Youth opt for ‘Mobile’ cinema

Until now youngsters used their mobile phones mainly to communicate and for music. But with power packed features being introduced every other week, the cell phone has turned into a one-stop entertainment junction for most. For instance, the extended hours of travelling are now being used to catch up on films — both contemporary and classic. The movies that are compressed to a fraction of their original file sizes to fit the mobile phone format are a hit with these early risers who love to start their journeys with a bang every day.
Even mobile phones stores prepackage movies on the cellphones for discerning first time buyers. Says Manigandan, business development manager at UniverCell, “These days youngsters are constantly on the lookout for new and unique modes of entertainment. And the new age cellphones come loaded with powerful processing capabilities that allows smooth playback of digital video. Even basic models like the Nokia 3110c can play videos.”
And these pint-sized packages are a hit with youngsters. Karthik K., a final year VisComm student says, “I travel nearly one-and-a-half hours to reach college everyday. So I download new movies and comedy clips onto my phone and watch them instead. With a 2 GB memory card, I can store three to four films.”
S. Gokulnath, an IT professional and a fan of pocket movies says, “Freely available software like Pocket DivX Encoder allows you to encode videos in a convenient resolution and file size. It’s a great option for those who don’t find time to go to theatres. ”
But there are those who oppose such trivialisation of cinema. Rajesh K., a law student, says, “I can’t imagine watching a movie on such a tiny screen. And the act of downloading an unauthorised movie onto your phone is illegal.”