iPlayer Downloads Enabled On Media Players

Author Hugo Jobling
Published 9th Oct 2008
iPlayer Downloads Enabled On Media Players
Discuss this article  9 comments    Email this to a friend  Email this to a friend TrustedReviews NewslettersTrustedReviews Newsletters

I've long promoted the BBC's iPlayer as a fantastic example of how digital distribution should work, notwithstanding the few flaws Riyad espoused recently. With the rollout of downloads for portable media players, the BBC just added yet another feather to the iPlayer's cap.


Similar to PC downloads, the media player files are protected with DRM, so only certain players can play them. The BBC has tested using the Sony Walkman E and S series, Archos 605 WIFI and Internet Media Tablet, Philips GoGear 52xx series, Samsung YP-P2 and YP-Q1 and the Nokia N96. However, there should be no reason why any media player compatible with Window's DRM can't play downloaded files.

For the interested, these files are encoded in 320 x 180, WMV with 500kb/s video and 128kb/s audio. Newly released programs are already being encoded in this format. While not explicitly stated in the announcement, it seems reasonable to assume that PMP files will also have restricted playback time.

Link
BBC Internet Blog.

P.S. Incidentally, I highly recommend everyone checks out Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul on the radio side of the iPlayer. That concludes today's broadcast.

Discuss this article  9 comments
Email this article to a friend Email this to a friend


 

Related Articles

Newsletters

Register to receive the latest Reviews and News Headlines directly to your Inbox every day, and enter our regular competitions. More Info.

Your Name


Email Address


Latest 4 of 9 Comments

Have your say: Leave a comment below about this article.

Comment ravmania said on 9th October 2008

can anyone confirm if this works on windows mobile?

Comment AudioBear said on 10th October 2008

Thanks Hugo, don't suppose you have the first part of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul, which I managed to miss?

Comment Hugo said on 10th October 2008

I don't, sorry. And even if I did I couldn't supply it :)

Comment Frank said on 10th October 2008

It may be a measure of the popularity of the TR site, I just tried to play again a Radio 3 music prog via iplayer and all I could get was a message to the effect of, "Doesn�... more

See all 9 comments on this article.

Add Comment Add your comment

You must be logged in to comment. Login or register here.