BBC iPlayer 3 coming later this year

[Shin-Ra]

New version of BBC iPlayer for PS3 now available
Anthony Rose | 11:05 UK time, Monday, 7 September 2009

Good news for PS3 owners - last week we released an updated version of iPlayer that offers improved video quality and an enhanced user interface.

We first released a version of iPlayer for PS3 about a year ago. It worked pretty well, but back then the PS3 used an older version of Flash that didn't support H.264 playback and didn't support full-screen mode, which somewhat limited the playback experience we could provide.

A few months ago Sony released an updated version of Flash that provided support for H.264 content. However, that version of Flash was still unable to play back our higher quality streams at the full frame rate of 25fps.

Since then, Sony have done a great job of enhancing the PS3's Flash playback experience, and the latest V3.0 firmware update now includes hardware acceleration in full-screen mode, allowing for a substantial improvement in the playback experience.

Over the past year, we've also done a lot of tuning and enhancements to our iPlayer video encoding, including adding a new 1500Kbps "SD quality" format. Put the two together and the result is an iPlayer on PS3 with brilliant video quality - almost as good as broadcast television!

As part of the V3.0 firmware update, Sony have added a big iPlayer icon to the PS3's cross-media bar, giving easy one-click access to iPlayer:

As well as optimising the video quality, we've also optimised our "designed for TV viewing" BigScreen interface in a new larger size to take advantage of the extra real estate offered on high-def displays:

iPlayer BigScreen interface on 576p screens



iPlayer BigScreen interface on 720p and 1080p screens

You can see these two interfaces in action by going to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/bigscreen in your regular browser, then resizing your browser window larger or smaller to simulate our BigScreen interface at various PS3 resolutions. You'll see the interface automatically resize itself to the large size once your browser width reaches 1280 pixels (the best way to experience our BigScreen interface on a PC is to hit F11 to maximise your browser window).
By the way, you can experience our BigScreen version of iPlayer on your PC as well - just head over to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/bigscreen on any computer. Connect your computer's video out to your TV set and use our BigScreen interface to play your favourite programmes on demand from the comfort of your couch.

Finally, some iPlayer on PS3 tips and tricks:

1. If the iPlayer icon doesn't appear in the XMB
Some users have reported that the iPlayer icon hasn't appeared after they've installed the V3.0 firmware update, so if you're not seeing the iPlayer icon here's what to do:

• Sign up for the PSN network (it's free) using a UK address, which seems to be a requirement for getting the iPlayer icon to appear.
  
• Reboot (important). You should now see the iPlayer icon in the XMB.
  
• If you still don't see the iPlayer icon, check the serial number on the back of your PS3 - it should end with CECH-XXX3, where the "3" indicates a UK model. Only UK models get the iPlayer icon, meaning that if you purchased your PS3 abroad or through a retailer that imported non-UK models then you won't get an iPlayer icon.
  
• If the iPlayer icon still doesn't appear, don't worry about it - you can get exactly the same iPlayer experience by launching the PS3 browser and going directly to the iPlayer site at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

2. Easy way to exit and re-enter full-screen mode
On the PS3, to exit full-screen mode, double-click the "X" key on the PS3 remote.
To re-enter full-screen mode, position the mouse pointer over the video (which will now be playing in a small window in the BigScreen site) and double-click "X" again.

3. Turn off the screensaver
By default the PS3 screensaver kicks in after 20 minutes, dimming the screen right in the middle of your favourite programme. So you might want to disable the screensaver: Settings > Display Settings > Screensaver

Over the coming weeks we'll be adding some extra functionality and fixing a few glitches in the UI.

User response to our new iPlayer for PS3 has been amazing. Although it's less than a week since we launched, iPlayer on PS3 now accounts for a massive ~10% of all iPlayer viewing, overtaking Mac (8.5%) to be our 2nd most popular platform for IP-delivered content. We'll have to wait and see whether this holds up in the coming weeks, but this enthusiastic reception makes it clear that users do want iPlayer on their TV - something that bodes well for Canvas and other IPTV propositions.

Anthony Rose is Controller, Online Media Group and Vision, BBC FM&T

[Shin-Ra]

I checked this myself and the SD iPlayer stream quality seems to have improved since last week when the PS3 3.00 update hit. The menu interface properly fills the screen with extra buttons in HD resolutions, as demonstrated above. I took my own pics from the PS3 web browser using the new screenshot capture option.

Fullscreen playback isn't perfectly smooth, there's still some dropped frames but 3.00 brought a huge improvement here.

[garlad]

Just tried the iPlayer.. No icon on my XMB as I am not in the UK, so had to use www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer.

It opened up an application that is excellent. Really easy to use and looks great. Living in Ireland, I can only use the iPlayer for radio shows, I cannot access TV programmes which is a pity. But it works great (the radio at least )

[Grim Reaper]

so, my question is. when is the US getting this feature?

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by Grim Reaper

so, my question is. when is the US getting this feature?

You can probably answer this better than me. Which US tv catchup services work well with the PS3 web browser and flash?

I'm sure there needs to be some reasonable level of playback quality assured before SCEA would consider adding shortcuts to those services.

[Beefbowl]

I'm half tempted to buy a region B PS3.

[david2189]

using this pretty much every night as i get in quite late and miss a number of programmes, now for channel4/sky on demand

[garlad]

Originally Posted by david2189

using this pretty much every night as i get in quite late and miss a number of programmes, now for channel4/sky on demand

Sky Player man! it's excellent!

[david2189]

Originally Posted by garlad

Sky Player man! it's excellent!

does it work on the ps3

[garlad]

Originally Posted by david2189

does it work on the ps3

No, I'm sorry, didn't mean to get you excited.. I just thought you meant you wanted a Sky Player... In general..

I havent tried the embedded player on the SkySports website through the PS3.. That might work for live sport? The application certainly wont.

[Shin-Ra]

Services confirmed for SCEE countries:

UK: BBC iPlayer on September 1st

"followed shortly by"

Spain: rtve, ANTENA 3 and laSexta
Germany: ZDFmediathek
Netherlands: NOS
Australia: Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC)

[garlad]

Ireland is SHIT! Absolutely useless

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

I'm half tempted to buy a region B PS3.

It won't work. The service is dependent upon the region of your IP address, from what others have said.

You could probably use it on a US-based PS3 if you took the time to set up your network to route through a UK-based proxy server. But that's a lot of hassle when services like Hulu are available, and many US networks now let you watch catch-up TV on their web sites.

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by Sylin

It won't work. The service is dependent upon the region of your IP address, from what others have said.

You could probably use it on a US-based PS3 if you took the time to set up your network to route through a UK-based proxy server. But that's a lot of hassle when services like Hulu are available, and many US networks now let you watch catch-up TV on their web sites.

My IP would be UK since I'm actually in the UK

[garlad]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

My IP would be UK since I'm actually in the UK

yeah so your region A player would work.. you would only need the region b player for you blus (if you dont have another player)

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by garlad

yeah so your region A player would work.. you would only need the region b player for you blus (if you dont have another player)

nope. I downloaded it and it didn't work. I would need a region B PS3 to make it work.

[garlad]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

nope. I downloaded it and it didn't work. I would need a region B PS3 to make it work.

but if you IP is UK then surely the iPlayer would work?

[Beefbowl]

Originally Posted by garlad

but if you IP is UK then surely the iPlayer would work?

Not on a US PS3. I guess something inside the PS3 knows it's not made in the UK

[garlad]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

Not on a US PS3. I guess something inside the PS3 knows it's not made in the UK

yeah I mean I guess so! Jeez.. that is a pity..

Buy the Slim

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Beefbowl

Not on a US PS3. I guess something inside the PS3 knows it's not made in the UK

Oh well. That sucks. (Didn't notice you were in the UK... sorry about that.)

If such an option existed for US-based PS3's, I have no doubt state-side PS3 sales would explode. Oh well... at least we have healthc--oh, wait... nvm... Hey, at least we have NFL football.