BBC iPlayer Downloading and BBC iPlayer Desktop Features Walkthrough

The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) has a TV on Demand service: BBC iPlayer. The service usually allows you to stream programmes that have been broadcast over the last 7 days.
However, the service also has a feature that not many people are aware of: Downloading.

Underneath where the programme is streaming, there is a download button. The normal download button will open up (or allow you to download, if not installed) BBC iPlayer Desktop. It's an Adobe AIR application so it will work on any Operating System.

Unfortunately, the software does not, as yet, work with radio programmes from the BBC Stations, however it does work with the BBC HD service to allow you to download a BBC programme in (mostly) full 1080p High Definition.

Although BBC iPlayer Desktop is great, it also allows you to download the programme in other formats such as wmv for Windows Media Player usage. Though, like in BBC iPlayer Desktop, the programme will expire and be unwatchable after 30 days.

BBC iPlayer:
http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer

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Music:
Kevin MacLeod
(http://incompetech.com)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

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• air
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• download
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[computermaster7000]

is it free?

[RATSCALLION129]

@computermaster7000 Yep!

[JasonDMG]

radio to?

[RATSCALLION129]

@JasonDMG I don't know, but I don't think so.. Try it :)

[WeLoveWarfare]

can i get like music/audio clips off the video?

[RATSCALLION129]

@WeLoveWarfare Off the downloaded video? I don't think so. The BBC shoves DRM on the video so that it's under copyright and you can't distribute it illegally.. You'd have to find your own nicer download (though the 'Other Downloads,' might help) and put it in a video editor, strip the video off and clip the audio.

Basically, it's a long and quite possibly complicated process, but it's still possible.

[georickyful]

ermm why are there so many programs to download these videos then? if bbc just lets you download it? this is far easier haha. thanks

[lileichina96]

How long should it take a programme about an hour long to download? Surely not 6 hours I hope!!!

[RATSCALLION129]

You have to click the "More Downloads" button (only available on some programmes, though it may have been removed completely now.. I think it depends on what you're using browser/OS wise) and click Windows Media Player. If you download the one for BBC iPlayer Desktop then no.

[MrJammuz]

can you play these videos in windows media player?