BBC set to ditch the iPod, Linux and Mac OS

[the_leander]

In a planned revamp of their on-line streaming media content the BBC is set to make it impossible for users of the Mac OS X and Linux variant operating systems, as well as hand held devices such as the Apple iPod, to play it's audio and video streams.

[Karlos]

Given that the BBC require you to have a lisence, it's hardly surprising they'd love to go for DRM type distrobution of streaming content.

Arsefezzes.

[GadgetMaster]

Do you think the are getting a backhander from Meecrisift ?

[Karlos]

Who knows? Strikes me as an utterly retarded thing to do, though.

[mr_a500]

That makes me angry enough to punch a walrus. It's bad enough that I can't listen to BBC audio on my Amiga (mp3 or ogg would have been perfectly fine), but I thought if bought a Mac, I'd have no problem. I expect this kind of Windows-only crap from a FOX or CNN site, but never thought BBC would be this stupid. BBC has always had fairly pro-Mac news stories. If even the BBC goes Windows-only for streaming content, I can imagine that most other sites would too.

The future is going to really suck.

[iamaboringperson]

Screw the BBC.

the_leander wrote:
In a planned revamp of their on-line streaming media content the BBC is set to make it impossible for users of the Mac OS X and Linux variant operating systems, as well as hand held devices such as the Apple iPod, to play it's audio and video streams.

SLED10 will legally support Windows Media Formats from November according to this months Linux Format.

Bad news for everyone else though.

I do find it slightly amusing that non UK residents are geting their knickers in a twist about not being able to stream the BBC.  It's not as though they pay for service as a licence payer. ;-)

[mr_a500]

I do find it slightly amusing that non UK residents are geting their knickers in a twist about not being able to stream the BBC. It's not as though they pay for service as a licence payer.

Well, American news is shockingly biased and controlled by corporations and interest groups. Canadian news is controlled and influenced by the Americans (Canadian TV News is starting to use whole news stories by American networks, printed news is now usually AP). One of the only places to get (reasonably) un-biased news is the BBC.

As for streaming - I hate streaming content. It's another control to prevent personal copying and storage. I noticed BBC has totally redone their news website so now it's about 1/3 streaming content. Now many news stories I can't even view because they have no text versions. Eventually there will be no choice.


Microsoft knows that (to paraphrase Dune) "He who controls the stream controls the universe."

[the_leander]

nicholas wrote:

SLED10 will legally support Windows Media Formats from November according to this months Linux Format.

Including the new playforsure drm wrapper?

the_leander wrote:

nicholas wrote:

SLED10 will legally support Windows Media Formats from November according to this months Linux Format.

Including the new playforsure drm wrapper?

Dunno.

Probably not would be my guess. :-(

[the_leander]

nicholas wrote:

the_leander wrote:

nicholas wrote:

SLED10 will legally support Windows Media Formats from November according to this months Linux Format.

Including the new playforsure drm wrapper?

Dunno.

Probably not would be my guess. :-(

Reason I ask is twofold, firstly, it would allow access to purchase from MS's new iTunes alike, and secondly, that is what is going to be used on the new Beeb service.

the_leander wrote:

nicholas wrote:

the_leander wrote:

nicholas wrote:

SLED10 will legally support Windows Media Formats from November according to this months Linux Format.

Including the new playforsure drm wrapper?

Dunno.

Probably not would be my guess. :-(

Reason I ask is twofold, firstly, it would allow access to purchase from MS's new iTunes alike, and secondly, that is what is going to be used on the new Beeb service.

Slightly more info here

and here

[InTheSand]

I thought the BBC was working on its own video CODEC, to avoid having to use someone else's proprietary solution?

There's some info about it on this page, and a SourceForge page here...

 - Ali

[the_leander]

It was, which makes this latest announcement all the more odd.

I wonder who's pockets are somewhat more stuffed as a result of this...

[Agafaster]

well I wouldnt call it so much as an announcement, I havent seen any links to the bbc yet...