Freesat and BBC iPlayer

Trevord

See new post below (from www.joinfreesat.co.uk)
Does anyone think that freesat iplayer functionality will work in Ireland ?

_______________________________________________


BBC iPlayer’s long-awaited beta testing is finally expected to start this November.

According to Rahul Chakkara, Controller of TV Platforms at BBC FM&T, the MHEG-5 compliant version of the interface will begin Beta deployment “by end of November” on the Freesat platform.

I expect to start a Beta deployment by the end of November using capable Freesat devices.

As we had suspected, it seems that BBC might have been holding back to introduce the service across both the Freesat and Freeview platform at the same time, though Freesat is still expected to be the first to offer in HD.

The DTG (Digital Television Group) supported by BBC R&D, has extended the MHEG-5 standard to use the interaction channel for handling Internet video. This standard has been adopted by Freesat and incorporated into the DBook 6.1 used in Freeview HD devices. Finally now the resulting MHEG-IC service will allow both platforms to access additional AV content via the Internet. This will include BBC iPlayer of course, as well as other VoD (Video On Demand) and Catch-up TV services, plus much more in the future including real-time programme interaction.

TheDriver

hmmmm, curious, wonder if it will be IP restricted though if you have a freesat tv, you are in theory only in the UK as oppsoed to IE which can be anywhere in world.

montgolfiere

TheDriver wrote: »

hmmmm, curious, wonder if it will be IP restricted though if you have a freesat tv, you are in theory only in the UK as oppsoed to IE which can be anywhere in world.

you can get access to i-player, 4-OD etc. (from anywhere) FREE (at the moment) by signing up to
i have been using it for the last month or so from here in France and have found it reliable & very easy to use.
the Skyman

TheDriver

does that change just the Internet Explorer IP address or the whole computer as I presume this could affect torrents

montgolfiere

TheDriver wrote: »

does that change just the Internet Explorer IP address or the whole computer as I presume this could affect torrents

i am not a computer expert but it worked for me like this:
you register on the site and download a small programmme which puts an icon on the desktop.
and then when you want to watch something you connect, watch the programme and then disconnect.
I have noticed that You cannot send emails when connected to i-portal , but all reverts to normal once disconnected.
it was pointed out to me by may 'Computer-Man' and seems all 'above board'
Hope this helps.....
the Skyman

loyatemu

it will still be IP restricted in the same way the browser version is, you'll need a broadband connection on your Freeview box and they'll be able to tell from that where you are.

markyboy

Was able to access 4OD today without i-portal.

montgolfiere

markyboy wrote: »

Was able to access 4OD today without i-portal.

not here in France just now!!!
the Skyman

efb

markyboy wrote: »

Was able to access 4OD today without i-portal.

My friend wrote to 4OD and they wrote back advising they have lifted the restriction for Irl. She's taking credit fir it. I don't mind, I've 4OD!

TheDriver

what is 40d

montgolfiere

channel4 'On Demand' view the 'back catalogue' via internet on your computer. similar to BBC i-player etc.
the Skyman

TheDriver

Ah I see, thought you were talking about freesat again.

Martin_F

With BT soon to be vodafone - am also able to access 4OD. fantastic.

snaps

i think any ip address in ireland can access 4OD

Ricky91t

efb wrote: »

My friend wrote to 4OD and they wrote back advising they have lifted the restriction for Irl. She's taking credit fir it. I don't mind, I've 4OD!

Now if she could just get her to write to BCC and ITV and Five that would be great

efb

Ricky91t wrote: »

Now if she could just get her to write to BCC and ITV and Five that would be great

I asked her to!

evilivor

http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/

ITV and freesat are working to launch ITV Player onto freesat in the first half of 2010.

evilivor

iPlayer Beta going live December 7th.

Following on from the BBC iPlayer conference this morning, Freesat have announced the launch of the BBC iPlayer beta from 7th December 2009.

All existing Freesat HD equipment will be able to receive the service so consumers will not need to buy a new receiver or television; new products will roll-out over time.

Below is more factsheet information on the new service:

Welcome to BBC iPlayer beta on Freesat

A Beta version of BBC iPlayer will be available on Freesat 7th December, offering the BBC catch up TV service for the first time on a non-subscription TV service over open internet.

During the initial stage of Beta, selected journalists and partners will be able to access the service using a code. We hope as many Freesat viewers as possible will be able to use the service by Christmas and without the need for a code.

Watch what you want, when you want to

With BBC iPlayer on Freesat, you can catch up on your favourite BBC programmes from the last seven days or catch-up on whole series you may have missed, whenever you want and from the comfort of your sofa.

In the run up to Christmas around 450 hours of programming will be available each week, including popular programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, EastEnders, Life, Gavin and Stacey, and The Gruffalo. And with the BBC’s full Christmas schedule still to be announced, Freesat viewers can look forward to even more great BBC programming being available whenever they feel like watching it.

The launch of BBC iPlayer on Freesat adds to the fantastic array of programmes already available on the platform including over 140 channels, with free HD from the BBC and ITV.

Easy set up

It’s easy to set up BBC iPlayer on Freesat. Simply connect your HD Freesat TV or HD box to your broadband via the Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable or homeplug.

Alternatively, you can arrange for a professional to connect BBC iPlayer for you, either as part of full install if you have just bought Freesat or separately if you already have Freesat installed.

Viewers will need an actual broadband speed of 1Mbps to watch BBC iPlayer or 2Mbps to watch in high quality. Because actual speeds can vary from those advertised, it’s best to first test your broadband speed. There are many ways to do this online for free using a site such as Speed Test.

You will initially be able to access the BBC iPlayer beta service by pressing the red button to get to the BBCi menu.

Emma Scott, Freesat’s managing director, comments,

We’re delighted to be able to offer BBC iPlayer to our viewers. All the HD receivers that have been bought and will be sold in the run up to Christmas will deliver BBC iPlayer so there’ll no need to buy any new receivers.

There’s a great schedule of programmes be available on BBC iPlayer in the lead up to Christmas with the likes of The Gruffalo, the EastEnders Special and Doctor Who.

BBC iPlayer has been fantastically successful online so being able to offer viewers the ability to watch it in their living room on a subscription free TV service for the first time will be transformational.

We’d like to thank the BBC for all their hard work bringing the service onto our platform.

Trevord

Supposing its not geoblocked and it works here, will you need an ethernet cable or could it be done with one of those wireless dongles ?

TheDriver

hmmmm, it is probably the same as the xbox where you need something that will resolve an IP address for you. However, I got a handy access point thingy from dabs for 30 quid last year for the xbox, basically picks up the wireless signal in the house, gets the ip address and then a wire into the xbox, all works fine so will try it on the foxsat and pana z81 when iplayer starts

Ponster

montgolfiere wrote: »

you can get access to i-player, 4-OD etc. (from anywhere) FREE (at the moment) by signing up to
i have been using it for the last month or so from here in France and have found it reliable & very easy to use.
the Skyman

It's a beta service that has since closed and will soon cost €€€ to access (though probably not more than €5 per month)

montgolfiere

its still working for me!!!
the Skyman

Ponster

Oh I never meant to say that it wasn't working, just that new users can't sign up. I contacted the owners and they said there'll be a few more weeks of free access yet.

mfield

montgolfiere wrote: »

you can get access to i-player, 4-OD etc. (from anywhere) FREE (at the moment) by signing up to
http://www.iportal.me/Index.aspx i have been using it for the last month or so from here in France and have found it reliable & very easy to use.
the Skyman

I just tried to register for this and it tells me 'Your account could not be created: Beta Full'

Anyone else, having problems?

Ponster

mfield wrote: »

I just tried to register for this and it tells me 'Your account could not be created: Beta Full'

Anyone else, having problems?

The free beta finished yesterday. I can recommend some non-free VPN services if that's any good ?

mfield

Ponster wrote: »

The free beta finished yesterday. I can recommend some non-free VPN services if that's any good ?

Yes please

Ponster

mfield wrote: »

Yes please

www.thefreevpn.com isn't too bad and free so you can't really complain.

As of Dec 19th it will probably be possible to receive all UK Freeview channels via the 'net without any need of proxies or VPNs but we'll have to wait and see.

montgolfiere

Ponster wrote: »

www.thefreevpn.com isn't too bad and free so you can't really complain.

As of Dec 19th it will probably be possible to receive all UK Freeview channels via the 'net without any need of proxies or VPNs but we'll have to wait and see.

i very much doubt it!!
in fact i would eat my proverbial hat if this was the case.
the Skyman

mfield

Ponster wrote: »

www.thefreevpn.com isn't too bad and free so you can't really complain.

As of Dec 19th it will probably be possible to receive all UK Freeview channels via the 'net without any need of proxies or VPNs but we'll have to wait and see.

Jaysus, that was far too easy Ponster! Works a treat, thanks a million!

Ponster

montgolfiere wrote: »

i very much doubt it!!
in fact i would eat my proverbial hat if this was the case.
the Skyman

Take a look here

The European Parliament has issued a Directive (known as the AVWF Directive) requiring all member countries to remove the legal blocks on the residents of one EU country from viewing (or listening to) the content of another. Each country is required to make changes to their national laws within two years of the date of the legislation, in other words, the 19th December 2009.

montgolfiere

Ponster wrote: »

Take a look here

The European Parliament has issued a Directive (known as the AVWF Directive) requiring all member countries to remove the legal blocks on the residents of one EU country from viewing (or listening to) the content of another. Each country is required to make changes to their national laws within two years of the date of the legislation, in other words, the 19th December 2009.

yes we have all seen this but everything i have seen written about this topic suggests that actually nothing will change. there are far too many commercial factors that stop this actually happening. regarding copyright etc.
in fact the UK is pretty far ahead of the game as there is nothing blocking anyone receiving the FTA 'national' TV and Radio channels by installing a simple dish with decoder; limited only by the reduction of signal the further away from the Uk you are!!!
I will post the video of the proverbial eating of the hat on youtube on the 20th., if i am wrong and iplayer etc is Free to the whole population of the EEC!!!
the Skyman

Ponster

Ah...I didn't say that Iplayer would be available but Freeview channels will most likely be made available via 3rd party sites.

montgolfiere

Ponster wrote: »

Ah...I didn't say that Iplayer would be available but Freeview channels will most likely be made available via 3rd party sites.

i also think it might be many years before this happens.

However.....it is likely to become more interesting for 'Expats abroad' ( and therefore a more attractive investment) if the NEW SES satellites that will come into service within 5 years restrict the signal even further and therefore cut off a million or so current viewers at a stroke. (the existing Astra satellites have only 3 or 4 years 'life' left)
the Skyman

evilivor

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=37178194&postcount=65

According to Digital Spy, code to enter the iPlayer best test is 8378.

To access iplayer beta, go to BBC1, press the red button, enter code and press ok.

Set up video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ttLGbZI7k

Has anyone got it working from Ireland yet?

*mods, free to delete/edit post if not kosher to post code.

lafors

evilivor wrote: »

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=37178194&postcount=65

According to Digital Spy, code to enter the iPlayer best test is 8378.

To access iplayer beta, go to BBC1, press the red button, enter code and press ok.

Set up video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ttLGbZI7k

Has anyone got it working from Ireland yet?

*mods, free to delete/edit post if not kosher to post code.

Got the menus up and working.
But when I try to play any program it just sits there.
I guess it knows I'm not in the UK
(On UPC in dublin btw)

EDIT: Just tried to enter the code again (it spells TEST btw )
Now it comes up as number not found.
Guess they've pulled it??

Sam Russell

I have connected the RJ45 cable and checked the network address which appears to be OK. Tuned to BBC1 as instructed and pressed the RED button. Menu comes up, but it does not include the 'iPlayer' item.

Do not know why. Software date is Nov 26th.

lafors

Sam Russell wrote: »

I have connected the RJ45 cable and checked the network address which appears to be OK. Tuned to BBC1 as instructed and pressed the RED button. Menu comes up, but it does not include the 'iPlayer' item.

Do not know why. Software date is Nov 26th.

You need to type the number in and press ok just after you press the red button, there is no menu item like in the video. The code brings(brought) you(me) straight to the iplayer interface.
The number doesn't seem to work anymore. Also reported not working on digitalspy.

Sam Russell

I cannot see any sign of iPlayer atall. No reaction to the magic number, and no menu item. Nothing.


What a disapointment!

TheDriver

I am curious as to whether it will work here ultimately but saw someone comment over on DS as to what miracle people expect as its like a PVR idea but not as good and most people could get bored of it fairly quickly, especially if it will use up bandwidth and download limits

pH

iPlayer is currently available in 2 modes - the streaming stuff and a download service (which is higher quality and uses microsoft's DRM).

Is the freesat service streaming only, or can you download episodes to the hard disk to be played offline? If it's streaming only then that's pretty pants.

Also, I'm presuming that the freesat box won't allow you set-up a proxy (or VPN), you're going to need some form of transparent proxy on your network to route freesat access via a UK proxy - anyone got something like that setup?

evilivor

lafors wrote: »

You need to type the number in and press ok just after you press the red button, there is no menu item like in the video. The code brings(brought) you(me) straight to the iplayer interface.
The number doesn't seem to work anymore. Also reported not working on digitalspy.

From DS

Originally Posted by BBCi Tech Team View Post
It just about survived

The logs haven't been scoured properly, although we did notice some attempts to use it from France and Germany - afraid the video will only play in the UK as with all other versions of BBC iPlayer.

eddiem10

My free VPN has stopped working. Anyone got any others they could recommend please?

Ponster

eddiem10 wrote: »

My free VPN has stopped working. Anyone got any others they could recommend please?

FreeVPN stopped it's UK service due to someone downloading 1Tb of data via the vpn.

I don't think there are any other free services out there.

eth0_

eddiem10 wrote: »

My free VPN has stopped working. Anyone got any others they could recommend please?

Use Tor. It's free works well. I've been using it for about 2 months now.

daphilp

eth0_ wrote: »

Use Tor. It's free works well. I've been using it for about 2 months now.

I have tried Tor, Hotspot shield and free Vpn and all give me the "Not availab;e outside UK" message, Free VPN did work once, but not since, any suggestions?
dave

icdg

Guys, I'm closing this thread as it has turned into a thread on how to access geoblocked content. We don't allow discussing how to crack systems here.

If those who have LEGITIMATE access to BBC iPlayer (our Northern Ireland viewers, for instance) want to discuss it they can set up a new thread.