bbc and iplayer
- Thread starter lobster
- Start date
untethered
For industry & decency
lobster said:
That's wildly optimistic.
"Oh, I think I'll get a Mac because I won't be able to watch the new BBC service on it."
editor
hiraethified
Which is the most likely consumer response:lobster said:
1. "Damn! I can't watch the BBC's great content because I'm on some minority platform. Perhaps it's time I switched to windows so I can readily enjoy all that great content?"
2. "Damn! The BBC isn't letting people using minority platforms watch their great content, so in protest I'm going to get rid of my PC and buy something that doesn't work with it and start missing out on the great content too"
Or option 3) What the fuck are the BBC playing at by spending so much taxpayers' money by getting into bed with such a proprietary format from a company with a history of less than open standards?
It just makes me think the BBC was either lazy or didn't think it through very well. Given the rapid improvements in Mac market share and the number of media-savvy mac users, it always seemed a strange decision.
It just makes me think the BBC was either lazy or didn't think it through very well. Given the rapid improvements in Mac market share and the number of media-savvy mac users, it always seemed a strange decision.
untethered
For industry & decency
tarannau said:
These days, the typical Mac user is someone that actually believes Apple's propaganda. "Media savvy" isn't the first description that springs to mind.
However, the BBC shouldn't be wasting money on services based on proprietary protocols.
lobster said:
More likely it will people who don't have Xp to download BBC material from BitTorrent... The DRM on it sounds terrible, so I'm guessing people who do have Xp will be more likely to download videos as well...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergrated_Media_PlayerWikipedia said:
Um... So why would I bother getting it from the Beeb...?
Cause someone's bound to crack the DRM before longjæd said:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergrated_Media_Player
Um... So why would I bother getting it from the Beeb...?
editor
hiraethified
Please don't turn it into a Mac vs PC snooze-a-thon. The supposed 'stability' of platforms (or lack of) is not the issue here.jæd said:
I think the BBC made a mistake going for a proprietary format, but I'm not sure what other multi-platform options were available for their technology to work in the way they wanted.
However, once they chose that route it makes sense for them to first develop for the platform that is used by the vast, vast majority of their users: i.e Windows.
I sincerely hope they sort out Mac/Linuv versions too.
Still, it's not all bad. At least they didn't go with anything based on Quicktime!
editor said:
It looks more like they took an off-the-shelf technology (ie, Windows Media Player) and just used that format with a branded wrapper... I'd be be very surprised if there's a player for Apple or Linux seeing as Microsoft discontinued Media Player for Mac...
*HUGE* mis-step by the BBC...
Pingu
Credo
dunno...
initailly hitting 90odd% of net users is hardly a big mistep
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
initailly hitting 90odd% of net users is hardly a big mistep
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
editor
hiraethified
So what format do you suggest they used?jæd said:
And why on earth do you expect every brand new BBC development to be able to immediately reach 100% of its audience? I'd say hitting 90% from the off is a pretty good start.
After all, Digital TV and DAB are still to reach millions.
Pingu
Credo
jæd said:
i am guessing a bit here but
they probably cant use various estabilshed file formats due to the copy right issues and DRM. So in order to be able to show any content they needed to reassure the copyright holders etc that their rights would be protected. so no mpgs. whatever they deployed wsa going to be propriety in nature then and on that basis i reckon that 90%+ penetration from the off is pretty good
Boris Sprinkler
Dont be scared
well youtube works ok on the 3 different operating systems I use. It's hardly rocket science.
editor said:
I can think of one which works fine on Mac and Windows. And also works fine on Linux. It starts with "Q"...
RealPlayer was also working fine on all three. Though I'd hope that something that wasn't proprietary was used... editor said:
The problem is they're intentionally leaving people out by their choice...
editor said:
Yep, but they haven't switched off analogue off yet, have they...?
untethered
For industry & decency
Dask said:
That scuppers all those Windows users without IE.
editor
hiraethified
Quicktime does not and has never worked 'fine' on any PC I've ever used. Picking that piece of shit would have been the worst possible decision.jæd said:
Err.. only while they develop the player for other platforms.jæd said:
FYI: it doesn't even work with Microsoft Windows Vista. That's why it's still in beta.
untethered
For industry & decency
Dask said:
So all the ideologically-pure open-source zealots can download proprietary content to their hearts content.
editor said:
Going to be launched in on 27th... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6245062.stm Hhhmm... At least they've announced a Mac client, though it'll be interesting to see how its implemented..
Wintermute
easy tiger
Pingu said:
Boris Sprinkler said:
YouTube being well-known for its almost impossible-to-break DRM, and unconditional love from most major content providers....
IMNVFHO - this is a complete non-story.
1. The windows-only version is only coming out in beta.
2. It'll be on Macs by autumn.
3. A condition of approval from the corporation's governing body, the BBC Trust was that "platform neutrality be achieved as soon as possible" with reviews every six months. [source]
Of COURSE they're going to make it platform-neutral. Otherwise all the Mac fanboys and penguin-heads would be up in arms whining about rebates on their license. The only error on the BBC's part was not anticipating the rabid belligerence of either of these piffling minority groups towards anything that even at the earliest stage of its release was released onto one platform only (and guess which one). My suggestion to them? Shut the fuck up, carry on playing with iTunes or BitTorrent or whatever your media delivery paradigm of choice, and when the BBC has ported their software over to your poky little operating system, you can come and play too. Until then: (a) it's only a Beta, (b) it's still going to be an improvement on RealPlayer, and (c) shut the fuck up already.
Lots of love,
wm
untethered
For industry & decency
Dask said:
I'm not running Windows and I don't have a TV licence.
0/10 mthWintermute said:YouTube being well-known for its almost impossible-to-break DRM, and unconditional love from most major content providers....
IMNVFHO - this is a complete non-story.
1. The windows-only version is only coming out in beta.
2. It'll be on Macs by autumn.
3. A condition of approval from the corporation's governing body, the BBC Trust was that "platform neutrality be achieved as soon as possible" with reviews every six months. [source]
Of COURSE they're going to make it platform-neutral. Otherwise all the Mac fanboys and penguin-heads would be up in arms whining about rebates on their license. The only error on the BBC's part was not anticipating the rabid belligerence of either of these piffling minority groups towards anything that even at the earliest stage of its release was released onto one platform only (and guess which one). My suggestion to them? Shut the fuck up, carry on playing with iTunes or BitTorrent or whatever your media delivery paradigm of choice, and when the BBC has ported their software over to your poky little operating system, you can come and play too. Until then: (a) it's only a Beta, (b) it's still going to be an improvement on RealPlayer, and (c) shut the fuck up already.
Lots of love,
wm
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