BBC iPlayer Goes HD

Author	Hugo Jobling
Published	17th Apr 2009

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It's been promised for a while but finally the BBC has announced the roll-out of high definition content on the iPlayer - for Windows, Linux and Macs.

Initially such programmes as Dragons' Den, Kerwhizz and Doctor Who will be making the jump to high definition. HD video is encoded at around 3.5Mbps at - oddly enough - a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels. It's not exactly Blu-ray, but it should be a definite improvement over the standard definition video currently available.

The iPlayer is also introducing dynamic stream switching. Based on the bandwidth available, the iPlayer will vary the quality of the streamed video. The streaming player will also be getting resizable windows - which have been in testing in the iPlayer Labs for a while.

HD video will also be made available for Virgin Media and the PlayStation 3 at some point, but there's no specific timescale.

Link:
BBC.

Latest 4 of 21 Comments

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Tony Walker said on 18th April 2009

Looks like the 720p version got pulled. If you use the "--streaminfo" switch on get_iplayer then it isn't listed; only the 1500kbps 832x468 file.

ffrankmccaffery said on 19th April 2009

It'd be yet more network congestion for the rest of us and further increases in broadband prices. Also whats the chance that those requesting this especially the dr who nerds ... more

ajh said on 19th April 2009

@Tony, or just use the --info option and it lists all the available modes there in a concise form.

Ben said on 20th April 2009

@ffrankmccaffery

Even if they are watching on a 'standard pc monitor' so what? As long you have a screen resolution of 1024*768 or above you can watch HD!

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