BBC iPlayer

[ddrichardson]

For anyone who hasn't signed the online petition, here (http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page13090.asp) is the Governments findings. For anyone who hasn't beung following the story, BBC's on demand service was to by tied to Windows only.

The good news is that they now must support other operating systems and the BBC Trust will check progress every six months and report on progress.

[floke]

They were always supposed to support other OS's -- the only new thing here is a 6 month 'review'. Woo-hoo. Fan-bloody-tastic.

[ddrichardson]

Well, what were you expecting - an Ubuntu version by return of post? It's the BBC we're talking about. At least they are now being reviewed for compliance.

I can understand that they need to prevent non-licence payers accessing the service, but Windows only was just plain lazy.

[Beamerboy]

Actually the 6 month review is not new either. The original official statement from the BBC stated it would bring out a player for other OS' within 2 years (although they only hinted at MacOS not Linux in this statement). Earlier this year (around February iirc) that official statement was amended to 6 monthly reviews with no set deadline and still no definitive mention of Linux.

So there is literally nothing new here. Chances are we will not get a client for Linux due to the fact that the content providers are insisting on DRM packaging and they don't like the fact people will be able to circumvent this in Linux (although they can in Windows too but as we all know Linux users are "terrists" "pirates" and "pedophiles" [sic]).

Basically the government have done nothing but reiterate what the BBC have already said which leaves us in -exactly- the same place we were in 6 months ago. We need to continue to keep the pressure on, continue writing letters to the OFT, BBC Trust and our MPs, and we need to continue with direct action such as the recent pickets by FSF in Manchester and London.

Paladine

[sanderella]

I read the response as being positive. We have to be vigilant and make sure none of the BBC's stuff is locked into Microsoft. More petitioning may be needed....

[Beamerboy]

I read the response as being positive. We have to be vigilant and make sure none of the BBC's stuff is locked into Microsoft. More petitioning may be needed....

Petitioning has its place, but it doesn't do anything apart from prove public opinion, it rarely leads to action.

Letter writing campaigns ake up real man hours and budgets to deal with, so it does have an effect.

Paladine

[Nezing]

Here you go.The official BBC reply to cross platform support.:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayerbeta/

As the player is still in beta,I just hope their code writers,some of whom must have heard of Linux? will eventually write the extra lines needed.
Of course if/when that will happen is any one's guess,but it is very annoying.Also as a license payer,a petition is a good idea,as long as it is not filed in cabinet z. :(

[Daveski]

I like the fact that they have grouped Windows Vista into the 'other' OS category:


Concurrently, we're continuing to develop the platform for use with Windows Vista, Apple Macintosh and Linux operating systems.

[CPKS]

Having struggled to get iplayer video working in Firefox, I then found the audio version ("listen again") just wouldn't work - despite having installed realPlayer. My ubuntu version is Hardy 8.04, 64-bit.

What to do? Inspiration: I installed Opera. Everything works.

I strongly recommend Opera - its SVG rendering and its support for HTML are second to none in my opinion. (Confession time: after using it preferentially for about a year in Win-XP, I finally made it my default browser, and I haven't regretted my decision.)

[Sigur]

Anybody managed to listen music with bbc iplayer? I use firefox.
This is the only reason I keep the windows partition.
Help me get rid of it once and for all! ):P

[beercz]

Anybody managed to listen music with bbc iplayer? I use firefox.
This is the only reason I keep the windows partition.
Help me get rid of it once and for all! ):P
I don't listen to music on the bbci player, but I watch tv programs that I have missed using it, and I also listen to the radio (http://bbc.co.uk/fivelive) and watch the BBC News Channel live (available from http://news.bbc.co.uk) using the bbci player, all in firefox in ubuntu.

[AndyCooll]

Anybody managed to listen music with bbc iplayer? I use firefox.
This is the only reason I keep the windows partition.
Help me get rid of it once and for all! ):P
Are you talking about programs in the "Music" category (e.g. Later with Jools Holland) or repeats of radio shows (e.g. Chris Moyles show)?

I've occasionally watched or listened to these via the BBC's iPlayer, and I use Firefox. I find I have mixed success/failure with the radio shows.

For instance, in the World Music section "World Routes" plays fine, but "Charlie Gilletts World of Music" doesn't.
I'm guessing it's a codec issues and that different shows are recorded in different formats ("Caschlar", which is on the same page for instance, wants me to install Real Player before it will play!)

:cool:

[Sigur]

I have installed Real Player and through it I can listen to live programs on BBC stations through direct URL.
The problem is that i could never listen shows through the "listen again" buttons. I have tried installing firefox addons, but nothing has worked.
Which codec could I add?

[ww711]

iPlayer works fine for myself, running with Firefox; both tv and radio stream consistently.

[nothingspecial]

I listen to any BBC radio output using squeezebox and squeezecenter.

http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html

You don`t have to buy a squeezebox (although they`re brilliant) you can use softsqueeze on your pc.

http://softsqueeze.sourceforge.net/


Anyway, I can watch BBC programs on my linux computer so I`ve not a problem with that. I haven`t figured out how to use the ITV or Channel 4 players yet. That`s what bugs me.

[ww711]

Anyway, I can watch BBC programs on my linux computer so I`ve not a problem with that. I haven`t figured out how to use the ITV or Channel 4 players yet. That`s what bugs me.

ITV uses silverlight/windows media player, same for Channel4...


From the Channel 4 Catch-Up 'help site'.



When will Catch-Up be available to users on MAC OS, Linux or other Operating platforms?
At the moment, Catch-Up is unavailable to other operating systems, including Mac OS and Linux.

The reason for this is our content providers (e.g. the production companies who make our shows) insist on using a DRM licensing system to protect their programmes, and the sole DRM solution that matches the content owners' requirements is Windows DRM. However, we are looking at other solutions to allow Mac and Linux systems to access this content.

[getaboat]

It all worked OK on Fiesty - but it became very clunky on Hardy and I still have one Hardy PC where it does not work.

In FF I installed the media connectivity plug-in which seemed to help.

Thanks for the tip on Opera I'll give that a try - I quite like the latest Opera.

[Sigur]

Thanks guys. Now I can say that I don't need the Windows partition anymore!
I had to uninstall and reinstall the helix player and change the RTSP settings that I had changed few months ago trying to make it work.
Now BBC iplayer is working perfectly

[Andavane]

These days it "Just Plays" :-)

[beercz]

Use it all the time - almost daily :-)