BBC iPlayer Welcomes Linux (and Macs) 259
h4rm0ny writes "After previously limiting their iPlayer to only the Windows platform (as we discussed earlier here and here), the BBC's content is now available to UK-based users of Linux and Mac OS X. From their site: 'From today we are pleased to announce that streaming is now available on BBC iPlayer. This means that Windows, Mac and Linux users can stream programs on iPlayer as long as their computer has the latest version of Flash. Another change is that you do not have to register or sign in any more to download programs ...' It seems that the BBC have listened to people who petitioned them for broader support and an open format. Well, Flash isn't exactly open, but its a lot more ubiquitous than Windows Media and Real Player formats."
rippage (Score:5, Interesting)
mplayer -dumpstream -dumpfile $outfile.ra $thestream
rip the stream like what the Real stream can be ripped? (Yes I'm talking radio, it's Radio Four Boy here and without being able to rip I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue [wikipedia.org], as I've been doing for the last few years, having migrated from the Mark II Compact Cassette Tape that worked so well throughout the 80s and 90s, life ain't gonna be worth living.) Samantha agrees - the wow and flutter of older technology is a real turn-off, although she does enjoy flicking through some favourite flash videos.
Re:Countdown to mplayer support starts now... (Score:3, Interesting)
Good news (Score:3, Interesting)
Flash will suit me fine. Almost every device I have can play it in some form (except the iphone, but hopefully that's coming one day).
Not good enough. (Score:5, Interesting)
Just one reason amongst many why I hope this is not the end of the BBC's plan to open up the iPlayer content to other platforms, although I expect that it probably is.
Uk only (Score:3, Interesting)
"Can I download programmes from outside the UK?
The BBC uses Geo-IP technology to identify where your 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.
Why do I need to be in the UK to use BBC iPlayer?
Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer is only available to users in the UK. However, BBC Worldwide is working on an international version, which we will make available as soon as possible."
Re:Well, that's great... (Score:3, Interesting)
theora (not recommended. not ready yet)
x.263
x.264
whatever realplayer uses.
For audio:
vorbis (recommended. free, open, patent license is free for all)
mp3 (almost everybody has it on their computers already. I prefer vorbis over mp3, but mp3 over flash)
flac (much too big for downloads. just saying it is there)
aac
The real problem is DRM. The BBC does not want you to be able to keep the file on your computer. If they would forgo that requirement, then they could just use AV files, rather than using an intentionally limiting solution.
Re:Uk only (Score:3, Interesting)
BBC is full of fail: German ZDF does better. (Score:3, Interesting)
[1] http://mediathek.zdf.de/ [mediathek.zdf.de]