Downloading BBC TV whilst Abroad

[thesaint]

Does anyone know how to DOWNLOAD British TV whilst abroad. Currently I am in Spain for a month. By using a Private Virtual Network I can already watch British TV but often have to suffer buffering delays whilst streaming. With BBC at least, they offer DOWNLOADING as an option, rather than Streaming. Thus you can then gather up a program and then watch it without buffering. However; this procedure cannot be undertaken via my VPN ("SurfEasy"). Is there a way?

 

[UsernameIssues]

does this work:
CastAlba.TV - Free Live Streaming Service To Share With Friends and Family

 

[thesaint]

Good Morning UNI,
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm just off on an excursion so I will try later. However; its name indicates that only streaming is possible - not Downloading

 

[UsernameIssues]

I thought that there was a download option there as well, but now I don't see it. I had been looking for a way to watch a bit of the BBC the other day and I found some website that allowed downloads of shows. The trouble is, I was on so many different websites, I can't be sure where I saw the option to download - it might have been on the BBC's website, but they charge for that.

 

[thesaint]

Yes, "UNI"; BBC do offer downloading but it does not route through my SurfEasy Browser. With reference to your Private message (which I failed to find how to reply to except here; I had already installed that program, but it is only used to store the programs you download from the BBC. As I cannot receive the downlaad, I cannot store it.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I see - I'm slowly catching up with you. I should have researched SurfEasy. That would have told me that it is the wrong type of VPN for this task. You probably need one that creates a virtual network adapter at the OS level.

 

[stve]

Chrome has an Extension Hola Better Internet that might work.
I'm in the UK but I tried simulating a search from Spain https://www.google.es/
& going to the iplayer site . I was blocked at first but enabling Hola got me access & I was able to download.

If you do get access I recommend downloading get_iplayer from get_iplayer - Forums ? Help ? Guides it includes a Web PVR that makes downloading several programes at once very easy.

 

[thesaint]

Good Evening "Stve",
Thank you for your useful looking suggestions.

I installed Hola but it would only play streaming items. It refused to DOWNLOAD them.

Then I went to the get_iplayer web site and read the manuals & FAQs It looks complicated and furthermore does not mention anywhere that it can deal with DOWNLOADING BBC programs - only streaming. In fact, on the face of it, it does no more than Hola, but in a more complicated (for me) way.

 

[3D Jed]

I have used get iPlayer in the UK and I agree it is complex, but it can d/l DRM free content. AFAIK stuff d/l from iPlayer site is time limited. Discussing bypassing DRM is sailing a bit close to the wind re forum rule 4.

 

[thesaint]

Good Evening "3D Jed"
As far as I can see; you do not need "get_iplayer" if you are in the UK. You just go direct to the iplayer web page, find your required program and tell it to either "play now" (for streaming presentation) or (when a choice is given) click "Download"

 

[Slartybart]

This BBC iPlayer - Help - Can I use BBC iPlayer outside the UK?

Can I use BBC iPlayer outside the UK?

Rights agreements mean that BBC iPlayer television programmes are only available to users to download or stream (Click to Play) in the UK. However, we are aware of demand for an international version. BBC Worldwide has recently launched the BBC iPlayer App for iPad and iPhone in various countries. Visit the BBC iPlayer (Global) YouTube channel for further information.

Most radio programmes are available outside the UK in addition to podcasts, although sporting and other programmes may be subject to rights agreements.

In addition, highlights from many of BBC News' programmes are available for viewers outside the UK, as is BBC Sport video content.

Do make sure you check for the latest updates on BBC iPlayer or contact your own country's broadcasters to find out if they offer a similar service to BBC iPlayer.

took me here: BBC iPlayer - Help - Is there a BBC iPlayer App that works outside the UK?

here: https://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/outside_the_uk/download_uk
and
here: BBC iPlayer Global - YouTube

Explore the best of British TV with the Global BBC iPlayer

Explore the best of British TV with the BBC iPlayer (Global) - available on iPad and iPhone! http://itunes.apple.com/us/...

Download the free app today with taster clips and episodes. Subscribe for unlimited access - even when you're offline, and watch a selection of the best classic and contemporary British shows on demand.

The BBC iPlayer app is currently available in the following countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Please note, not all programming is available in all countries.

I'm not sure if that helps you any, but it might point you in the correct direction.

The VideoLan VLC player can convert streams to files. It's not a direct download, so it is a slow process of stream and write. I'm not sure how it would handle the delays you're experiencing.

Real Networks player used to be able to download media, but it has changed since I last used it - now a cloud service.

Which made me think of another possibility.
A family member or friend in the UK could download and put the show in cloud storage for you.
I don't think this would violate BBC terms as long as you have the rights to the show (a UK citizen) and you do not distribute the show. You only use the video for personal viewing while out of country.

You should read the BBC terms so that neither you or your family member violate the rights.

Bill
.

 

[3D Jed]

Good Evening "3D Jed"
As far as I can see; you do not need "get_iplayer" if you are in the UK. You just go direct to the iplayer web page, find your required program and tell it to either "play now" (for streaming presentation) or (when a choice is given) click "Download"

get_iplayer saves unrestricted mp4 1.5mbps approx, BBC iPlayer downloads have DRM -

'Downloading a programme means you can watch a programme when not connected to the internet. Programmes can be stored for up to 30 days and once you start to play a programme, you have 7 days after which the download will expire.'

BTW I found out recently that it is illegal in the UK to record TV and build up a collection of favorites -

 

[stve]

Good Evening "Stve",
Thank you for your useful looking suggestions.

I installed Hola but it would only play streaming items. It refused to DOWNLOAD them.

Then I went to the get_iplayer web site and read the manuals & FAQs It looks complicated and furthermore does not mention anywhere that it can deal with DOWNLOADING BBC programs - only streaming. In fact, on the face of it, it does no more than Hola, but in a more complicated (for me) way.

The Web PVR Manager is downloaded with the get_iplayer & is easy to use the online help seems to ignore it , probably has not been updated.
Searching needs the .* , change the recording mode from default to best tick the episodes you want to download , click on Apply Settings then Click on the big Record button.

I added the Hola extension to Opera this evening & saw this on the reviews

Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer in Chrome. The Firefox version of Hola does work though.

 

[thesaint]

3D Jed,
Further to my last post to you; I do not see why I need to concern myself with DRM. If iplayer offers a program for streaming or downloading, any DRM issues must already have been resolved by the BBC.
By the way I installed Hola on Firefox (I had already got it on Chrome). When on the Firefox add-ons page, they seemed to have not heard of Hola! The only way to get it on Firefox is to start with the Hola web=site and download it for Firefox. Even then Firefox tried to block it from being installed!

 

[3D Jed]

3D Jed,
Further to my last post to you; I do not see why I need to concern myself with DRM. If iplayer offers a program for streaming or downloading, any DRM issues must already have been resolved by the BBC.
By the way I installed Hola on Firefox (I had already got it on Chrome). When on the Firefox add-ons page, they seemed to have not heard of Hola! The only way to get it on Firefox is to start with the Hola web=site and download it for Firefox. Even then Firefox tried to block it from being installed!

iPlayer streams are usually available for 30 days after transmission. iPlayer DRM affects how long you can keep a downloaded video - 30 days max or 7 days once you have opened the file. get_iplayer mp4s are unrestricted.

This item on the Telegraph site on this topic has some info on Hola (in the replies)

Can I use BBC iPlayer abroad? - Telegraph

 

[thesaint]

Thanks for that clarification about DRM Jed.
I get over that DRM issue because if I see a program coming up which I wish to retain for a long time; I simply set it up to record on a DVD recorder.
Of course, if you are out of the country as I am (for a month) and want to keep up with say "Top Gear" etc.; I have it set to record at home but that makes a lot of time required when back in the UK, catching up with recorded TV. Therefore; when I find the time (rainy day etc.) I try to keep up to date whilst still abroad. Hence my desire for Downloading to avoid the inconvenience of Buffering whilst Streaming.

 

[3D Jed]

re Hola mentioned in this thread. I just tried it on FF and although it works, I was a bit concerned to read on their website that Hola uses p2p technology -

'The Internet is slowed down by server response times, Internet congestion, round trip times, and poorly written communication stacks in operating systems. Hola removes these bottlenecks by securely caching content on peers as they view it, and later serving it up to other nearby peers as they need it. Hola also compresses communication between peers to further speed the net. As more people install and use Hola, the faster and less congested it will be!'

think I'll pass on this one . . .