BBC iplayer

DanaC · 02-25-2008, 08:32 AM

I know several of the American dwellars have a penchant for some BBC programming so figured I'd do a little advertising fo rthe new BBC iplayer service.

Most BBC programmes are now put onto the iplayer, available to download for free up to six days after they're aired. Once downloaded they can be kept for up to a month (presumably after this they self-destruct!) though once you start watching the file, it has a lifespan of seven days.

The download manager is free to download and allows the programmes to be downloaded onto your computer, but...if you have a fast enough connection you can dispense with all that and just watch it straight from the iplayer without downloading anything.

I can highly recommend the service to anybody who likes BBC comedy, drama or documentaries. They even put Newsnight on there and a bunch of kids shows. After the prograjmme's been on there for six days, it is moved to the pay-to-download itunes site.

If anybody wants to try it out, there's a really good episode of Armstrong and Miller with a few days still to go. It's a sketch show and very funny. Also recent episodes of Torchwood, Ashes to Ashes (the sequel to Life on Mars) and a new comedy drama Being Human which is brilliant.

Anyway that's my public service broadcast done with :P

and here's a link to the iplayer page

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

SteveDallas · 02-25-2008, 08:41 AM

It's also available to delivery only to UK IP addresses. (I'm sure this can be spoofed, but I haven't made the effort yet.)

DanaC · 02-25-2008, 08:46 AM

Shit. Sorry, didn't realise. that totally sucks

smoothmoniker · 02-25-2008, 10:28 AM

Anybody have a UK proxy we can use?

SteveDallas · 02-25-2008, 10:36 AM

I'll look around when I have a chance... like I said I'm not sure how difficult it will be to get around it. (Browsing web pages through a proxy somewhere is relatively simple. Persuading Flash, Java, etc. to go through the proxy as well can be a pain, in my experience.)

smoothmoniker · 02-25-2008, 02:47 PM

Steve - not so! If you're comfortable with a few small terminal commands, you can create a SOCKS tunnel that will send absolutely everything through the proxy.

We have a pretty brutal filter on campus, and I run into content all the time that gets filtered. I have a proxy set to my Dreamhost hosting account, and one of my browsers is always set to use the proxy connection. Works like a charm, including flash video, java, all that pretty pretty.

Flint · 02-25-2008, 03:16 PM

Is there anything smoothmoniker can't do?

smoothmoniker · 02-25-2008, 04:45 PM

Vote democrat?

SteveDallas · 02-25-2008, 04:54 PM

I've actually used a virtual machine that redirects everything through tor, transparently to the host machine. But I haven't looked into how to restrict that to a UK-based endpoint. What's your preferred solution?

smoothmoniker · 02-26-2008, 01:23 PM

The simplest solution would be to find a hosting company in the UK that allows SSH access and port forwarding, preferably one that's only a few bucks a month. Then, just open an SSH tunnel on some arbitrary port (like 8081) to the server, set your browser to use localhost port 8081 as it's SOCKS proxy, and all of the data between that browser and the internet will be passed through the UK server.

TheMercenary · 02-26-2008, 01:43 PM

Can I use BBC iPlayer outside the UK?

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.

Radio programmes are available outside the UK in addition to podcasts at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/directory/. Many BBC News programmes are available for viewers outside the UK at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/video_and_audio/default.stm, BBC Sport highlights are available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport and BBC Radio stations are available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

Do make sure you check for news on BBC iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk

Can I download programmes from outside the UK?

The BBC uses Geo-IP technology to identify where you are based on the location of your internet service provider (ISP). This ensures that only internet users in the UK can enjoy programmes on BBC iPlayer.

If you download a programme to your laptop or a portable hard drive, you can watch this wherever you are in the world. However, you will only be able to download new programmes once you return to the UK.

How does BBC iPlayer identify that I'm in the UK?

BBC iPlayer recognises your location by checking your IP address (a sequence of numbers for every computer on the internet), which your ISP needs to have UK-registered with Quova, as we do not maintain a list of IP addresses.

I'm in the United Kingdom but told that I'm not

Sometimes even though you're in Britain it's possible you may see a message saying you're not. This could be because your computer is on a foreign-based network, or is routed overseas (sometimes the case with work connections if your employer is not UK-based). Some programs, such as web accelerators, can cause your IP address to appear as if it is outside the UK.

If BBC iPlayer doesn't recognise your IP address at all, then you won't be able to stream or download programmes.

Occasionally it may simply be a network error, so it's worth closing your browser and reopening as a new IP address is allocated which may be UK-based.

Our Geo-IP technology system recognises IP addresses provided by UK-based internet service providers (ISPs). If BBC iPlayer doesn't recognise your address, contact your ISP and establish whether:

Your ISP has registered with Quova and if they're still processing the registration.
There's a technical problem with your IP Address.

If your ISP has registered with the appropriate databases, our servers are updated on a monthly basis so you will have to wait until the next refresh to gain access.

You can discuss this issue on the BBC iPlayer messageboard.

Bastids, I love the BBC.

DanaC · 02-26-2008, 03:26 PM

Yah. I guess it's either to do with copyright laws (in the same way our universities can only digitise certain books for students use and those generally exclude american publications) or to do with the licence fee: anybody with a television or radio in Britain is expected to pay a licence fee which is what pays for bbc programming.
Still sucks though

TheMercenary · 02-26-2008, 06:13 PM

yea, but you guys don't have commercials. I pay for my cable now. I still have commercials.

DanaC · 02-26-2008, 06:20 PM

*chuckles* yeah. Only on the BBC though. Think about this: if I choose not to watch any BBC channels and watch only my paid subscription satellite or cable channels, I still have to pay the licence fee simply because I own a television. The paid subscription channels all have adverts (except some of the premium movie channels). The non-BBC terrestrial free to view terrestrial channels also all have adverts. The ony channels which don't are BBC channels. I have to pay for them whether i want them or not :P

TheMercenary · 02-26-2008, 06:46 PM

When we were there a year or so ago our hosts told us that they have roving trucks that go around and look for people who have a signal that don't pay for it and then they bust them, fine them, and worse. Is that true?

02-25-2008, 08:32 AM	#1
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	BBC iplayer I know several of the American dwellars have a penchant for some BBC programming so figured I'd do a little advertising fo rthe new BBC iplayer service. Most BBC programmes are now put onto the iplayer, available to download for free up to six days after they're aired. Once downloaded they can be kept for up to a month (presumably after this they self-destruct!) though once you start watching the file, it has a lifespan of seven days. The download manager is free to download and allows the programmes to be downloaded onto your computer, but...if you have a fast enough connection you can dispense with all that and just watch it straight from the iplayer without downloading anything. I can highly recommend the service to anybody who likes BBC comedy, drama or documentaries. They even put Newsnight on there and a bunch of kids shows. After the prograjmme's been on there for six days, it is moved to the pay-to-download itunes site. If anybody wants to try it out, there's a really good episode of Armstrong and Miller with a few days still to go. It's a sketch show and very funny. Also recent episodes of Torchwood, Ashes to Ashes (the sequel to Life on Mars) and a new comedy drama Being Human which is brilliant. Anyway that's my public service broadcast done with :P and here's a link to the iplayer page http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

02-25-2008, 10:28 AM	#4
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Anybody have a UK proxy we can use? __________________ to live and die in LA

02-25-2008, 02:47 PM	#6
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Steve - not so! If you're comfortable with a few small terminal commands, you can create a SOCKS tunnel that will send absolutely everything through the proxy. We have a pretty brutal filter on campus, and I run into content all the time that gets filtered. I have a proxy set to my Dreamhost hosting account, and one of my browsers is always set to use the proxy connection. Works like a charm, including flash video, java, all that pretty pretty. __________________ to live and die in LA

02-25-2008, 03:16 PM	#7
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Is there anything smoothmoniker can't do? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-25-2008, 04:45 PM	#8
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Vote democrat? __________________ to live and die in LA

02-25-2008, 08:41 AM	#2
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	It's also available to delivery only to UK IP addresses. (I'm sure this can be spoofed, but I haven't made the effort yet.)

02-25-2008, 08:46 AM	#3
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Shit. Sorry, didn't realise. that totally sucks

02-25-2008, 10:36 AM	#5
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	I'll look around when I have a chance... like I said I'm not sure how difficult it will be to get around it. (Browsing web pages through a proxy somewhere is relatively simple. Persuading Flash, Java, etc. to go through the proxy as well can be a pain, in my experience.)

02-25-2008, 04:54 PM	#9
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	I've actually used a virtual machine that redirects everything through tor, transparently to the host machine. But I haven't looked into how to restrict that to a UK-based endpoint. What's your preferred solution?

02-26-2008, 01:23 PM	#10
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	The simplest solution would be to find a hosting company in the UK that allows SSH access and port forwarding, preferably one that's only a few bucks a month. Then, just open an SSH tunnel on some arbitrary port (like 8081) to the server, set your browser to use localhost port 8081 as it's SOCKS proxy, and all of the data between that browser and the internet will be passed through the UK server. __________________ to live and die in LA

02-26-2008, 01:43 PM	#11
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Can I use BBC iPlayer outside the UK? 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. Radio programmes are available outside the UK in addition to podcasts at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/directory/. Many BBC News programmes are available for viewers outside the UK at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/video_and_audio/default.stm, BBC Sport highlights are available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport and BBC Radio stations are available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/ Do make sure you check for news on BBC iPlayer at www.bbc.co.uk Can I download programmes from outside the UK? The BBC uses Geo-IP technology to identify where you are based on the location of your internet service provider (ISP). This ensures that only internet users in the UK can enjoy programmes on BBC iPlayer. If you download a programme to your laptop or a portable hard drive, you can watch this wherever you are in the world. However, you will only be able to download new programmes once you return to the UK. How does BBC iPlayer identify that I'm in the UK? BBC iPlayer recognises your location by checking your IP address (a sequence of numbers for every computer on the internet), which your ISP needs to have UK-registered with Quova, as we do not maintain a list of IP addresses. I'm in the United Kingdom but told that I'm not Sometimes even though you're in Britain it's possible you may see a message saying you're not. This could be because your computer is on a foreign-based network, or is routed overseas (sometimes the case with work connections if your employer is not UK-based). Some programs, such as web accelerators, can cause your IP address to appear as if it is outside the UK. If BBC iPlayer doesn't recognise your IP address at all, then you won't be able to stream or download programmes. Occasionally it may simply be a network error, so it's worth closing your browser and reopening as a new IP address is allocated which may be UK-based. Our Geo-IP technology system recognises IP addresses provided by UK-based internet service providers (ISPs). If BBC iPlayer doesn't recognise your address, contact your ISP and establish whether: Your ISP has registered with Quova and if they're still processing the registration. There's a technical problem with your IP Address. If your ISP has registered with the appropriate databases, our servers are updated on a monthly basis so you will have to wait until the next refresh to gain access. You can discuss this issue on the BBC iPlayer messageboard. Bastids, I love the BBC. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

02-26-2008, 03:26 PM	#12
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Yah. I guess it's either to do with copyright laws (in the same way our universities can only digitise certain books for students use and those generally exclude american publications) or to do with the licence fee: anybody with a television or radio in Britain is expected to pay a licence fee which is what pays for bbc programming. Still sucks though

02-26-2008, 06:13 PM	#13
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	yea, but you guys don't have commercials. I pay for my cable now. I still have commercials. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

02-26-2008, 06:20 PM	#14
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	chuckles yeah. Only on the BBC though. Think about this: if I choose not to watch any BBC channels and watch only my paid subscription satellite or cable channels, I still have to pay the licence fee simply because I own a television. The paid subscription channels all have adverts (except some of the premium movie channels). The non-BBC terrestrial free to view terrestrial channels also all have adverts. The ony channels which don't are BBC channels. I have to pay for them whether i want them or not :P

02-26-2008, 06:46 PM	#15
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	When we were there a year or so ago our hosts told us that they have roving trucks that go around and look for people who have a signal that don't pay for it and then they bust them, fine them, and worse. Is that true? __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

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