BBC i-love-this-Player (BBC iPlayer)

Member Name: marnie_moo

Product:	BBC iPlayer
Date:	03/08/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Auto resume on programmes, radio and tv listings

Disadvantages: Can be difficult to browse listings

iPlayer is the BBC's new fangled invention, whereby you can catch up with most of it's programming online at anytime. Much in the same vein of ITV-Player or 4OD, the BBC really sets itself apart from these applications in ways I will explain below.

Firstly the lack of adverts- with 4OD etc adverts are forced inbetween the transmissions and can't be skipped. This would be okay if it wasn't the exact same advert repeated in every break of every programme you watch. And even that would be bareable if 25% of the time these adverts didn't make the programme crash. I also like the fact that you don't have to pay for a TV license to enjoy the priviledge of no adverts on iPlayer.

While the littlest thing can cause 4OD and ITV Player to crash, what I love about iPlayer is that even if there is a drop in speed or connectivity it will just resume at the place you left off. Even if there are error messages from time to time, simply refreshing the page usually solves all problems.

The quality of video on the iPlayer is also excellent, even when fullscreen. The sound is also brilliant- so no more squinting at fuzzy videostreams with out of sync sounds!

The website is very easy to navigate, with programmes separated by catergories, channels and genres. The only thing I wish they had was a definitive alphabetical list of the programmes that was all on 1 page so you wouldn't have to click through page after page just to browse what they have on offer.

I also wish they had more results shown when you check listings using the "TV Channels" tab. I've found so many amazing programmes just through seeing what been on BBC Three and would love to be able to easily find what they have in their backcatalogue of stuff- not just what's been on in the past week. Aside from this the site is near perfect, if only all video streaming websites were as good!

Summary: Proof that the BBC are spending our TV License on something half decent!

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