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BBC iPlayer on Freesat

It is easy to set up iPlayer on Freesat. Here is an explanatory video.

It is easy to set up iPlayer on Freesat. Here is an explanator
Published on by on UK Free TV
A beta release of BBC iPlayer on Freesat is available to Humax Freesat boxes in December.

BBC iPlayer will roll out across all existing Freesat HD TVs and boxes in the next few months including those bought since Freesat's launch in May 2008.







Your comments: most recent posts are at the bottom

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Alistair Gutcher
Tuesday 22 December 2009 9:45PM
No Iplayer HD then I take it? Can someone check?
Les Nicol
Wednesday 23 December 2009 7:50AM
Seems iPlayer is taking the stick re Home Plig distribution. - BT vision which has been around for a while follows the same process and indeed their connection kit works happily with the beta test when connected to a Humax receiver!
bob dunford
Saturday 26 December 2009 12:45PM
if freestat is free to all.can i pick oit up if i live abroad.in spain where i retired to when i was 66 years old.if not why not.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
Saturday 26 December 2009 6:27PM
Hi Bob,

You can receive freesat if you have a big enough dish.

Mark Aberfan Aerials
Graham
Thursday 31 December 2009 9:31AM
I have tried connecting my Humax HD Freesat box to my BT Broadband Router but there is no IPlayer in the list after pressing the Red Button.
Have also looked for a sofware update for the box with no success.
Any Ideas?
Pickles
Thursday 31 December 2009 12:10PM Mablethorpe
Try entering 5483 at the red button screen then press OK.
Works for me.
pipa
Thursday 31 December 2009 5:17PM Bristol
how do i tune in virgin 1 on my freesat
Hertsey
Sunday 3 January 2010 10:35AM
I have a Humax Freesat box.

Can you recommend any particular make of Home plug to use?
Julian Maples
Sunday 3 January 2010 9:31PM
21:30 This Sunday evening it was pausing every minute for 15 seonds to download some more
LutonFan
Sunday 3 January 2010 10:35PM
Pipa- Virgin1 is not available on Freesat.
Ken Underwood
Saturday 9 January 2010 3:52PM
Hertsey please do not use Homeplug,they are illegal and do not conform to UK regulations.
They will reduce your download speed and cause very bad interference to short wave radio users
Either use WiFi or hard wire.
Thanks
Ken
Hertsey
Sunday 10 January 2010 12:08PM
Many thanks for the tip Ken G3GBN
bminney
Sunday 10 January 2010 6:32PM
How on earth can Homeplugs be illegal when BBC and BT promote them? I understand some ham radio enthusiasts have complained about interference but then so does a microwave and other household devices.
Personally I think they are brilliant, easy to use and no extra cables. My wi fi is now redundant.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Sunday 10 January 2010 7:51PM
Well they are whether you like it or not. The BBC have issued a damming report on the problems that they cause only a shame that there sales guys do not communicate with there R&D guys.BT are trying to come across as squeaky clean but i can assure you they are hiding the true facts as why when a complaint is made they offer to hard wire the installation free of charge.
It is not only Radio Hams that are concerned about this as they not only cause problems to us but also to the Military/Aviation and the MOD.The company that put them on the market and had the CE mark put on them used a loop hole in the law and our stupid Government cannot see or does not want to see further than its nose.
The also cause broadband download speed to be reduced, stop cordless keyboards and headphones from working.
The problem is not just interference within the house that it is used in but radiates up to 500meters outside and gets re radiated from overhead telephone and power cables and in some areas can cause problems many streets away.
I could go on but please think again they might very well work OK but just think of the consequences that you could land your self in just check the law on using transmitting equipment without a licence,not a problem to buy but to use well you just read.
Thanks for reading i will leave the rest to you
Annie
Sunday 10 January 2010 8:14PM
By their nature PLT can never comply with the essenitial EU EMC Directives.

They can and do cause problems with interference.

BT ALWAYS remove any that they install when a complaint is made.
Their sales team push them as they are a good money spinner, their technical team know of their non compliance, hence the removals.

PLT radiate electromagnetin waves from yours or your neighbours household wiring.
Users are effectivly living in a radiating cage 24/7

Not Good
Andy
Sunday 10 January 2010 8:18PM
My neighbour got a pair of these cursed things for Christmas and I cannot believe just how strong the interference from them is. Even big broadcasters like BBC World Service, Nederland and Deutche Welle are almost inaudible through the whining racket from the Homeplugs. Luckily, my neighbour is very understanding and is looking for another solution. How on Earth these things got onto the market I don't know.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Sunday 10 January 2010 8:33PM
There is about to be a Judicial review made on the use of these items as Ofcom being the official regulator has turned a blind eye and will not regulate this problem, so it is felt that Ofcom is not fit for purpose. This is being carried out by the Radio Society of Great Britain.
robert welsh
Sunday 10 January 2010 9:21PM London
It's a pity that Humax have not made the USB port able to accept a wireless LAN adapter like the Samsung DVD system that is on the market. This would resolve the issue of the homeplugs.
Huw
Monday 11 January 2010 5:13PM
Apart from the probable illegality of and interference caused by PLT devices (Homeplug etc.) they also cost about £10 a year each to run. With a bit of DIY, cable and sockets, which would probably cost at lot less than a pair of PLTs, you can install a CAT 5 network that is faster and dosen't cost a penny to run.
Marco
Monday 11 January 2010 7:31PM
If a radio ham started interfering with a TV there would be all sorts of complaints.
But it is ok for PLT to interfere with radios hams.?

I don't think that is fair, especially when I see the drivel written by those that deem themselves to be experts on PLT.

They don't know their EMC from their elbows.

PLT is not necessary, it's just another gimmicky "must have" that the producers just know the sheep will go out and buy.
And then all these "experts" get themselves lead through the nose like more sheep because the manufacturers tell them "these things are good" and they believe them.
They are too stupid to realise that they are being manipulated to increase the profits of the manufacturers.

What is the term..."Greedy PLT"

So very very true.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Monday 11 January 2010 8:00PM
Just Like the "Kings New Clothes"
Thank you Marco.
peter
Tuesday 12 January 2010 6:34PM
Ken - Didn't realise the RSGB is doing a Judicial Review!
BBC report - http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/whp/whp-pdf-files/WHP099.pdf
Michael
Monday 18 January 2010 9:36AM
Just like to say managed to get BBC iPlayer on a Humax box OK using the extra code no problem.

Having then watched a couple of the shows using the highest quality they did not come near HD quality and are arguably worse quality than watching normally on FreeSat.

If I stream using iPlayer on a Laptop attached via HDMI cable to the television the HD quality is as good as the original programme as is a normal quality programme.

Does anyone know if the quality is going to be improved to be the same as the original broadcast in both normal and HD otherwise people will stick with the Laptop solution. It is certainly more convenient to receive via freeSat and so I hope the quality improvements will be made.
Ian
Saturday 23 January 2010 10:07PM
Argos have started selling these stupid things (home plugs) in the new catalogue
Ian
Saturday 23 January 2010 10:10PM
If I managed to get a SD freesat box with Ethernet port would I be able to get the iplayer feature on it?
Briantist
Sunday 24 January 2010 4:24PM
Ian: I think so, it's the port that you need. I'm sure I've seen a Freesat SD box with one once in Comet.
Briantist
Sunday 24 January 2010 4:26PM
Ian: Oh, that's great news.
Ian
Monday 25 January 2010 12:04AM
Why anyone would pay £150 for a home plug when you could run a lead for under £20 is beyond me.
GORDON
Monday 25 January 2010 2:06AM Bristol
5483 code worked for me connecting router to humax freesat with Ethernet cable thanks for the information now got BBC i player
Briantist
Monday 25 January 2010 7:01AM
Ian: Why people want all their private data transmitted to their neighbours defeats me.
Briantist
Monday 25 January 2010 7:02AM
GORDON: Glad to hear the code worked for you.
robert welsh
Monday 25 January 2010 7:26AM London
As I said above ... and sorry to repeat my self ... It's a pity that Humax have not made the USB port able to accept a wireless LAN adapter like the Samsung DVD system that is on the market. This would resolve the issue of using the homeplugs.
Is anyone able to contact Humax and ask them if this is in development?
Briantist
Monday 25 January 2010 7:36AM
robert welsh: Why? You can just use a wireless router.
mickey
Thursday 4 February 2010 7:40PM
What a lot of complete tosh some of these posts are!

Let us stop publishing misinformation - HomePlugs are NOT illegal.

Let us stop this mixing of information. HomePlug AV devices are NOT the same as the Comtrend adapters used by BT!!!!!!!
PLT for Broadband Access (to replace xDSL or Cable) is NOT the same as HomePlug home networking technology (which is what was concerning Military/Aviation and the MOD).

Anyone who has a WiFi router, or a Mobile Phone is living with a microwave transmitter with far higher power radiation.

They might cost £10/pa to run if you have a pair on 24/7 and they are always passing data - if not, they go into standby mode and will use 25% of that.

The data will not pass to the neighbours (unlike WiFi) because a) there will most likely be too much attenuation in the cable for HomePlug, but if there wasn't they are fully encrypted to 128 bit AES as standard.

The HomePlug AV technology is endorsed by the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) the largest organisation for Radio Amateurs, the HomePlug Alliance worked closely with radio amateurs to ensure compliance. It has independent laboratories test compliance, before products can carry the HomePlug logo.
HomePlug AV devices can and do comply to EMC Class B standards, tested in European Labs (not dodgy Asian certification!).

The Comtrend/DS2 adapters are certainly causing problems - but they are NOT the same technology. The DS2 chipset was originally designed for powerline access - ie in place of Broadband Cable or xDSL, it has a lot of issues when used for home networking - completely unlike HomePlug which was designed from the start for home networking - and the Comtrend adapters do emit a horrendous 24/7 1k howl. Some of them have had their firmware settings changed, removing notches to increase performance (impossible with HomePlug) which makes the situation worse. I am 100% behind the idea that these non compliant Comtrend products should be removed.

But HomePlug AV compliant products do not have these issues, the Radio Amateur bands are notched out and the notches are by far much deeper than the Comtrend/DS2 and IMPOSSIBLE for an end user to change.
The BBC would hardly allow the endorsement of HomePlug if they had the problems claimed (though it should be noted that it may be possible to find a BBC engineer who will complain - since I remember that they had a campaign to outlaw ADSL..!!!).

Comtrend/DS2 is hardly present elsewhere in Europe - and in places such as France where there are close to 10M pairs of HomePlugs in use, there is not the same campaign by Radio Amateurs. It is because HomePlug AV technology is NOT THE SAME AS USED IN COMTREND BT ADAPTERS..!
mickey
Friday 5 February 2010 12:17PM
Interesting to note that Ken Underwood and 2 colleagues met with OFCOM to complain about Powerline Transmission devices.

His colleague stated explained the difference between Comtrend/DS2 (UPA) and HomePlug (HPA) devices to OFCOM:

"We then explained that the UPA type was
by far the worst for HF radio interference as it sends out a 1K scream 24/7 which was very obtrusive and impossible to work around.

While the HPA types were still obtrusive and we maintain outside of compliance, they were by and large less annoying as they only send when being used to transfer data, apart from a regular click pop noise when in standby."

Clearly, he understands the difference between HomePlug and COMTREND/DS2 BT adapters.

Comtrend devices do NOT have the same level of notching of Amateur Radio bands as HomePlug.

And at last report OFCOM have received 143 complaints against 750k installations, all from Radio Amateurs (There are many other users of the HF Band including long range aeronautical and oceanic communications, the Ministry of Defence and international broadcasters. Ofcom has not received complaints of interference to these services). I am sure that these all related to Comtrend devices and NOT to HomePlug.

Clearly, if you can use an Ethernet cable it's the best solution - but that is what Freesat have said! If you can't use an Ethernet cable, HomePlugs are a very good, very simple, solution - completely legal and not "just another gimmicky must have".
John
Friday 5 February 2010 2:20PM
Hi I have tried 5438, it just says connecting... how do i get my BUSH Freesat HD box to do the update that im sure it must need to get this up and running
Rob Forrester
Friday 5 February 2010 6:39PM
Homeplug, Comtrend units, Acme buzzblock PLT devices, whatever they're called, they work in the same way: they chuck wideband RF into the mains, and it radiates into free space for a considerable distance all around, as RF is prone to doing. That's illegal. In the simplest to understand in layman's terms relevant EMC law, it states clearly that no device shall prevent another from operating as intended. Since homeplugs wipe out radio reception over a 30 mhz bandwidth in a whole street and a few more besides, they've contravened that, and that's just for starters. There are other laws broken, and very soon now they'll be brought to book in the courts. Not before time. So buy them if you must, but soon this country is likely to follow the example of Sweden and ban them. Whether you'll get your money back remains to be seen. I'll stick with my wifi, and since I need network cards and a length of cable in each computer to use the damn things anyway, I might even just run a wire from one machine to the other. It works better. Duh.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Friday 5 February 2010 9:43PM
Well Rob who ever you are well said, I could not have put it better myself.
You will never get these so called self appointed IT experts to agree as they are only thinking of themselves and are very narrow minded but they will be the losers in the long run.
Rob Forrester
Friday 5 February 2010 11:35PM
Well I'm in IT for a living (network admin), but I know these plug-in mains network adapter things are dodgy, and I won't touch 'em. I'm not a radio enthusiast, and I don't need to be one to know what's going to happen when you do something like shoot high frequency RF energy into the mains wiring. I would think any teccy worth his salt would know it too. Give me "live and let live" technologies over "stuff you" ones, thanks. At least where mere convenience is concerned, rather than life or death.
Mike UKQRM
Saturday 6 February 2010 8:25AM
@ mickey

I am sorry but you are either deliberately giving half truths in an attempt to mislead the public or you totally fail to understand the problem!
Judging by your comments regarding Comtrend and notches I am more inclined to think the first option is correct.

Clearly you want to sell more Home Plug (HPA) adaptors and are attempting to score points against your rival here.

Curiously you yourself make the point that HPA adaptors are just as non compliant and therefore illegal by bringing up the 'notches' issue yet again.
Why have notches if your devices are not illegally transmitting on the radio spectrum.

For those who don't understand 'notches' put simply, its a bit like someone making a product that does not transmit and so interfere with BBC 1 but does wipe out BBC2, ITV and all other channels.

Notches only prevent (to some degree) interference to a small part of the shortwave radio spectrum.

So what about the majority of shortwave radio users who for example listen to world broadcasts? don't they deserve protection?

No, and no again Mr mickey, You show me a HPA installation in a normal domestic house that does not cause illegal interference to shortwave radio and I will give you £10?

I know my money is safe because HPA or UPA power line adaptors can not work without causing illegal interference.

You and UPA may indeed find it awkward that the law of the land bans your devices but hard luck just like the rest of us you will have to comply with it.
Archie - '6KRD
Saturday 6 February 2010 3:47PM
I agree with Mike here. It is not just radio amateurs that are interested in the spectrum that these devices interfere with (HPA or UPA), there are numerous others including Commercial (Aircraft), Broadcast (DRM is increasing too), Civilian and Military users in additiaon to SWLs and astronomers. Additionally the HF spectrum is essential during major Civil emergencies and disasters especially when normal communications is rendered useless.
Now that we are coming out of a sunspot minimum, the warnings/dangers that OfCom were appraised of regarding spectrum pollution caused by these devices, will, I expect sadly, come home to roost with a vengeance. The BBC, NATO and EMC bodies all have major concerns in regard to the interfernce cause by these devices, especially the cumulative effects that could disrupt communications
@mickey >
The only devices ARRL would recommend are the ones made by Corridor Systems which use the 2,4Ghz and 5.8Ghz band which menas they are in a regulated spectrum allocation appropriate to data transmission. So please do not misinform -
I suppose some people might suggest never let the facts get in the way of a nice little sale then but then who is it pays in the long run when the cueent devices start causing problems and are found that they are illegal.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Saturday 6 February 2010 7:00PM
Hi Archie this guy has an interest in HPA and belongs to the alliance, we all on the group feel he is the same guy Mr David Walters who tried to disrupt the group last year, he was short lived.
peter
Sunday 7 February 2010 9:42AM
Do homeplugs interfere with aircraft? What's the range of the signal?
Briantist
Sunday 7 February 2010 11:19AM
peter: Possibly model aircraft?
Briantist
Sunday 7 February 2010 11:24AM
John: Re 5438, it only works for Humax and Sony boxes at the moment, your model should be close behind.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Sunday 7 February 2010 12:17PM
Peter they have been known to radiate up to 500m and can be re-radiated via overhead telephone and electric cables over a much wider range.
peter
Sunday 7 February 2010 8:13PM
Ken - do you have a link to further details?
I thought the meter blocked radiation outside the house via the electricity cables.
Alistair Gutcher
Sunday 7 February 2010 8:28PM St. Helens
I hope it can't reach outside the house to interefere with my radio controlled cars on 27 and 40MHz?
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Sunday 7 February 2010 8:29PM
No way, until you have heard one you would never believe it, you can find out and hear many sound samples on www.ukqrm.org link icon UKQRM Against Power Line Ethernet the worst thing to happen to radio ever! hope you find of of interest.
Ken Underwood G3SDW
Sunday 7 February 2010 8:30PM
Alistair well sorry to say yes they can.
Bill
Tuesday 9 February 2010 9:51AM Newhaven
iPlayer on Humax! Has anyone posted about this as all I can see is loads of people banging on about these b?%*!y plugs? I use an ethernet cable to box that is downstairs. Bit of a pain to wire, but gives best signal.

I have found iPlayer often doesn't give Higher quality or it won't work despite my connection being at least 6MB. I want to use Higher quality as that is very low res as it is, but we won't ever get HD until we get speeds of 20, 30 40Mb downloads.
Trying to watch Click!, BBC News channel, when choosing programme, it showed something else instead. Still it is only in Beta, so hope for improvements. Also good when we have iTVplayer 4OD etc as well.
Briantist
Tuesday 9 February 2010 10:03AM
Bill: I have 10Mb/s from Virgin and I can watch HD from the BBC iPlayer no problem - on a PC.

If you have Virgin, this might be your problem - allyours.virginmedia.com link icon Virgin Media Broadband:Traffic management - & Traffic management rather than the speed you think you are paying for.



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