New BBC iPlayer ?

Mr K · 12-04-2011, 13:52

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 !

Digital Fanatic · 12-04-2011, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

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 !

TiVo only

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

Mr K · 12-04-2011, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

TiVo only

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

Digital Fanatic · 12-04-2011, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

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

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

Mr K · 12-04-2011, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

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

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.

mkdr25 · 12-04-2011, 14:11

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

BenMcr · 12-04-2011, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

I can certainly see a commercial reason why Virgin are blocking access to them.

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

Mr K · 12-04-2011, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

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

I believe you

Digital Fanatic · 12-04-2011, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkdr25

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

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

Doug P · 12-04-2011, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

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

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

Mr K · 12-04-2011, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

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

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.

Doug P · 12-04-2011, 14:59

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

BenMcr · 12-04-2011, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr K

No need to pay for Virgin/TIVO for iPlayer, you've already paid for it as part of your TV license.

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

mkdr25 · 12-04-2011, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

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

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.

Mr K · 12-04-2011, 15:10

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).