New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Just got next weeks Radio Times. There's a bit in there that mentions that Virgins customers received a new version of iPlayer last week (i.e. this week) . Apparently its supposed to have 900 instead of 600 hours content and include radio. Be good if it's true, just checked mine and nothing's changed.

Currently I get a better version of iPlayer via my Sony BR player (inc. Films, radio), which is ironic as that service is free where as the inferior Virgin version I'm paying for !

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

TiVo only ;)

also Catch Up TV is included as a free service as it's also available on M pack ;)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

It implies all Virgin customers and also says 'early adopters of Tivo also have access'.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

It's incorrect then, as it's only available on TiVo.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I can see a 'Dear Radio Times' letter coming....

It is poor that the full iPlayer service isn't being given to paying customers. Maybe they are trying to sell it as a benefit of TIVO, which is a bit of a con as the full iPlayer can be got free elsewhere. The films on iPlayer I watch a lot via my Sony BR, I can certainly see a commercial reason why Virgin are blocking access to them.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

As someone who's getting Tivo I'm well pleased with this.

DF- Do you know whether the streams through the iplayer app on Tivo will be the same quality (ie very good) as they currently are through the VM front end? And same bit rate for HD for example...

Also, are you aware of any plans to re-integrate iplayer into the "Past" EPG? That would be a killer feature for me.

Cheers

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

They aren't blocking them. iPlayer content is down to the BBC not Virgin.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I believe you ;)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

They are of a good quality and there is more HD, plus we have radio progs now too :)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Delighted about the radio shows on the i player on Tivo! Mega!!

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Yes, very good but you can get all that for free as mentioned. Its being introduced into Freeview boxes and is on other digiboxes/BR players which is going to make the non-TIVO Virgin boxes look 'silly'. No need to pay for Virgin/TIVO for iPlayer, you've already paid for it as part of your TV license.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Freeview can only have one stream of extra sport so it's hardly going to have much of the i-player.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

You never pay for iPlayer on Virgin, it's part of all subscriptions and accessable on all STBs

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

appreciate the reply but I was after technical details on whether the streams from the TiVo service app are comparable to the VM portal on V+.

I'm happy that there will be more HD content but I just hope it isnt at the expense of stream quality.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Yes, but in order to get the full version of iPlayer on Virgin at the moment you have to pay for TIVO. So in effect you need to pay.

If the full version is on TIVO no reason why it shouldn't be on all boxes if there is no cost involved. (unless there is, as I suspect, a commercial reason).

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

The current STBs are not technically advanced enough to run the full iPlayer app

The reason there is more content available is that the TiVo app is pulling it from the BBC's online store for iPlayer via the built in cable broadband connection, rather than the content the BBC provide Virgin to load onto their VoD servers for the existing platform.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

:dozey: That seemed blatently obvious and I am a technical nitwit.

Thanks guys at VM as ever......

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Seems virtually every other type of box, including Freeview is capable of it.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Might have something to do that the non-TiVo STBs are running on code that is parts over 10 years old.

BTW it's only internet connected Freeview STBs and TVs that can run iPlayer.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Er no it has just been pointed out that it is not.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Isn't this basically down to the fact that the Tivo boxes use Flash and the V+ boxes use DVB-C for iPlayer?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

That's part of it yes

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

So the 'Dr Digital' in the Radio Times is wrong again ! According to Dr D 'internet connected Freeview tv's and digiboxes can get Iplayer' (although he may be referring to newer boxes coming onto the market).

Don't know why I pay for the RT, it's told me a load of rubbish this week ....;)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

has anyone actually used iplayer on the TIVO as yet? I would love to hear from you in regards to comparisons between the app and the old V+ front end.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

The FREE service works excellently on my SONY BR player, giving HD content aswell. My V+ makes a useful footrest whilst viewing.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Yes he is. A Freeview STB from 2002 wouldn't be able to access iPlayer as it wouldn't have an internet connection

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Guess is like the sport red button. You can get five or six on VM and one on Freeview.............

---------- Post added at 14:57 ---------- Previous post was at 14:55 ----------

Just the sort of sarcasm this forum could do without lol

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

as good as if not better IMO.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Nope he's right internet connected boxes can the trouble is the V+ isn't internet connected. :)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Technically it is, all the BBC news interactive information is accessed via the internet by the box

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I'd like to just remind you that the BBC have shown they are willing to stop iPlayer being shown on services where they can see companies are making a profit from BBC services.

Why do you think iPlayer has never been made available on the Xbox?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I'm on Sky we'res my iplayer at least VM offer you Iplayer content on all boxes LOL.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Not sure whether it's complete about companies making a profit from BBC services in general, more about charging for access specifically for iPlayer content

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...efinitely.html

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Yep the BBC have been quite open about the fact it's not on Xbox because Microsoft wanted it to be behind the Gold membership pay wall.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Good, glad to hear it. In which case Virgin are sailing very close to the wind by only giving the full iPlayer to TIVO customers. I can feel a letter to the BBC on the the subject coming on, just in case they aren't aware . As mentioned next week's Radio Times seems to indicate they think its been made available to all Virgin's customers. I don't believe the excuse that the other boxes aren't up to it. It's only adding a bit more content, there seems to be unlimited capacity pay on demand programmes.....

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

VM give iplayer to all their customers though.

If you want to complain about not having the same content on non-Tivo boxes then you're right to write to the BBC, write to them and complain about THEM not loading the standard iplayer up with the same amount of content.

It is the BBC that dictates what's on the non-Tivo iplayer, not VM.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

The non TIVO boxes are not upto using iPlayer over broadband. Its also not a bit more content VM can only provide around a 1/3 of the broadband iPlayer, I assume there is a limited capacity in transcoding to MPEG2

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Ok thanks, I'm certainly going to write to them on the subject. Ben Mcr indicated earlier in the thread that it was that the boxes weren't up to it, now its the BBC's fault for not supplying it. The BBC certainly are supplying it or it wouldn't be on TIVO. I'll report back if I get a response from the Beeb.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Transcoding what to mpeg2?
SD is mpeg 2 anyway.

Even for HD there's no need to transcode any more than it already has been to broadcast it. They're already transcoding the channel on the fly, the videos for iplayer are simply taken from the video stream that's broadcast so everything is already in a format that's displayable by the box.

---------- Post added at 19:25 ---------- Previous post was at 19:22 ----------

The boxes aren't up to showing the online version of iplayer like the tivo boxes do.

The BBC aren't supplying the full iplayer content it to VM's VOD servers.

Tivo takes it from the same source as the BBC's online player, NOT from VM's VOD servers, hence the difference in content available, one is taking it from VM's VOD servers, the other from online, in both cases it's the BBC that dictate what is available. VM are offering everything the BBC gives them, that the BBC aren't delivering the full catch up service to VM's VOD servers IS NOT VM's fault.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

But virgin don't manage the BBC content available on On Demand. The BBC does.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

OK, so its either the BBC's fault for not supplying it or Virgin's for with holding it. I'm determined to find out which. Either way lets not pretend that its a case of 'the boxes aren't up to it'.

Sorry if I've 'gone off on one' but this has irritated me that Virgin are peddling this as part of their TIVO service when it should be free to every license payer.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

You've found out which it is, we've told you.
The BBC don't supply the full catch up server to VM's VOD servers.
The boxes aren't up to doing iplayer the Tivo way, which doesn't use VM's VOD servers which would allow them the full content. To get the full content on them now the BBC need to supply VM with it, which they currently don't.

VM aren't peddling it as part of the TIVO service. It's an incidental benefit.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Basically the TIVO boxes are plugging into the internet service hence the extra content, the internet service has always had far more content than VM's service for whatever reason (probably space). Nothing dodgy at all, it's like VM supplying selected YouTube content on older boxes but TIVO having full net access and therefore can support the full service, no VM storage or server utilisation necessary since it's just a glorified browser in the shape of an app/widget/gadget or whatever TIVO calls its plugins.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Which presumably also means TiVo catch-up is not affeced by the "stuttering pictures" bug? Me sees another reason for VM to quietly forget about this known-issue and push TiVo :-(

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Keep your old box then.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

You miss the point jameseh..

There has been a fault since before December last year affecting BBC iPlayer programs on VM Catch-Up. If TiVo VOD uses a different platform than the standard box, I'm suggesting that this would give VM a rather convenient excuse to let issues such as this, fester - while quietly making sure faults with TiVo are fixed.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

The online full TIVO Iplayer may have more content but the PQ is way worse than the HD BBC content on V+

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Looks great to me, wasn't expecting to look so good (iPlayer HD).

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I do believe that the HD quality is the same or even better than the V+ box, Anyway how are you able to compare as you are a SKY TV customer ( sorry you have TV M ):confused:

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Same here, Sd looks about the same, it's not great on ether box!

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I definitely find it a lot softer, I did say on nother thread that I work with HD material everyday so I may be more critical but if it's the same feed as your PC draws and the same rate then the bit rate simply isn't good enough to fill a 40 inch sreen.
When my iPhone conects with the iPlayer, the servers know that it's a phone and sends the appropriate version at the appropriate bitrate, surely it wouldn't be too hard for the BBC to do something similar for Tivo, a specific version

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

that would mean the BBC would have to invest in yet another real time transcode of the service. They already do about 5 versions at great expense.

The only hope is for the BBC to increase the bit rate of their web FLV and direct feed versions. From the currently quite low 1500 (SD) and 3200kbps (HD) to something more suitable for large screens.

Vm dont really have a say on that. They could however make current BBC VOD content available to Tivo users as it is with V+ users.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I've used iPlayer on both versions of the V+ box and never faced a problem or picture glitch once. And as its been said before its too costly to give everyone TiVo so I imagine the old boxes will have to be catered for the remaining 5+ years of their lives.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Virgin have already said they plan to get everyone on TiVo over the next few years

---------- Post added at 10:59 ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 ----------

I would assume Virgin don't have a say in that either. How the BBC's content is accessed is surely down to the BBC

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I meant the content that is currently available to non-tivo owners. This is still being provided by the BBC via the VM VOD servers as well as the content for the app for tivo oweners.

Vm could allow Tivo users access to this legacy system, but they choose not to, favouring the web app. That is under their control.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Only from a technology point of view.

The BBC have full control over how their content is delivered. So if it's only via the App it will be the BBC's decision. Virgin can't override that

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

really? the BBC have that much say? I can see the sense in offering either 1 or the other, but nothing to say that Vm couldn't have stuck with the VM provided iplayer content or allow tivo users access to it as an alternative to the web app.

It just happens that the Tivo is web enabled and therefore can access the iplayer web app. I assume that the other content providers are still coming through the Vm portal?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Surely it all depends on what the contract says. If Virgin allowed the BBC to have a full control over how and when services will be delivered then yes, Virgin are at the mercy of the BBC.

If Virgin insisted that the content must be delivered to the VM servers before going to to the final customers and it must be a X quality then Virgin retain a certain level of quality control for a product they are selling to the customer.

This must be putting massive pressure on BBC servers (especially considering the rapid deployment of the iPlayer) if all content is coming centrally - would have thought it would have been in the BBCs interest to send a single TV show into the Virgin network for Virgin to then pass on rather than the BBC sending out the TV show for every customer.

Is this the iPlayer for Tivo http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/bigscreen/ ?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Pretty much yes, because that's what the BBC want - everyone to access the same experience.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

this interface streams at an even lower quality than the standard web interface! 768kbps instead of 1500kbps for normal windowed SD content on the standard web interface .

Tell me this isn't what the tivo is pointed at?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I think that's because BigScreen was originally aimed at the Wii which struggles with the higher bitrate.

TiVo is using a visually similar implementation, but it is written completely in Flash. So I wouldn't automatically assume the video bitrates are identical. In fact, i'd assume the Flash version will use the best encoding the BBC make available elsewhere, as it's brand new (VM are the first user of it I think I've seen people say).

The same app is being made available to Popcorn Hour media streamers apparently, and no doubt other embedded-flash enables devices soon.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

thanks, that makes sense. I would love to know what bit rate the tivo app actually streams at. Just techy curiosity.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Tivo now been in 9 hours and still iplayer will not load I either get a black screen or the logo and thats it .Phoned for help and was told switch off and back on but every time I do it freezes when iplayer tries to load :mad:

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Sorry folks, it's a Monday afternoon and I'm going to be lazy. - so not going to read every entry.

There used to be seven pages of Catch Up on BBC I-player (for series catch up) now I have one entry. If I pay the £149.00 will the TIVO box bring back all this content?

I see some reference to TIVO being able to carry a lot more but I wasn't expecting all the content to disappear from my box.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

There is a dedicated I-Player APP on the TIVO box and you do get a lot more content on there.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

The BBC I-player is now in the apps department and on your BBC One red button on your tivo and now includes radio as well.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Cheers - but is this not a case of forcing customers down a particular route....

Surely you shouldn't lose existing services by the introduction of TIVO. I'm a VIP customer with additional boxes and full Sky HD packages on each box paying £112 to £130 a month (dependent how many on demand films I watch).

I did see in the bit of the thread that I did read that it's not Virgin choice what BBC supply for On-Demand but if it was there pre TIVO I would expect it post TIVO and new content to be the selling point - not as it appears to have happened "if you want to continue to receiving this service fork out £149"

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

If I am not mistaken DF has stated that there is a problem with the OD stuff so that could be the problem?. I do not think that it is down to TIVO. Just my thoughts.

Sure someone will be along to say what is happening with the OD stuff?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Thanks, it would be an interesting comparison point.

Not for me (honest) if the wife liked a drama/series on BBC she tended to stop watching immediately if it was On-Demand and then start working through the shows.

If there is a wider problem - I'll evaluate TIVO another today ;p

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

If you read this they are trying to get it in to all the catch up menu. This is taken from the VM TIVO community forum.

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...es/td-p/422139

Not sure if this means for the normal boxes?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

There has been no change to iPlayer on the V boxes.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

BenMcr - can you advise as to why then I only have one cbeebies series catch up.

If it is relevant as the community page indicates I'm on the Uddingston Head End.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Could be a local fault. Anyone else in Uddingston affected?

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

I`ve noticed the BBC i-player seems to be better on freesat. It seems to have more program choice and updates quicker (i.e Eastenders on before it`s on virgin).

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

iPlayer on TiVo will have the same content as the Freesat one

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Only if your Regional Head End hasn't removed all the content;)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

iPlayer content on TiVo isn't hosted on the Headend

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

So why on the Virgin Media Forum is everyone highlighting missing BBC content. The impression I got on this thread that it was not solely non TIVO and they are suggesting Regional issues

You said on earlier post it was the same (Apologies if I picked you up wrong) but when I have no Series Catch Up and very, very limited On Demand Service you can see why it suggests some form of conspiracy - upgrade to TIVO or lose out - as suggested earlier)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

You have misunderstood

What I was saying is that Virgin have not altered the VoD iPlayer service. It works in the same way that it did before, and if content is missing then it's a fault. And by missing I mean showing up on the Catch Up listings here http://tv.virginmedia.com/vtvapp/vod.do?demand=cup but not on the STB. Remember iPlayer on VoD does sometimes have 'missing' content compared with the online version due to rights issues and/or BBC content choices.

iPlayer on TiVo picks up the content from the web based iPlayer service, so will (because the BBC make it so) have more content available to it.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

The iPlayer app on Tivo is infinitely better than the VoD option on the other boxes, IMO. Hopefully it will eventually be integrated into the backward EPG.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

That's not true at all. You are part of a fault, not a planned upgrade programme to TiVo.

Fault ticket is 1589691

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Yep much better, one of the best things about it is the fact that most (if not all) pre-recorded content appears immediately after the program has finished!

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

That is a huge bonus. With my V+ it had been known for me to hook my laptop up to the TV to watch something I had just missed on the BBC.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Yep used to have to do that with my PS3.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

To be fair BBC content is now appearing on CatchUp iPlayer within an hour of the show finishing in most cases.

If they can only fix the stuttering pictures then it'll be a result all-round.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

It's been an hour or less for a while on OD iPlayer but not instant, I know that it my not seem much but for me it's massive, not having to go and keep checking to see if it's turned up yet, that's a real pain.

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Understood - TV Choice on Demand appears to have been fixed after 2-3 weeks but BBC I-Player Series Catch Up still gubbed.

Now got three programmes (two from BBC one and one from CBeebies)

---------- Post added at 14:11 ---------- Previous post was at 14:10 ----------

Thanks Ben - point I'm making is that all the Series Catch Up is gone and IPlayer doesn't appear to currently hold anything past 7 Days

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Which is a fault, just as it would have been a fault before TiVo launched ;)

Re: New BBC iPlayer ?
 

Series Catch Up now back on BBC iplayer