For me, the slow performance here resulted to many video clips stored by the user either in phone's memory or memory card.

K
Knight Rider
mAJ
10 Apr 2007

TTThunder: Yes you can update your phone in the US as Alcatel is being sold and serviced there since this year... visit http://www.cellatel.com/ They are Alcatels official dealer and servicer in the US!!! Also let us know if you find out the key stroke to check the firmware please, thank you!

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