To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

On the surface, it seems to defeat the purpose to bring Fan Vision, a mobile TV-type device, to a football game being played right in front of you. Yet developers of Fan Vision insist their gadget will supplement the live experience with all the information and content users you're used to getting while watching at home.

“It enhances the fan's experience. When fans goes to a football game, they can't see the replays, they can't see other games, they can't get all their stats,” says Michael Weisman of Fan Vision. “So with Fan Vision, the goal is for the fan to watch the game, enjoy the game in the stands, but then during the dead time be able to get a replay, get the stats and it really makes going to the game much better.”

The device offers live action of up to three games aside from the one users are at, as well as the NFL RedZone – in-depth stats from the live game and any game around the National Football League.

Users can even plug in a fantasy roster and get real-time updates on how they are doing.
Instant replays are also made available for every play, from as many as 10 different angles.

For fans who gave the device a shot experienced a learning curve integrating all the extra information into the whole game-day experience.

“I think it enhances it a little bit, but it can be distracting,” says one test user. “Like this is a play right now that I could be watching, but I tend to look at [my device] more.”

“It was helping on the play with the challenge before, when we didn't know if it was complete or incomplete. So we went back on our device here, looked it up and found that it was an incomplete pass, so we were glad we had it,” says another user.

The Fan Vision unit is available for $200. For now, aside from inputting a fantasy roster, the device is essentially useless from home but it can still be used at any event or venue where the Fan Vision service is being used.

“Right now, 12 NFL clubs are using Fan Vision, and very soon we expect all 32 clubs to be using it. And pretty soon, you'll be able to use it at baseball games, basketball, hockey, anywhere,” says Weisman.

The device uses radio frequencies broadcast at the venues, instead of wireless data signals like mobile phones, which is why Fan Vision only works inside stadiums and around their parking lots. Developers say that's also why, unlike with a mobile phone, the experience doesn't degrade as more people decide to use it.