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What is the iPlayer?

The iPlayer (IMP as a test system) allows you to watch BBC television programmes after they have been broadcast.

The iPlayer (IMP as a test system) allows you to watch BBC tele
Published on by on UK Free TV

The oddly-named BBC IMP (Interactive Media Player) is a test system designed to allow you to watch BBC television programmes and listen to BBC radio programmes after they have been broadcast.

When you run the program, you see a five-tabbed display. The first, called home highlights the new and favourite content.



The second tab, Guide, allows you to search the listing for programmes to watch. This is really a Microsoft Internet Explorer window. From here you can find all the programmes that the iMP can deliver to you.



A third tab, Search, allows you to use free-form text searches (Google-style) to search for programmes to download.



Tab four, My Downloads, provide the facility for reviewing, cancelling, deleting or watching the programmes you have downloaded:



The content has been specially modified for IMP. This includes on-screen branding:



And also a DOG in the corner of each program. You can also use a special hidden monitor screen to monitor downloads and uploads your computer is making.







Your comments: most recent posts are at the bottom


Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Briantist
Monday 10 April 2006 7:19PM
According to the MediaGuardian "The new iMP service will now be the subject of an Ofcom market impact analysis that is likely to be completed by the end of this year."
Theodore
Friday 17 November 2006 5:55PM
Could this be precieved as a way of the the BBC doing what they do best and doing it well? Thank goodness for the opportunity as there are not many of them. Let eveyone know when things develop further. Until then keep tuned in.

Theodore.
Tony B
Thursday 1 February 2007 5:48AM
Will it be possible to download or view programmes whilst away from the UK?
Like many thousands who travel frequently, it would be beneficial to use iPlayer anywhere in the world.
Sean Hodges
Thursday 1 February 2007 8:54AM
The world wants to know, will you be supporting Linux and Mac? Will we be able to use this technology if we don't buy into Microsoft products, in particular, Microsoft Windows?
Briantist
Thursday 1 February 2007 12:42PM
Sean Hodges: Yes, the BBC Trust announced that yesterday. www.ukfree.tv link icon BBC Trust approves platform-agnostic iPlayer | ukfree.tv - get free UK television
Briantist
Thursday 1 February 2007 12:47PM
Tony B: The trail version allowed the programmes to be copied onto a Portable Media Center for viewing, but the DRM will mean that you won't be allowed to view the programmes anywhere Auntie doesn't want you to.
Dez
Friday 9 March 2007 5:06AM
Can I watch this outside the UK without paying!
DP
Friday 27 April 2007 3:09PM
For the BBC--and the rest of the world--try the Radeo Internet Player. PCMS Windows and Mac OS; IE, Firefox, and Safari browsers; Windows Media, Real, and QuickTime players. It is available now--free and easy.

For BBC offerings easily from one place--including their Radio Player, News Player, Sport Player, Weather Player, Podcasts, and World Service (including foreign languages) and TV Clips, Film Network, and Collective--click the Search tab and open The BBC at the bottom of the list. This--perhaps most importantly the personalization--is much more than the BBC intends with their iPlayer.

For a demo of advanced version, including Playlists and set only with BBC streams, Login: MyBBC (with no password required).

And, a companion mobile version is in beta.

The Radeo Internet Player
More than 10,000 Stations, 20,000 Shows, and 800,000 Episodes--
Broadcasts, Webcasts, and Podcasts--Audio and Video.
Wherever You Are, Wherever They Are, and Whatever They Are.
Easy to Play Your Favorites, Find More, and Share Them. www.radeo.net link icon  Radeo
Enerst
Thursday 12 July 2007 3:15PM
what do you thing about BBC iPlayer?

thanks
holly
Thursday 12 July 2007 4:50PM
will i be able to watch classic episodes of eastenders from years ago or just recent episodes?
Briantist
Friday 13 July 2007 3:23PM
holly: only epsiodes in the last few weeks.
Redoubt
Sunday 29 July 2007 3:23AM
Sifg... after signing up at the BBC for this item, I tehn took the time to read the page a little closer. If you are not 'based in the UK' you are simply out of luck. In my case, out of luck and stuck with the likes of the trash presented on the US networks...

You like... uh, wrasslin? How about NASCAR? I'll trade you for a few hours of Gordon Ramsay or Doc Who...
George Edwards
Saturday 11 August 2007 3:44PM
As a UK taxpayer, and UK householder, (that is I pay for the BBC), working abroad a lot, I find the blanket ban on non UK users apalling. How dare they? Why not ask for our UK tv licencve number, and let us watch? Muddleed thinking again, caused by the absurd licence fee.
Briantist
Saturday 11 August 2007 10:12PM
George Edwards: Good point.
Jim
Sunday 30 September 2007 6:39PM
By the BBC's own admission, 4.4 million people are still unable to use iPlayer.

Why?

Choosing anything but Windows XP as their OS.

Although they promise to support Vista shortly, they offer no time frame for Mac or Linux, and this really isn't good enough.

I thought BBC was all about equal opportunities?
Briantist
Sunday 30 September 2007 6:58PM
Jim: Tell me about it! See backstage.bbc.co.uk :: Backstage Blog :: BBC Backstage podcast: DRM and the BBC
Mark
Wednesday 7 November 2007 2:44AM
Please can you respond to Tony B (1st Feb 207) as many exPats and UK overseas workers would realy apprecaite some culture!
Can we subscribe?
Briantist
Wednesday 7 November 2007 6:34AM
Mark: The iPlayer is for use within the UK by Licence Fee payers.
Robert Thomson
Thursday 17 January 2008 1:19AM Mauchline
What do the letters e/w stand for ,my nearest transmitter is Darvel so why does freeview installation show Blackhill next to the few channels I can actually see.
Thanks Rab
DMT
Monday 14 April 2008 4:35PM
Why as a fully paid up licence payer am i unable to watch the BBc on iplayer when i am overseas. I have found this problem with the ITV.com and channel 4 sites also. I have registered with these sites and was expecting to be able to watch british tv when i am travelling. I find it very annoying that noone from the BBC, ITV or channel 4 will give a sound reason.

DMT
Briantist
Monday 14 April 2008 5:58PM
DMT: Because the BBC says so. You also have to suffer those damn adverts on news.bbc.co.uk as well. The reason is that they claim they do nothe rights. I would try joining UKNova, see Home - UKNova
DMT
Monday 14 April 2008 8:42PM
I am in europe on business and was looking forward to watching the british channels live, surely the bbc itv and others could find a way that once you were registered and confirmed as a british resident you should be able to watch the channlels. i am sure i am not alone in this thought
DMT
Briantist
Tuesday 15 April 2008 5:45AM
DMT: Aside from BBC three and BBC News 24, and (sometimes) the ITV channels, you cannnot watch the channels live in the UK, either! You can watch some channels live on www.livestation.com link icon 
Livestation | Interactive live TV on your computer that works! | Download the free Livestation player
 though.
Lynn
Thursday 20 November 2008 9:17PM
how can I watch UK TV in America/Caribbean
Mark Aberfan Aerials
Friday 21 November 2008 9:26AM
Hi Lynn, you can subscribe to bbc america or buy & use a slingbox. Mark Aberfan Aerials
FOXYFOXY
Thursday 5 February 2009 6:00AM
Thank you for those great informations. Didn't know that BBC is also supporting such a great support.

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