VOD : Virgin Media Player

[Chad]

This is really one for our XL customers. I've had nothing but hassle recently trying to access Virgins online content. For some reason the site doesn't recognise that I'm an XL customer. For anyone that's really that interested in my ongoing issues with this you can check here:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...ia-player.html

Anyways lets cut to the chase. I was wondering if you ever use the service, had trouble using the service or possibly didn't know it even exsisted etc... Here's a link to the service if you don't already have it:

http://www.virginmedia.com/player/

[alwaysabear]

I have used it on occasions and I have not had any issues in accessing it. There is not much in the way of content on it, apart from catch up, so you are not missing much IMO.

[DaBoz]

I've harped on about it many times. There's no good reason presented to me yet that explains why this service can't be played on ALL smart phones and tablets in the UK. i.e. including Apple's iOS devices.

I'd be happy to have this limitation explained again.

The US doesn't have this issue - services such as Hulu and Boxee can target all smart phones and tablets with HTML5 web apps, (complying with the "no Flash please, we're Apple" stance.)

So is Virgin's "no VM Player on Apple devices" really a rights issue, or is it just technical, meaning that they don't want to implement changes to their web service?

Boz

[BenMcr]

Currently the Player is a web based service, so Flash is used as that has rights protection available within it, which HTML5 Video currently doesn't

As the iOS doesn't support Flash, then specific iOS apps would have to written to support Virgin Player on the iOS whilst protecting the rights of the content providers (which is what Hulu, Boxee and the BBC all do)

I'm sure this is something they are looking at, but the Flash version was a way to make it avaliable to the widest possible list of devices in one go

[BenJSmyth]

Indeed - I think the fault there is with Apple's no flash stance.

I'm not a fan of Apple in the least I'm afraid.

[DaBoz]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Currently the Player is a web based service, so Flash is used as that has rights protection available within it, which HTML5 Video currently doesn't

As the iOS doesn't support Flash, then specific iOS apps would have to written to support Virgin Player on the iOS whilst protecting the rights of the content providers (which is what Hulu, Boxee and the BBC all do)

I'm sure this is something they are looking at, but the Flash version was a way to make it avaliable to the widest possible list of devices in one go

Ok, so there's a phased approach to the VM Player service? We need to feed back VM that it'd be nice to see the roadmap for this. It would also please shareholders to see that this market place would be addressed (i.e. upgrade from Flash to HTML5 to reach the widest possible list of devices).

Also, with Slingbox, this (again, US) service goes one step further and allows content that has been recorded on your PVR to be accessible over the internet on an smartphone/tablet application. I'd like to see this on Vm's roadmap too.

It seems that the US have solved the rights and technology issues and brought the consumer a useful, competitive and powerful product (regardless of Apple and Adobe's petty bickering). It is incredibly frustrating to the customer (who doesn't give a crap about such issues) that the UK has not solved these problems yet.

The first provider who nails those issues and presents the solution, will surely own the market, and in doing so please shareholders.

Boz

---------- Post added at 13:30 ---------- Previous post was at 13:27 ----------

Originally Posted by BenJSmyth

Indeed - I think the fault there is with Apple's no flash stance.

I'm not a fan of Apple in the least I'm afraid.

As I said, the US have solved this issue, regardless of Apple/Adobe squabbling. That issue is now irrelevant. Ask the Yanks, it's not a problem when it comes to Boxee, Slingbox and Hulu (the big players in these combined services).

Boz

---------- Post added at 13:35 ---------- Previous post was at 13:30 ----------

Originally Posted by BenMcr

As the iOS doesn't support Flash, then specific iOS apps would have to written to support Virgin Player on the iOS whilst protecting the rights of the content providers (which is what Hulu, Boxee and the BBC all do)

Missed what you said there. From what I understand, Boxee provides their content over HTML5, not Flash. Hulu has been public about HTML5 not being ready for video.

[BenJSmyth]

Unfortunately it seems video on demand services in the UK are quite a way behind the States. Amazon.com's Instant Video service for example, looks brilliant. It's a shame this isn't available this side of the water too.

I think it's only a matter of time before we see services like that over here.

I should think that with the iphone being so popular companies will have to ensure their services work on it or the services just won't take off.

Or Apple could stop being so anal

[DaBoz]

Originally Posted by BenJSmyth

Unfortunately it seems video on demand services in the UK are quite a way behind the States. Amazon.com's Instant Video service for example, looks brilliant. It's a shame this isn't available this side of the water too.

I think it's only a matter of time before we see services like that over here.

I should think that with the iphone being so popular companies will have to ensure their services work on it or the services just won't take off.

Or Apple could stop being so anal

Agreed, it's pretty bloody pathetic really. Even the service you get on Flash or rightsless HTML5 devices is way behind.

And love or hate Apple and it's irritating ways, any media providers that ignore the unprecidented sales numbers for iPad and iPad 2 are simply moronic and need to be struck off technology investors' lists!

Boz