The on-demand iPlayer service will allow you to watch TV shows from the previous 7 days and store them on a PC for 30 days. It sounds kind of like an automated DVR service.
I think this is great although Offcom is warning about lost DVR sales, and being bad for competitors and securing long term content.
Well, they've
sort of
approved it, though with quite a few restriction on the things that they originally wanted to do with it. eg Maximum storage time on downloads of 30 days, no audiobook downloads, quite strict limit on series stacking, and it must be operable on 'all computer operating systems' - now there's a programming nightmare.
must be operable on 'all computer operating systems' - now there's a programming nightmare.
Not necessarily, there are countless codecs which work on the major platforms (Mac/Windows/Linux) and most of the minor platforms too. Even if it involves building the binary yourself.
Have they actually chosen a codec/system to use? I do wish they'd get rid of Realplayer, and improve the quality of their videos.
Well thats jolly good, I'm a big fan of Channel 4's on demand service, well the free bits anyway, if the BBC version is as good I'll be very happy, and seeing as its all free (bar license fee) it'll be rather fantastic. No rushing in on a Sunday to watch Top Gear...
Well, they've
sort of
approved it, though with quite a few restriction on the things that they originally wanted to do with it (...) and it must be operable on 'all computer operating systems' - now there's a programming nightmare.
It's not that difficult - all you have to do is compile binaries for Windows, Mac OS and UNIX-type OSes such as Linux. Then you can release instructions for compiling or writing it on other OSes which are quite obscure anyway, meaning that anyone with the ability or who can be bothered to install that OS should find building Iplayer a breeze.
I think what ever DRM they come up with someone will hack it.
Judging by the documentation from the Trust, they're planning on using Real's DRM for the alternative platforms. And, I for one applaud the Trust for making them do this. As a Mac user it's about time someone put a stop to the demented world-take over by Windows. The only thing I'm frustrated about is the 24 month timescale.
I think its good to make the software available to
all
operating systems. I don't use an alternative one to Windows, but I feel sorry people who do who see 'Windows Only' next to downloads all the time.
I can understand the decision for the use of Windows Media, which at the moment is a very good platform for both streamed and downloaded content. It is a very efficient codec based upon MPEG4, compared to Real's now dated codec. Also, it's DRM is extremely secure for the simple reason that whenever it's cracked, Microsoft update it. I think it has only been fully cracked once, and Microsoft had the crack out of action the next day. If only Microsoft could find a way to get their DRM system on other platforms.
must be operable on 'all computer operating systems' - now there's a programming nightmare.
Not necessarily, there are countless codecs which work on the major platforms (Mac/Windows/Linux) and most of the minor platforms too. Even if it involves building the binary yourself.
Have they actually chosen a codec/system to use? I do wish they'd get rid of Realplayer, and improve the quality of their videos.
The trial of iPlayer (then iMP) was based around Windows Media (at sub-broadcast quality for SD material) and the DRM was quite strict.
It will be interesting to see how the BBC approach platform neutrality :
1. Go for a pan-platform codec somehow incorporating their own DRM - so that there is a single format for all platforms. The BBC have developed their own, open-source, compression system called Dirac which might make sense, and would have no licensing fees to pay.
However proprietary codecs and DRM are restrictive for the user - as things like Apple TV and Windows Media Center Extender-style streaming to allow you to watch stuff on a real TV become more difficult.
2. Go for different encodes per platform - with Windows Media, Quicktime etc. for PC and Mac,
This could be expensive as each will require a licence for use I believe.
As for your comments about Real player, yep there are issues, but on the other hand it is supported on Mac, PC, Linux and handheld platforms, so for the "closed" codecs with DRM it is quite widely supported, moreso than Quicktime or WMV.
I suspect the DRM is going to be the decider. It may also be that the Beeb launch a PC + Windows Media based version first - if that is what they've been developing, adding other platforms at a later date?