BBC iPlayer Now Available for Mac

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/19/bbc-iplayer-now-available-for-mac/)

BBC announced (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7787335.stm) that a version of the iPlayer that works on the Mac and Linux computers is now available. The iPlayer is the BBC's online media player that lets viewers stream programmes for up to seven days after broadcast or download and watch them for up to 30 days.While streaming had been available to Mac users, downloading had not. When the iPlayer first launched it was criticized for only being compatible with Windows XP. The new version of the iPlayer was written with Adobe's AIR platform.

The product is currently in public beta with a final release expected in February 2009.


Article Link: BBC iPlayer Now Available for Mac (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/12/19/bbc-iplayer-now-available-for-mac/)


See also MacBytes BBC iPlayer Desktop thread by neiltc13.

[bobbleheadbob]

Is this only in the UK or does it work in for US users as well?

[drlunanerd]

Great. But the download video quality is worse than the streaming quality :(

[James Craner]

Iplayer can only be used if your computer is in the UK.

[The Grood]

Any one know if this means the download service will work on the iPhone too?

If so, sweeet.

[drlunanerd]

Any one know if this means the download service will work on the iPhone too?

If so, sweeet.

No it won't. It uses Adobe AIR.

[James Craner]

Great. But the download video quality is worse than the streaming quality :(

yeah I agree I was disappointed when I tried it last night. As it is in Beta then perhaps the quality will improve. Its OK in the standard window, but significant artefacts if you view in full screen.

[jnc]

Good, because the streamer never worked.

[Luke Redpath]

I downloaded this last night and had a play and I'm afraid it gets a big thumbs down from me. I appreciate that they've put effort into getting this on Mac/Linux but to be honest I prefer the web version of iPlayer, which IMO is very good.

The new app sits in the background and you still use the web interface to browse programmes, which will have a "download" link. Clicking this downloads starts the download in the AIR application.

The problem? The download itself appears to be the "normal" quality that you get on the web interface. The "high" quality on the web interface is better, as is the h.264 encoded version for the iPhone.

This means that the *only* advantage of the new AIR app is the ability to download, but since the iPhone version was released, this has been possible using a script by a former colleague of mine, Paul Battley:

http://po-ru.com/projects/iplayer-downloader/

The above script is a command-line utility that lets you download the iPhone version of the programme without any restrictions. Not only that, but the code is open-source and people have started turning this into a GUI for various platforms.

[drlunanerd]

http://po-ru.com/projects/iplayer-downloader/

The above script is a command-line utility that lets you download the iPhone version of the programme without any restrictions. Not only that, but the code is open-source and people have started turning this into a GUI for various platforms.

Thanks for the heads-up :)

[voodoofish]

this is good news, particularly as some broadcasters eg. channel 4 refuse to support Macs at all, however does anyone know where you actually download the adobe air based iplayer (not the hacked iphone one) from?? i'm signed up for iplayer labs anyway, but still no luck.

[talkingfuture]

Will have to try this out. Shame the quality isn't very good. Is the low quality offset by small file sizes?

[xUKHCx]

this is good news, particularly as some broadcasters eg. channel 4 refuse to support Macs at all, however does anyone know where you actually download the adobe air based iplayer (not the hacked iphone one) from?? i'm signed up for iplayer labs anyway, but still no luck.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/install/bbc_iplayer_desktop

Will have to try this out. Shame the quality isn't very good. Is the low quality offset by small file sizes?

136 MB for 30 min program I downloaded.

[The Phazer]

This means that the *only* advantage of the new AIR app is the ability to download, but since the iPhone version was released, this has been possible using a script by a former colleague of mine, Paul Battley:

http://po-ru.com/projects/iplayer-downloader/

The above script is a command-line utility that lets you download the iPhone version of the programme without any restrictions. Not only that, but the code is open-source and people have started turning this into a GUI for various platforms.

Of course, there is the minor matter that this is illegal, and indeed arguably a criminal offense under the Computer Misuse Act...

Phazer

[hob]

I have it downloaded, (mind you I had to google for the player...) but for the life of me I can't work out how you use it! It opens the website but there's no "download" links... :confused:

[jonv]

Not that easy to work out how to use this.
Good blog post here: http://james.cridland.net/blog/2008/12/18/how-to-get-bbc-iplayer-on-the-mac-working/

Shame Adobe Air has issues on Mac with multiple monitors.

[xUKHCx]

I have it downloaded, (mind you I had to google for the player...) but for the life of me I can't work out how you use it! It opens the website but there's no "download" links... :confused:

Only comes up on very few programs at this point in time. There will be a download button to the bottom left of the normal streaming video player.

[joseph2166]

This from the BBC internet blog: "Right now BBC iPlayer Desktop makes use of the same 800Kbps H.264 content that's used for our High Quality streaming option." - so apparently it SHOULD be the same quality as the HQ on the streaming site.

"We're working on improving that, to provide 1500Kbps H.264 content that should be close to television quality. So, starting around February, we expect to deliver substantially better quality for downloads (these 1500Kbps streams will also be offered for streaming, providing near TV quality in iPlayer)."

[Kilamite]

How many topics is this going to be covered in? :eek:

[farleysmaster]

Which programs does it work for? I can't see the program download link anywhere. It was also hard enough to find the actual desktop app download link. I'm guessing the mac-website is going to get updated soon?

[drlunanerd]

This from the BBC internet blog: "Right now BBC iPlayer Desktop makes use of the same 800Kbps H.264 content that's used for our High Quality streaming option." - so apparently it SHOULD be the same quality as the HQ on the streaming site.

Well, it ain't :(

"We're working on improving that, to provide 1500Kbps H.264 content that should be close to television quality. So, starting around February, we expect to deliver substantially better quality for downloads (these 1500Kbps streams will also be offered for streaming, providing near TV quality in iPlayer)."

Good news. Will get the ISPs sweating (or buying the BBC's caching boxes, kerching £££).

[farleysmaster]

Shouldn't they be using multicasting? It's the ISPs problem, really, not the BBCs.

[esXXI]

Terribly ugly and confusing interface that doesn't even try to follows HIG guidelines. Doesn't actually tell you how to download shows, just links to the index. Poorly done icon (the 16px state doesn't even have transparency so it ends up with a white background). It's even a hassle trying to FIND the download.

[caribousteaks]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

[steviem]

We don't get hulu, so does that mean hulu means nothing to the rest of the world aswell?

[The Phazer]

No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one!

The UK does, and we're not going to spend the literally billions of pounds of taxpayer's money it would cost to subsidise you.

US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD.

Simply wrong. Every US network geo-IP blocks out the rest of the world for a start.

Phazer

[cyberjunky]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

uhuh, you couldn't be more wrong. You yanks have tonnes of websites us brits visit that tell us for US citizens only, if not just e-stores and so fourth but video streaming sites too. Too many a time i have seen youtube like sites that work in agreement with tv programming corporations like fox to put 'The Simpsons' for free on their site, but wait im told because im in the UK i cant watch it due to licensing issues outside the us. So get off your high horse and get used to it, everyone else outside the US has to put up with the same BS from many a site from the USA. Deal with it.

[Umbongo]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

Plenty of video sites don't allow viewers outside the US or severely limit what can be viewed. This won't be resolved anytime soon because as soon as a company allows it's content to be freely viewed legally online then the distribution value of it goes down. It's also not just the BBC's decision, there is no way the watchdogs nor other channels would let the BBC distribute globally using the iPlayer in current markets.

Also most people in the UK with broadband probably pay a TV license so the audience is funding it.

[surfsofa]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

I'd just like to point out a couple of things here :

1) The BBC is funded by a license fee and not by advertising. BBC World is the only exception I know of to that model, but that's only broadcast outside the UK. Would you be prepared to pay a subscription to watch BBC programmes, because someone has to pay for them to be made.

2) The BBC isn't the only institution restricting foreign access. You may not be aware that we suffer the exact same thing when trying to access certain American video services - not available outside the States.

3) BBC Radio caters to a broad market - I don't know how you can describe it as stuffy. I'd also like to remind you that it is also free globally, and I'm one of the UK citizens subsidising that.

I'm sure the Beeb will be working on alternative financing models and will be open to all in time.

[weckart]

This means that the *only* advantage of the new AIR app is the ability to download, but since the iPhone version was released, this has been possible using a script by a former colleague of mine, Paul Battley:

http://po-ru.com/projects/iplayer-downloader/

The above script is a command-line utility that lets you download the iPhone version of the programme without any restrictions. Not only that, but the code is open-source and people have started turning this into a GUI for various platforms.

Indeed, why faff about with a command-line utility when the GUI for this is available? I wonder if the BBC will block these now, as they bypass the DRM time bombs leaving you the programs to enjoy in perpetuity.

This one is quite polished.

http://www.lawrencedudley.co.uk/iplayer-downloader-30-released/

[dallardice]

US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD.

Not legally! Just checked HBO.com and SHO.com and neither of them will show me full episodes.. and hulu.com does report "We're sorry, currently our video library can only be streamed within the United States".

[Luke Redpath]

Of course, there is the minor matter that this is illegal, and indeed arguably a criminal offense under the Computer Misuse Act...

Phazer

Illegal on what basis? Unencrypted movie files are made publically available over HTTP, and all this script does is bypass the weak security by obscurity and download them. Nothing is being hacked, no encryption is being broken.

Your claims are baseless. If this was illegal, then Paul would have no doubt been served a cease and desist by now. Except he hasn't. And he has been very public about the script's development. He even gave a presentation about it at a recent conference:

http://po-ru.com/presentations/iplayer-hacker/

[Luke Redpath]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

Why would the BBC make content paid for by UK license fee payers available internationally for free when they don't even have the rights to? (international distribution rights are owned by BBC Worldwide which is a commercial business). In fact, its these international sales they partly fund the BBC.

[Luke Redpath]

Indeed, why faff about with a command-line utility when the GUI for this is available? I wonder if the BBC will block these now, as they bypass the DRM time bombs leaving you the programs to enjoy in perpetuity.

This one is quite polished.

http://www.lawrencedudley.co.uk/iplayer-downloader-30-released/

Personally I find it easier to just use the CLI interface. It takes no "faffing" to type "iplayer-dl [PROGRAM ID]".

[compuguy1088]

The UK does, and we're not going to spend the literally billions of pounds of taxpayer's money it would cost to subsidise you.



Simply wrong. Every US network geo-IP blocks out the rest of the world for a start.

Phazer

Plenty of video sites don't allow viewers outside the US or severely limit what can be viewed. This won't be resolved anytime soon because as soon as a company allows it's content to be freely viewed legally online then the distribution value of it goes down. It's also not just the BBC's decision, there is no way the watchdogs nor other channels would let the BBC distribute globally using the iPlayer in current markets.

Also most people in the UK with broadband probably pay a TV license so the audience is funding it.

Since this is true, why can't the BBC create a subscription service for people in the US the view this content? That would solve this problem of funding.....

[Luke Redpath]

Since this is true, why can't the BBC create a subscription service for people in the US the view this content? That would solve this problem of funding.....

You can purchase BBC Worldwide content on iTunes I believe.

[neiltc13]

The content is exactly the same quality as the HQ streaming options - it's just the player in the AIR application does a terrible job of scaling it. If you view full screen, then the quality issues go away.

[farleysmaster]

You can purchase BBC Worldwide content on iTunes I believe.

I gather BBC Worldwide is a separate organisational wing to the BBC. It also licences content to channels such as BBC America and BBC Canada, which are not actually owned by the BBC.

If there is a contradiction here, it is that you don't need a licence to watch non-live iPlayer broadcasts in the UK, so why not allow them elsewhere?

But then you don't need a license to watch 'the Daily Show' in the US, but I can't watch it from here on the Comedy Central website...

[neiltc13]

You may not need a TVL to watch it, but the content is licensed to the BBC by the creators for distribution in the United Kingdom.

[jmbill]

Just downloaded the iPlayer myself.
Horrible cheap interface and the play back quality is abysmal. I've seen better quality on YouTube. From looking at activity monitor, it's a huge resource hog too. I think I'll be uninstalling this one soon.

[Hattig]

Great. But the download video quality is worse than the streaming quality :(

It's also horribly jerky on my old iBook, I suspect it is using H.264. The online content using standard flash is fine.

[OllyW]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

Get your facts right before your next rant. :p

[The Stig]

This pleases The Stig that he can now download and watch himself on his Mac...

The Stig

[twoodcc]

i'm not in the UK, but still glad to see this available for mac

[big duck]

if they've resolved DRM issues, does that mean 4od should be on the way soon too?

I'm happy with the online streaming to be honest, whereas 4od is PC only in browser, and has tons of free archive things.

[neiltc13]

I don't understand the "playback quality is awful" argument. Press the full screen button and all of your worries go away.

[babyj]

I think any criticism of the BBC's digital services is a bit harsh as (in the UK at least) they are way ahead of the competition. iPlayer is available via my cable TV provider (Virgin), only limited similar content from other broadcasters is available in the same way. Linux, Mac (& iPhone) and Wii users can watch iPlayer content online and now download it - no other broadcaster supports anything except Windows as far as I'm aware.

Coverage of major events is pretty amazing, with anything up to 5 channels broadcast via the web / interactive services - all of which is in addition to their 4 main channels. Which means minority sports at the Olympics and up 4 to matches covered at the same time at Wimbledon etc.

They actually get criticism from other broadcasters who aren't able to compete due to the size and resources of the BBC, though I think a lot of the problem is the incompetence of others. If they were to provide content for people outside the UK without charging them for it, they would get in trouble for that.

So why not praise them for what they are doing, rather than complain at what they're not?

[arkitect]

So why not praise them for what they are doing, rather than complain at what they're not?

Well said.
:)

[weckart]

I gather BBC Worldwide is a separate organisational wing to the BBC. It also licences content to channels such as BBC America and BBC Canada, which are not actually owned by the BBC.

If there is a contradiction here, it is that you don't need a licence to watch non-live iPlayer broadcasts in the UK, so why not allow them elsewhere?

But then you don't need a license to watch 'the Daily Show' in the US, but I can't watch it from here on the Comedy Central website...

BBC Worldwide will be bringing out iplayer for worldwide consumption

http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?id=1735

And for those outside the UK that cannot wait, just route iplayer through a UK proxy.

[Courtaj]

So why not praise them for what they are doing, rather than complain at what they're not?I agree: Congratulations on spending £45,000 on a party (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/16/bbc-defends-cost-of-merlin-launch-party) in the middle of layoffs and mortgage foreclosures, Auntie Beeb.

P.S. Your iPlayer sucks.

[OllyW]

I don't understand the "playback quality is awful" argument. Press the full screen button and all of your worries go away.

Yes, it seems to give a similar picture quality as the streaming iPlayer, which is OK but not brilliant.


iPlayer is available via my cable TV provider (Virgin),

This is by far the best way to watch iPlayer content, on your TV. The quality is identical to normal broadcasts over cable or Freeview.

[yojitani]

I'd pay a limited license fee to be able to watch the beeb over here. BBC America is rubbish. Thankfully there are places where current shows can be obtained...

[neiltc13]

The best device by far for living room entertainment is Sony's PlayStation 3. Not only does it have BBC iPlayer, but you get a Blu Ray Player, great gaming system and a full media playback device in one box. If you buy the £60 PlayTV accessory, you also get dual-tuner Sky+ style functionality for Freeview.

And next year, Sony are to begin selling TV shows and movies on the PlayStation Store. It's the total package.

[sananda]

The best device by far for living room entertainment is Sony's PlayStation 3. Not only does it have BBC iPlayer, but you get a Blu Ray Player, great gaming system and a full media playback device in one box. If you buy the £60 PlayTV accessory, you also get dual-tuner Sky+ style functionality for Freeview.

And next year, Sony are to begin selling TV shows and movies on the PlayStation Store. It's the total package.

shame it doesn't work with internet sharing.

[neiltc13]

shame it doesn't work with internet sharing.

What do you mean? Shared internet connections from a computer?

A router can be had for little over £30 and PS3 has built in WiFi. Problem solved!

[Griffter]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Does anyone here realise that iPlayer is not actually run by the BBC any more? They subcontract it to a private firm called red bee media (formally BBC technology, which was privatised) they are obliged to innovate in order to satisfy terms of their contact. And this product is still in public beta, and will most certainly improve with time, just give it a chance.

And btw, I echo all comments from uk users to anyone overseas who want to use the service. Yes.. Subscriptions would be a great idea, but are hulu doing the same? My flatmates and I watch almost as much us tv as uk and this service would be great!

[PURCELL429]

This pleases The Stig that he can now download and watch himself on his Mac...

The Stig

The Stig posts on MacRumors? Awesome! Sadly though, since i'm from the US, I'm not allowed to watch you on my mac. Go smack whoever made that decision, and tell them I want more Stig!

[babyj]

I agree: Congratulations on spending £45,000 on a party (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/16/bbc-defends-cost-of-merlin-launch-party) in the middle of layoffs and mortgage foreclosures, Auntie Beeb.

It was a launch event for a major new drama series, not a piss up. Plus it would have been held before the series was broadcast which means about 4 months ago. They have to promote series like that and I'm sure some of the invites when to people responsible for buying broadcast rights for other countries.

It only made the news because one of their competitors decided to make an issue out of it. Was it really news? Or were they just stirring it up?

[sananda]

What do you mean? Shared internet connections from a computer?

A router can be had for little over £30 and PS3 has built in WiFi. Problem solved!

shame it can't join the existing network like everything else.

[neiltc13]

shame it can't join the existing network like everything else.

Well I'd have to argue that you must have a misconfiguration somewhere - I've had no problems with my PS3, a system which supports a broad range of connectivity options and which is capable of joining WiFi networks protected by a number of different security standards.

Out of interest, what brand of hardware was your PS3 not playing well with?

[sananda]

Out of interest, what brand of hardware was your PS3 not playing well with?

an iMac with internet sharing turned on.

it won't stay connected unless i turn off every other device in the house which is connected to the iMac and then only for a while. i checked some forums and it's a common problem.

[orangeandy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Does anyone here realise that iPlayer is not actually run by the BBC any more? They subcontract it to a private firm called red bee media (formally BBC technology, which was privatised) they are obliged to innovate in order to satisfy terms of their contact. And this product is still in public beta, and will most certainly improve with time, just give it a chance.

And btw, I echo all comments from uk users to anyone overseas who want to use the service. Yes.. Subscriptions would be a great idea, but are hulu doing the same? My flatmates and I watch almost as much us tv as uk and this service would be great!

Err.. that is quite a huge way off the mark. Yes the BBC subcontract certain elements to other providers, but to say that they don't run it is simply wrong.

Red Bee Media were formed when the commercial arm of the BBC titled 'BBC Broadcast' was sold, but yes, they provide some services to BBC for iPlayer.

BBC Technology, one of the other commercial arms of the BBC, were sold to Siemens... (who also provide services for iPlayer).

[albusseverus]

iTunes has enough problems (I'm no fan at all), but I only want one place to go to deal with my media.

Now, imagine a world where every content owner has their own proprietary player (every record company, every movie & television studio) and you have hundreds of incompatible players on your computer...

don't go there, don't encourage proprietary players, start now and don't participate, and email the providers and ask them to put it on iTunes.

For all its faults, iTunes financial motivation is the user experience. Distributors are all about 'creating value' by artificial scarcity, so (for example) content is on Hulu one month and gone the next... same 'old' behaviour we've come to expect. Don't encourage them.

Same with territories. The content owners are only controlling distribution by large territories (nations) at the moment, but the internet gives them control down to ISP or even IP address. Don't even open this door for them. The way they're going, they not only don't-get the global thing, they'll perpetuate their current distribution models, and when they get desperate, they'll keep making deals at smaller and smaller granularity, making media unwieldily and (like DRM) screwing the very people who pay for their product.

Don't encourage proprietary players. Don't even try them out. Encourage content owners to go to iTunes.

[neiltc13]

At least BBC iPlayer does what it does and does it well. iTunes is pure bloatware.

[bilbo--baggins]

I found the "High Quality" video on the iPlayer to be poor quality - like watching an old VHS tape, when viewed on my 32" LCD TV.

Improve the picture quality to at least equivalent to an SD Sky box.

They would need to somehow support the Apple TV for it to become anywhere near useful for me.

[dansumption]

The content is exactly the same quality as the HQ streaming options - it's just the player in the AIR application does a terrible job of scaling it. If you view full screen, then the quality issues go away.

Spot on! We have found the offending code, and the next release will have substantially better picture quality (even with content already downloaded). Sorry for letting this slip through, but please remember this is still beta software and there are big improvements on the way.

Does anyone here realise that iPlayer is not actually run by the BBC any more? They subcontract it to a private firm called red bee media

Not quite true - the iPlayer development team is run by the BBC (as are most of the teams within iPlayer), Red Mee Media are responsible for encoding the video and audio content.

[neyo]

When will content start becoming available for this new desktop client? I've seen 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' and 'Watchdog' so far only...

[dansumption]

When will content start becoming available for this new desktop client? I've seen 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks' and 'Watchdog' so far only...

There are other programmes up there but, I agree, not many, and frustratingly hard to find. As new ones go up, they'll (in most cases) be enabled for download, so over the next week there'll be much more. But NB "series stacked" programmes, i.e. those over a week old which are still on the site because the series is still ongoing, will be streaming only for the time being.

[dansumption]

Here's a few more I've found:

Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g34fg/b00g34f0/Charlie_Brookers_Screenwipe_Series_4_Episode_5/)
Outnumbered (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g4bdd/b00g4b64/Outnumbered_Series_2_Episode_5/)
Mark Lawson Talks To: Quentin Blake (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fm5p3/Mark_Lawson_Talks_To_Quentin_Blake/?from-gs)
Filthy Rich and Famous (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fygx4/Filthy_Rich_and_Famous/?from-gs)
Legends: Roy Orbison (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fzv3y/Legends_Roy_Orbison/?from-gs)
Louis Theroux (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b008qjh0/b008qjd8/Louis_Theroux_Behind_Bars/)
Cockles and Muscles (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g34sw/b00g34sc/Cockles_and_Muscles/)
Bring it On (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0078rnm/Bring_it_On_Series_3_Shark_Diving/?from-gs)
The Perfect House: The Life and Work of Palladio (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g34st/b00g34pb/The_Perfect_House_The_Life_and_Work_of_Palladio/)
The Medici: Makers of Modern Art (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fztl9/The_Medici_Makers_of_Modern_Art/?from-gs)
Doctor Who (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00byd29/Doctor_Who_Series_4_Silence_in_the_Library/)
Nigella's Christmas Kitchen (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g6z9x/b00g6yth/Nigellas_Christmas_Kitchen_Series_2_Short_and_Sweet/)
Strictly Come Dancing (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g669n/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Series_6_SemiFinal/?from-gs)
See Hear (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g334w/See_Hear_Series_28_Episode_22/?from-gs)


Hope that's something for everyone!

[EvanLugh]

Here's a few more I've found:

Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g34fg/b00g34f0/Charlie_Brookers_Screenwipe_Series_4_Episode_5/)
Outnumbered (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g4bdd/b00g4b64/Outnumbered_Series_2_Episode_5/)
Mark Lawson Talks To: Quentin Blake (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fm5p3/Mark_Lawson_Talks_To_Quentin_Blake/?from-gs)
Filthy Rich and Famous (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fygx4/Filthy_Rich_and_Famous/?from-gs)
Legends: Roy Orbison (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fzv3y/Legends_Roy_Orbison/?from-gs)
Louis Theroux (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b008qjh0/b008qjd8/Louis_Theroux_Behind_Bars/)
Cockles and Muscles (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g34sw/b00g34sc/Cockles_and_Muscles/)
Bring it On (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0078rnm/Bring_it_On_Series_3_Shark_Diving/?from-gs)
The Perfect House: The Life and Work of Palladio (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g34st/b00g34pb/The_Perfect_House_The_Life_and_Work_of_Palladio/)
The Medici: Makers of Modern Art (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fztl9/The_Medici_Makers_of_Modern_Art/?from-gs)
Doctor Who (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00byd29/Doctor_Who_Series_4_Silence_in_the_Library/)
Nigella's Christmas Kitchen (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g6z9x/b00g6yth/Nigellas_Christmas_Kitchen_Series_2_Short_and_Sweet/)
Strictly Come Dancing (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g669n/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Series_6_SemiFinal/?from-gs)
See Hear (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00g334w/See_Hear_Series_28_Episode_22/?from-gs)


Hope that's something for everyone!

Thanks for that :)

[JeromeOD]

US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD.

Patently untrue. I can't access any US network content online from the UK (legally, from a network site).

[The Phazer]

don't go there, don't encourage proprietary players, start now and don't participate, and email the providers and ask them to put it on iTunes.

And if iTunes refuses, because Apple has no interest in putting up free content up there when they'd become responsible for the bandwidth bill?

Same with territories. The content owners are only controlling distribution by large territories (nations) at the moment, but the internet gives them control down to ISP or even IP address. Don't even open this door for them. The way they're going, they not only don't-get the global thing, they'll perpetuate their current distribution models, and when they get desperate, they'll keep making deals at smaller and smaller granularity, making media unwieldily and (like DRM) screwing the very people who pay for their product.

You mean... exactly the same as iTunes then?

Worldwide licencing isn't going to happen without a single world government, because while different laws exist there will always need to be territorial restrictions.

That simple.

Phazer

[The Phazer]

Illegal on what basis? Unencrypted movie files are made publically available over HTTP

They're not made publically available - they're under terms and conditions and only made available for the purposes of streaming to iPhones.

Nor is there any legal right to take a copy of those files unless there is some kind of licence, or at least implied licence. Given there are terms and conditions explicitly stating otherwise, that is clearly not the case here.

Using a computer to do this is not only an civil infringement under the Copyright Act, but is also a criminal act under clause 1(1) of the Computer Misuse Act as it is unauthorised access to a computer (it is, of course, only a level 1 offense unless you do it with a profit motivation. If you're intending to flog the files on DVD to people down the pub the maximum sentence would be five years rather than six months.

and all this script does is bypass the weak security by obscurity and download them. Nothing is being hacked, no encryption is being broken.

It is pretty clearly both hacking and breaking encryption since the XOR headers are altered by the script.

Your claims are baseless. If this was illegal, then Paul would have no doubt been served a cease and desist by now. Except he hasn't. And he has been very public about the script's development. He even gave a presentation about it at a recent conference:

http://po-ru.com/presentations/iplayer-hacker/

The BBC almost never sues anyone sadly. The rights unions have to make them do it kicking and screaming, and that takes time.

I would suggest that Paul is on very shakey ground under Section 37 of the Police and Justice Act 2006, and it would be a good idea for him to seek legal advice sooner rather than later.

Phazer

[Master-D]

Pffft.

Other stations finance international deals with advertising. The BBC is paid for by people with a TV license IN THE UK. Why on earth would the BBC pay a premium for content distribution rights for people who don't pay anything, when they receive no additional advertising revenue...

I think if you go to the BBC website from overseas there is some advertising to support its costs, but the whole point of the license fee is to have media content that is apolitical, and without commercial influence, resulting in a (supposedly) unbiased, independent media source, quite unlike other broadcasters/propaganda pushers worldwide.

Maybe if you all chip in to the pot, there will be an international version. In the mean time... unlucky :)

---

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.[/QUOTE]

[shigzeo]

I find it sad and frustrating that Big Brother Corp has, in the past 30 years, not sorted out its copy-write agreements to allow the viewing of its programs outside the UK. No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD. Shows on iPlayer are only viewable in the UK and outsiders are left only with stuffy BBC Radio. In this day and age, that is ridiculous. It has taken way too long for BBC to fumble out an advanced iPlayer, yet this is all for not for anyone outside the island. The new iPlayer is no news for the rest of the planet.

not true. if i download, yes but if i go to the website, it says no as i do not live in usa. trust me, uk are not alone in this

[charente]

Great news about iPlayer. Does anyone have any ideas for transferring content to view on Apple TV, or is this not possible?

[sparkytrs]

The content is not being restricted because internet users outside the UK don't have a TV Liscence; the TV Liscence website here (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp) states:
You do not need a TV Licence to view video clips on the internet, as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time as you are viewing it.
However, a lot of shows are no longer made by the BBC and each individual production company has the right to decide whether their show is avaliable on iPlayer at all - whether that is in the UK, or anywhere else. The same applies for TV, and that is why any international BBC channel such as BBC America has a different playlist, and (as far as I know) shows like Top Gear are not available.

The iPlayer help page here (http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/download_programmes/outsideuk) says:
Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer television programmes are only available to users to download or stream (Click to Play) in the UK. However, BBC Worldwide is working on an international version, which we will make available as soon as possible.

So there is hope..

Even when the international version is released, I would imagine that it will show a similar set of shows to the BBC channel in the viewer's area so only shows airing on BBC America would be available in the USA iPlayer.. But your guess is as good as mine.

[jnc]

Given it a go now, the quality's passable and I'm using a 27" 1920x1200 display. Shame the online streaming's broken in my experience. Ah well. So long as downloading works.

Have never thought about using iPlayer on the PS3, just seems like an added hassle. Good to know your options though.

[The Phazer]

However, a lot of shows are no longer made by the BBC and each individual production company has the right to decide whether their show is avaliable on iPlayer at all - whether that is in the UK, or anywhere else. The same applies for TV, and that is why any international BBC channel such as BBC America has a different playlist, and (as far as I know) shows like Top Gear are not available.

It's not just externally made programmes - even in house programmes will use huge amounts of other people's copyright (music, for a start). Top Gear for example is blocked for music rights reasons, and the versions shown internationally are re-edited with different soundtracks. Given that re-editing happens after the show airs, you're not going to get it in time for the iPlayer window.

So there is hope..

Even when the international version is released, I would imagine that it will show a similar set of shows to the BBC channel in the viewer's area so only shows airing on BBC America would be available in the USA iPlayer.. But your guess is as good as mine.

Pretty much. The selection might get a bit bigger and a bit quicker, but it's never going to be simultaneous access to the UK.

One would also note, of course, that some BBC programmes (once their international rights clearance is sorted out) already are sold on iTunes in the US...

Phazer

[robanga]

There are sites that allow you to essentially spoof your IP, I know someone that was using it to watch Hulu in Japan. Again questionable legality I believe.

[Luke Redpath]

They're not made publically available - they're under terms and conditions and only made available for the purposes of streaming to iPhones.

Wrong again. If they weren't publically available, then the iPhone wouldn't be able to access them without some kind of authentication. There is no authentication, just some very basic user-agent/http header detection.

Besides, you can argue about the legalities of it if you like, it doesn't really bother me. I have no moral issue with using the iplayer-dl script for personal use only and I'm not sure why anybody else would either.

[Dagless]

That's awesome. But I use that Grabber app. Nice to see though, the iPlayer has saved my life on more than a few occasions :D before we got a DVR though.

[BillyBobBongo]

Iplayer can only be used if your computer thinks it is in the UK.

Fixed that for ya!

Great to see that the mighty beeb are taking the rest of us into account.

[Willis]

the quality is a bit... less to be desired, but... it works!

with time, I'm sure the quality will be fixed. people complaining about interface, resources ect... ITS A BETA... wait till february for the full version.

[Willis]

The content is not being restricted because internet users outside the UK don't have a TV Liscence; the TV Liscence website here (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp) states:

However, a lot of shows are no longer made by the BBC and each individual production company has the right to decide whether their show is avaliable on iPlayer at all - whether that is in the UK, or anywhere else. The same applies for TV, and that is why any international BBC channel such as BBC America has a different playlist, and (as far as I know) shows like Top Gear are not available.


Almost true. You missed this though
It makes no difference what equipment you use - whether it’s a laptop, PC, mobile phone, digital box, DVD recorder or a TV set - you still need a licence.

Basically, even if you don't have a TV in your house, to watch shows on BBC iPlayer, you do need a TV license.

Just an extra note. A Production company doesn't decide if they end up on the iPlayer service. It's down to broadcasting rights. If the BBC has ownership, they have control if to air it again or not. In most cases they lease the rights for broadcast while retaining ownership. It's more likely down to popularity if it ends up on the iPlayer. Top Gear is an obvious example. They show the last episode from the last series along with the complete series so far. They own the rights to the programme but lease the older series to Dave.

[SimonMW]

Basically, even if you don't have a TV in your house, to watch shows on BBC iPlayer, you do need a TV license.

Not true. This is the dirty little secret that the Beeb doesn't really want people to know. The programmes appear on iPlayer an hour after broadcast and there is a caveat in the license system that means that it is totally legal to watch on iPlayer without the need for a license. Many people are doing just this and the BBC recently had to admit that they are not breaking the law by doing so.

[Biolizard]

Not true. This is the dirty little secret that the Beeb doesn't really want people to know. The programmes appear on iPlayer an hour after broadcast and there is a caveat in the license system that means that it is totally legal to watch on iPlayer without the need for a license. Many people are doing just this and the BBC recently had to admit that they are not breaking the law by doing so.

Indeed, a Licence is only required to watch live broadcasts; thus iPlayer is exempt.

[Topher15]

I love the fact that the volume goes to 11. Not 10. 11. :D

[Willis]

Ah cheeky, didn't hear about that.

But what are the BBC starting to roll out across the iPlayer service? Live streaming of TV shows. So, in a roundabout way, my point does stand. Only just though :p

[dansumption]

Interesting comments on the legality or otherwise of the iPhone downloads crack here:
http://ixnotes.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/iplayer-drm-os-neutrality-with-bbcs-head-of-digital-media-technolog-anthony-rose/

[robkat]

had no problems setting up iplayer to download but they will not open in real player? What else could I use to play the progs?

[edesignuk]

had no problems setting up iplayer to download but they will not open in real player? What else could I use to play the progs?The iPlayer program itself plays them.

[robkat]

The iPlayer program itself plays them.

Silly me, just discovered that.
cheers:)

[EvanLugh]

I didn't realise you could watch live TV
http://www.grabup.com/uploads/e80f62a662f9eaf74b31190a72c8cadc.png?direct
Just go to /today on the schedule and it says NOW ON..

[robkat]

Will it be possible to burn to disc and watch later?

[edesignuk]

Will it be possible to burn to disc and watch later?No, it has DRM.

[duklaprague]

uhuh, you couldn't be more wrong. You yanks have tonnes of websites us brits visit that tell us for US citizens only, if not just e-stores and so fourth but video streaming sites too. Too many a time i have seen youtube like sites that work in agreement with tv programming corporations like fox to put 'The Simpsons' for free on their site, but wait im told because im in the UK i cant watch it due to licensing issues outside the us. So get off your high horse and get used to it, everyone else outside the US has to put up with the same BS from many a site from the USA. Deal with it.

Exactly.

Not least there's that thing, the I-Tunes Music Store.

[nick9191]

No, we foreigners don't pay television tax, but online who does? No one! US and other foreign shows can be viewed anywhere when accessed online, and often in HD.

Err no we can't watch US shows online. I am greeted with a "sorry this is not available in your location" when I visit NBC, FOX etc. Not that there is anything worth watching on those networks. We can't watch Hulu, we can't watch South Park online (legally). And whats more is this is advert supported, meaning if we were allowed to watch it we would be paying for it by watching through the adverts like you guys do. The BBC is not advert supported (in the UK), meaning we would have to pay the licence whilst you watch it.

You might also like to know that a lot of the shows on BBC America (for example Skins) is not made by the BBC, its made by Channel 4, meaning that even if they could sort out an advert supported iplayer for international users, its quite possible that half the programmes you watch on BBC America or BBC Worldwide would not be on there. This is what they mean when they say they cannot sort out licence agreements.

Basically, ****.

Oh see attachment, thats what we get when we try to watch South Park from the South Park website :rolleyes:

[weckart]

Will it be possible to burn to disc and watch later?

If you want to download the programs to watch later without the BBC iplayer, then use this third party iplayer downloader and watch without DRM in Quicktime/VLC/Movist/your iPhone/iPod Touch/whatever you like

http://www.lawrencedudley.co.uk/iplayer/

[Adamo]

Of course, there is the minor matter that this is illegal, and indeed arguably a criminal offense under the Computer Misuse Act...

Phazer
I wonder if you say such things when people record things on the TV?

[Adamo]

Indeed, a Licence is only required to watch live broadcasts; thus iPlayer is exempt.
Yet the BBC website allows you to watch Match of the Day live..

[The Phazer]

I wonder if you say such things when people record things on the TV?

No, because there is a specific law allowing that (though only for temporary timeshifting).

Phazer

[The Phazer]

Yet the BBC website allows you to watch Match of the Day live..

Which requires a TV licence.

Phazer

[albusseverus]

No, because there is a specific law allowing that (though only for temporary timeshifting).

Phazer

I wonder how long before 'the people' will take back control of the digital realm?

How many years did it take to get that law in the analogue realm? 50 ?

Which requires a TV licence.

Phazer

I guess there's an exception for the BBC World Service. :D

A smart British Government would see the VALUE of making the British world view available globally on the internet too.

[dansumption]

I guess there's an exception for the BBC World Service. :D

A smart British Government would see the VALUE of making the British world view available globally on the internet too.
All BBC Radio is available free worldwide, via iPlayer.

[The Phazer]

I wonder how long before 'the people' will take back control of the digital realm?

How many years did it take to get that law in the analogue realm? 50 ?

About 300. And it's a terrible hack law as it is, much more likely to be annulled than extended to digital content.

I guess there's an exception for the BBC World Service. :D

Yes, it's located in the dictionary under the words "radio" and "television" being on different pages.

A smart British Government would see the VALUE of making the British world view available globally on the internet too.

I'm sure they do. And I'm sure they see the costs of doing so, and note that the latter is more than the former.

Phazer

[babyj]

A smart British Government would see the VALUE of making the British world view available globally on the internet too.

The BBC is independent of the government and they go to some lengths to ensure that is the case (the WMD / Iraq issue being an excellent example of the BBC and the government locking horns).

If the BBC do portray any view of the British world, they do it the way they want to though the BBC is pretty highly regarded worldwide for its neutrality - a lot of people around the world rely upon the BBC World Service for the news.

The new desktop iPlayer has been working pretty well for me - pretty much all the programmes I've wanted to watch over the last few days have been available for download.

[kastenbrust]

You can actually use Iplayer in the US or any other country than the UK if you wish, you simply have to use a UK based Proxy Server.

[sparkytrs]

Sky's website now also states that it is now possible to watch some live channels in OSX by downloading silverlight.
Sky TV and Broadband customers can get the service for free, TV only customers pay a fee of £9.78, and non sky customers can pay significantly more...

See the sky website here (https://skyplayer.sky.com/vod/page/home.do)
You can now watch Sky Player on a Mac! All you need is a Mac with Microsoft Silverlight 2.0 (the free browser plug-in) to watch TV on Sky Player.


Although on demand channels are still not avaliable:
Unfortunately, on demand Movies and Entertainment aren't available yet. Apologies, we'll offer our full range of on demand content on Macs in 2009.

Of course, you are still legally required to hold a TV licence to watch live TV (even non-BBC programmes) and although it is not written in the system requirements, it will most likely not be available to anyone with a non-UK IP address.

[trish377]

I'd pay a limited license fee to be able to watch the beeb over here. BBC America is rubbish. Thankfully there are places where current shows can be obtained...

I was wondering where and how you get a limited license and how much is the fee. Also what shows and stations do you get?. thanks for any info.http://images.macrumors.com/vb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[zevot]

cool i just used it to watch the fireworks on the new years eve looks spectacular i can only say :D:D:D

[WPeterson]

it said UK only....sad, i just thought i can watch some classic bbc tv series via that little app. why not get connected, bbc america?

:mad: