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BBC's iPlayer adds support for Firefox
The popular iPlayer is a service that acts as an on-demand viewer of BBC content. Similar in functionality to a web based TiVo. The BBC is very happy with this new development and proclaimed, "It's good because it's the first real non-Microsoft thing we've been able to do with the download iPlayer".
What's the hold up with bringing iPlayer to Mac and Linux? None other than our old favorite acronym DRM. BBC's iPlayer relies upon Windows Media Player and it's related DRM to enforce the BBC's viewing policies.
Are there any Brits who have used iPlayer? What are your thoughts on the service? Please share in the comments.
[via Afterdawn]
Comments
15
Subscribe to commentsStuart HallidayFeb 2nd 2008 4:58PM
Odd. I've been using Firefox for weeks with iPlayer...
It's a nice service, a little bit buggy as sometimes it refuses to play if you skip forward.
The lack of bookmarks is a sore point. some of us UK citzs. would like to stop watching and come back to the same point at a later time.
Philip MortonFeb 2nd 2008 5:05PM
Yeah, I've been using iPlayer with Firefox on my Mac for well over a month already. This is nothing new.
SamFeb 3rd 2008 12:43PM
I have been using the BBC IPlayer on linux, using firefox. On mac with Camino, Firefox and Safari, along with one or two random browsers on Linux, Mac, Windows and BSD since IPlayer was launched.
john poulterFeb 2nd 2008 5:27PM
this is the ability to download the programmes through firefox, not just streaming which is why you can use it on mac etc. iplayer is amazing in my opinion comes in very useful
maryannFeb 2nd 2008 5:31PM
lol, I think an old post just got added by mistake. I've also been using iPlayer in both Firefox and Safari on a Mac since Christmas. It doesn't like being in full screen mode for me, but I think that's the fault of my old iBook.
RazorDFeb 2nd 2008 5:53PM
Uhm. Definately late with this guys.
This change went live on 25th December (Christmas Day) 2007, and also includes mac and linux users - Anyone with a flash supported browser.
Mark DeanFeb 2nd 2008 5:55PM
I think the term n00bs would be approiate here (apart from John)
Basically with Windows you can download the full versions of the program on to your computer, with a decent resoloution. Before you could only download through Internet Explorer due to Active X, but now you can download through Firefox as well.
Get Windows you stupid mac fanboys, it just works with other systems.
keevesFeb 2nd 2008 6:04PM
One of the problems i have with the iplayer is that it does not make it at all that it uses p2p as a way of distributing programs... gave me quite a shock when i realised i was sending out 20Gb+ a day over my supposedly 2Gb limited uni account. I doubt many less computer literate people would ever realise this.
thehoodieFeb 2nd 2008 7:41PM
I really wish that more TV networks would do stuff like this. It would make the world a better place.
BouncinDaveFeb 2nd 2008 8:40PM
iPlayer has to be one of those great inventions. Especially for students.
We can now tune into our favourite shows from our laptops! :D
michaelFeb 2nd 2008 9:04PM
I've had this for quite awhile on IE7. :)
Dave RockFeb 3rd 2008 8:10AM
nothing new here been using bbc iplayer for a while now on firefox, haven't boverd downloading the download manager as it all streams at a ok bit rate, as its British licence payers that paying this service, i don't think it should be available to everyone for free, though ive herd they are planing or making a service for ad support for non British licence payers, bbc do have top class news and (ok entertainment) stop paying the soaps stars so much maybe we have more,better documentarys
TroyFeb 4th 2008 2:23AM
How can I use I player from Australia?? If there is no way when will it become readily available outside of the UK??
MarkyFeb 4th 2008 12:16PM
I've been using Opera to view the iPlayer on OpenSUSE and OSX Leopard since Xmas too. How is this story new?
ignovakovicMar 29th 2008 5:41AM
I have used iPlayer on a Mac for a while and I keep having many problems. Primarily it seems to short circuit my wireless connection from time to time and when it starts happening then it renders the service unusable as it keeps doing that every 10 minutes or so. I have BT broadband with the white home hub.
Then there are also problems with the streaming at certain points on the day when the traffic seems to build up.
I pay a hefty TV license every year and would like to be able to get more out of this service which to me is more important then the live telly as it gives me the freedom to watch programmes when it suits me. I just wish BBC would make lives of mac users easier even if it meant compromising their DRM security level - as long as the security is same as on TV channel (low) what is the point of making things more complicated in the digital world?????