BBC Trial of TV Show Download Service 257
Little Hamster writes "Five thousand households with broadband access has been selected for a trial of the BBC's new interactive Media Player. The trial will run from September to December, and users can 'time shift' and download selected BBC TV shows, radio programmes, regional programming and feature films. After seven days, the content will be automatically deleted from the user's computers. BBC will use this trial to iron out any outstanding rights issues and resolve teething difficulties with the technology ahead of a full launch next year." The BBC Press Office has a release about this as well.
TiVo? (Score:1, Insightful)
Am I missing something?
Am I missing something? (Score:3, Insightful)
This ceratinly doesn't need to happen on a video recording.
Well (Score:3, Insightful)
Even if its a custom media player, how long is it going to take for someone to hack it up?
From the BBC Press release (Score:4, Insightful)
Anyone wanna bet it'll be Windows only.
Guess i'll probably end up sticking to bittorrent.
Re:TiVo? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:TiVo? (Score:4, Insightful)
TiVo I believe you can only record shows that were on and watch them later, or am I missing something?
BBC and DRM (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:TiVo? (Score:3, Insightful)
Watch programs that are several years old, whenever you want, without having to record them. Watch three or more programs which all originally ran at the same time. Set up playlists of arbitrary programs, i.e. 'show me season two of Buffy'.
This is all assuming the BBC continues to try and develop it's offerings. I sure hope they do.
Re:broadcasters, telecom and hardware manufacturer (Score:3, Insightful)
Audience, no.
Re:Am I missing something? (Score:5, Insightful)
I don't think it's that simple. For one, I believe that BBC doesn't own all the shows they broadcast. (Although they do own quite a few.) As such, they are licensed to provide public distribution of the shows, but are not necessary able to just give them away. This would seem to be backed by the article's mention of Hollywood and independent studios.
In addition, it also mentions that the acting unions are "acting up"^H^H balking at the idea of Internet distribution. They don't give any details, but my guess is that actors are concerned that rampant piracy would result in lower wages and fewer acting jobs. It's probably pretty hard to convince them that if given a good for-pay alternative, the majority of people will use the convenient pay service. (The only reason why Napster ever appeared was that the music industry failed to respond to market pressures. What did they THINK was going to happen?)
Quit Complaining - And Read My Journal ;) (Score:5, Insightful)
If you don't want the DRM or ads, get a Tivo or TV capture card and skip the commercials or edit them out.
Re:Am I missing something? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Am I missing something? (Score:3, Insightful)
The system uses a P2P network to distribute the shows. By forcing the erasure of old shows, they ensure that only the latest shows are being shared, resulting in more efficient use of bandwidth, and faster downloads.
Having said that, it's probably just because they can.
Re:Automatically deleted? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:TiVo? (Score:3, Insightful)
It is MY computer (Score:3, Insightful)
It is MY computer and it should only delete something when I tell it to. No one else. It should not police me. It should not tell me what to do, I should tell it what to do. If I break the law using my computer, then I should be held responsible, but I should NOT be limited if I choose to use the computer in a fashion that some short sited company didn't plan on.
Re:TiVo? (Score:2, Insightful)
the production of the programs on bbc tv is written, produced, lit, filmed, acted directed etc etc. by professionals towards whom you pay your contribution, which allows you to view THEIR WORK without adverts clogging up the airtime and invading your head.
it's not like buying a book, or another physical product. the bbc provides information: without selling things to you; without propoganda ("we are not Britain, we are the BBC" -news editor during Falklands conflict, during which the BBC got right up Thatcher's nose); and (largely) without dumbed down celebrity claptrap reality tv (a couple of exceptions) and a license fee is a contribution towards "the most important cultural institution in Britain and, arguably, the World" (ref. Modern British History, M. Garnett and R. Weight ISBN 1-844-13104-1), it is NOT a product you own, and in this era of incessant Hollywood propoganda, commercial corporate power and tabloid newspapers it is not just a service in Britain, it is vital. £120 is cheap.
and no i don't work for them.
Re:UK has a yearly TV "tax" (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:Am I missing something? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:TiVo? (Score:3, Insightful)
another incorrect use of "content" (Score:2, Insightful)
No, after seven days the show will be deleted. Or the audio and/or video will be deleted. The content, if any, will not be deleted any more than the format, presentation, or volume.
Re:UK has a yearly TV "tax" (Score:2, Insightful)
Fine, if it was a voluntary subscription, which is isn't. Every program the BBC makes ends up on satellite, for which you pay a subscription.
Don't pretend that the BBC don't charge the satellite providers for the content either.
I think the BBC should be provided for like all the rest, i.e. they get their money from people who choose to subscribe. Using the government to force people to support a commercial service is too much.
Re:TiVo? (Score:3, Insightful)