paul kersey

Do any of you find the BBC i-player to be useful ? . I normally record programmes on to a Humax PVR, but due to a glitch the recording of "Trawlermen" was un-successful. As the BBC seems to be reluctant to repeat as many programmes as it used to, not even BBC3 or BBC4 have shown it, I decided to use BBC i-player. Although I found that downloading the programme was easy, I was annoyed to find that it is not possible to further download onto a DVD-rw and therefore had to view the programme on my PC's monitor rather than watch it on my Widescreen
TV in the Lounge. Whilst I understand that there is possibly some copyright issue
with the i-Player, the fact that I can record and store all TV programmes at time of Broadcast on to DVD, VCR or PVR seems to cancel out that point of conflict. This brings me to the point of this posting (Finally) " What is the point of a time-limited
system, that can only be easily viewed on a Monitor and can't be downloaded on to another format for later viewing?

.

Steve Crook

There are applications that let you intercept whatever is sent to the video card in your PC's monitor. If you can view it then you can save it, but they don't make it easy (deliberately so)

Couldn't you hook up your widescreen as an external monitor to your PC?

Steve

CaptainWaggett

I would imagine that the vast majority of iPlayer users aren't bothered about archiving stuff (isn't it strictly illegal anyway? ) - they just want to catch up on the episode of Eastenders or The Archers that they missed. But the Beeb still want to sell dvds, not unreasonably.

Wolfgang

You can always subscribe to Virgin Media. They offer iplayer as part of their free TV catch-up service, which means you can watch it on your TV and record off it. I much prefer it to watching TV on my PC.

wellpip

I find that with catch-up TV and Iplayer I no longer bother with recording now, no need to unless it’s a movie.. I often watch programs on my pc so find Iplayer very useful.

Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.
- W C Fields

Freddy

Same here, I use my computer as a TV now, and of all the channels . . BBCi, itv, C4, I find iplayer wonderful, easy to navigate, clear as to what can be played and what can't.

I'm sure one can get a toggle to watch all tv but what I must get is a lead to be able to play videos on the monitor. Mine is an imac and the quality is first class, better than some flat screens I've seen and the same as CRT sets.

The one problem is Broadband speeds, Although I pay for 8mb the download speed is no more than 1.39mb/s.

Wolfgang

I would not be without it but I think it is outrageous that licence payers have funded it. It should have been funded by advertising like 4od or by subscription. We managed for years without it so there is no valid reason why we had to fund it with licence money, coming from many people who do not have internet access. Maybe they could introduce £10 monthly broadband licence fee to fund BBC's internet enterprises?

CaptainWaggett

How many people really don't have internet access? We get lots of people using it in the library - we even lend them headphones and run free courses explaining how to access it.

Wolfgang

Well my father for one. He looks at computers like they are flying saucers. My grandmother. I think you will find there is large number of licence fee payers without access or have no interest in using iplayer. My point is that we pay our licence fee to be legally allowed to receive TV signals, so I don't think it is appropriate to then spend it on developing internet technology, which has absolutely nothing to do with watching my TV. They should charge users directly for using it or add broadband surcharge to licence so those that don't have internet access don't have to pay. Don't you think that is fairer?

CaptainWaggett

No. I'm sure exactly the same arguments were used about the development of colour tv which most people didn't have for years or BBC2 which most people couldn't receive at first or BBC digital channels which plenty of people still choose not to receive. Anyway, there's a difference between choosing not to take advantage of internet access and not having internet access...

Wolfgang

Well you had option of purchasing black and white licence, and while I don't approve of BBC's digital service at least it is still TV service. What I am objecting to is using TV licence money being used to provide internet services. There is going to be more correlation between iplayer usage and those that have broadband than those that have TV licence, so what they could easily do is add surcharge on to your broadband subsription which could be used to fund iplayer. Do you not agree this would be fairer?

wellpip

My daughter is at college and during one class they were asked how many of them use the internet at home? everyone put their hand up. Next question was how many watch TV online instead of sitting in the living room with the rest of the family? 75% said they prefer to view it online because it’s more convenient. I don’t agree with any more licence fees or broadband charges as we are paying enough here for everything as it is. If the BBC want more revenue then let them turn to advertising like the rest and be done with it. Stop paying the likes of Mr Ross 18 million they would have more than enough to provide us with a better and more varied service..


Iplayer....

Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.
- W C Fields

Trevor

iPlayer is now available on Playstation 3 (which for me means on TV). The latest system update is needed, then simply use PS3's browser to go to the iPlayer site. Watch in fullscreen. Amazing!

Best wishes.

Trev

lionheart

hello ,

yes i found link !
BBC NEWS | Technology | BBC iPlayer launches Wii channel

Nintendo wii and playstation3 . !

question : has anyone tried using the network plug to get internet from a router
to a playstation3 ( think the nintendo wii is wireless ? )

networkplug are a non wireless form of networking , useful in households
where wireless is hit and miss ( like my house ) link below for example :

Max Value 85 Mbps Home Plug Double Unit Pack: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

i would prefere to watch iplayer content in the lounge as apposed
to my computer study ( spare bedroom )


cheers
Rich

Harold Steptoe: That's nothing mate, we got King Size fleas here!

Freddy

This post starts off with me slapping my forehead and saying duh!

Whenever I watch tv through broadband I have always gone to the BBC i player home page to see what is showing. In their today list some programmes come up as not available so my assumption was just that, that I could not see it via broadband.

However imagine my suprise and delight when watching Alan Bennet last night on the BBC 2 live web page it continued with the wonderful A Day Out which according to the home page was not available. It must be that when they say not available they mean cannot be archived and watched in the time period.

I will add though that there are some programmes, mainly films or American series which cannot be seen live as well.



Freddy