This version of the BBC iPlayer can only be used on a Sony PLAYSTATION®3 system within the UK.
Update 30/06/2008:
We've now got something that represents a usable media player. When the episode page loads, hit 'X' or enter and then 'R3' to zoom full screen. Pressing 'Down' pauses the stream, 'Up' resumes playback, 'Left' rewinds and 'Right' to fast-forward. When you're finished, hit 'O' (circle) to return focus to the browser and 'R3' to zoom out (don't worry, the player now provides a help screen). I've also got the radio recordings working (no live streams unfortunately) and parental guidance protected programmes are now also accessible. Still left to do: recently-played programmes.
Update 27/06/2008:
We're back up and running and with the bonus of using iPlayer 2.0 too! As suspected the PS3 doesn't like the BBC's latest embedded flash media player, so until this can be resolved, I've created very simple temporary alternative. There's no volume or playback controls at the moment, but I'll probably add those soon.
Update 26/06/2008:
A quick update on what's happening regarding the current playback problems. The BBC are in the process of rolling out the beta of iPlayer 2.0 which should be available at some point today. Once it's publicly available, and if required, I'll attempt to update this site to get the new version running on the PS3.
Update 25/06/2008:
My apologies for the current unavailability of all programmes. It looks like the current version (2.3.3460) of the BBC embedded player is not compatable with the PS3, either that or the server now checks the User-Agent name of the Flash environment. I'll keep digging to see what's going on, so please check back soon.
Update 18/06/2008:
Unfortunately, I'm not going to make it to Mashed (Hackday 2008) - so instead, here's a video of a fun iPlayer-related project I've been working on. Excuse the stuttering at the start of the videos, it's due to me turning down the amount of pre-buffering so I could cut down the time for the streams to begin playing for the purpose of this video.
Chris Warren, Edinburgh
FAQs
I've had quite a few emails asking some common questions, so thought I'd post them here:
How do I install it?
You don't need to install anything on your PS3. Just open the Internet Browser from the XMB and enter the URL www.ps3iplayer.com in the address bar.
Why not use the MP4 streams?
Two reasons: the PS3 can't understand the QuickTime container used by the MP4 streams (despite the tiny differences between that and ISO MPEG4) and they would require all the video data to be proxied by this site (which would be hideously expensive).
Can you build a PSP version?
Afraid not, sorry! The PSP only supports Flash 6 whilst the BBC's flash video player requires a minimum of Flash 7. The only way to view the iPlayer on the PSP is to use Remote Play to use the PS3's web-browser remotely.
Can you build an [insert name of device] version?
It should be possible to build a version for any device that has a decent web browser and supports Flash 7. Whilst I don't have the time to build such versions myself, if you'd like to have a stab at it yourself, I'm happy to offer any advice I can. Also, the bandwidth cost of running the PS3 version is quite high, so offering versions for users of other devices would likely break the bank!
Why have you blocked it to work only on the PS3?
See above and the PS3 version has some PS3 specific fixes hard-coded into the site that would need changed if other devices were to be supported.
I'm an Englishman in New York - why can't I use it?
You probably know the answer to this; the license fee. Sorry. Nothing I can do about this. It is the BBC's (and their providers') content and this site would be shut down in a jiffy if it allowed people to access content in a way the official site didn't.
Hey, have you seen the BBC are offering you a job?
Yep, thanks! I've been in touch with Anthony at the Beeb, and they are keen on adding official support for the PS3 to the iPlayer. This site is merely a quick-fix (e.g. it has poor full-screen support) but I'm talking to the BBC about how to do things properly for the official version.