Rich Fiscus
27 Jul 2007 6:03
Today the BBC launched its much anticipated download service, using software called iPlayer. Users can download a selection of programs broadcast in the last seven days and watch them for up to 30 days.
Viewers interested in using iPlayer can register for the service on Friday and a Limited number will then be invited to join. The number of users invited will increase until the full scale launch this fall when the restriction will be lifted.
The iPlayer began life in 2003 as the iMP (Integrated Media Player). "At the time, it was remarkably innovative. For the BBC to use peer-to-peer technology was revolutionary," said Simon Perry, editor of online magazine Digital Lifestyles.
"If it had just launched it then it could have blown the whole broadcast world away. Who knows what the impact would have been if it had come out before the rise of YouTube," he said.
Regardless of the timing, this is still revolutionary compared to US networks which have streaming content, but no mechanism to allow downloads, let alone time shifting for up to 30 days.
Arash Amel, an analyst with research firm Screen Digest, said "technical glitches" were inevitable when iPlayer launched, partly because rival applications experienced them and partly through his own experience of the BBC's offering.
"I have supposedly been on the trial for the last two weeks but there has just been technical fault after technical fault," he said.
There have already been complaints from the open source community because it requires a PC with Windows XP to run. Critics argue that the BBC is required to serve everyone paying for licenses, including those who use a Mac, or even other operating systems like Linux.
The trust met with Mark Taylor, the head of the Open Source Consortium and one of the more vocal critics of the Microsoft-only launch, earlier this week.
"They reiterated their commitment to platform neutrality, specifically mentioning Linux, and welcomed our offer of help to establish a cross-platform approach," Mr Taylor said.
The OSC is due to meet BBC management to discuss the issue further.
Source: BBC News