BBC iPlayer: PS3’s new service with Firmware 3.0
Filed under: Gaming, Sony Playstation 3 | By: Alan Ng
Posted on: September 1, 2009 | 23 Comments
Playstation 3 owners will not only benefit from a list of new features when they upgrade to version 3.0 but will also now benefit from the brand new BBC iPlayer widget, released directly with Firmware Update 3.0.
As reported from PS Lifestyle, the BBC iPlayer was originally available via an ‘unofficial’ website, which wasn’t officially endorsed by the BBC. However, the iPlayer finally made its way to the PS3 from December 2008, then now just as announced at GamesCom 2009, the official iPlayer application widget is available on firmware 3.0.
Using the new widget, PS3 owners will be able to go directly to the BBC’s BigScreen Interface, where you’ll be able to start watching or listening to your favourite programmes.
To try the BBC iPlayer app, UK PS3 owners need to head to the TV icon which is located between Video and Games.
Let us know your impressions of the BBC iPlayer.
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Bit dissapointed.
It’s just a link to the bigscreen version you get when you go to bbc.co.uk/iplayer in the browser on the ps3 anyway. I was thinking it would be larger, so it would take advantage of hd screens, and at least allow bbc hd streaming, and maybe even downloads. All it is is the Wii version.
It does save clicking two extra buttons though.
also disappointed. No change from what we had before. No HD no downloads.
It’s just a glorified bookmark! A complete let down since I’ve been using iPlayer through the browser for weeks.
It would be great if it were possible to view programs in a dedicated application, suited for use with the remote control. So many times I’ve not been able to select a program because my cursor keeps jumping around it; therefore meaning I have to get up off my comfy seat to grab an analogue pad. And don’t even mention the effort it takes to pause and resume a program.
Also, the PS3 and HD go hand-in-hand, so why not provide HD iPlayer downloads direct to the hard disc, ready for “buffering-less” viewing?
TV networks are wanting to curb illegal downloading of TV episodes (which can themselves be played on the PS3), so why not provide a service to make it pointless in the first place?
I thought the BBC iPlayer application would allow download. The firmware update doesn’t add any fuctionality….Disappointed!
a big let down from sony and the bbc, its just a bookmark, thought we was getting a app for the bbc iplayer cant see no HD programs im going to stick with the ps3iplayer.com as you can view hd programs from bbc iplayer, you cant on the ps3 tv, bbciplayer in the xmb on the ps3 , we need more updates to make other channels players for the ps3 flash on the ps3 could do with been upgraded to 10,,,, come on sony start giving us what we want, sick of your usless updates for the ps3……….
I think the new way to launch it is a BRILLIANT idea. I hope that it is soon joined by 4OD, iTVPlayer and SkyPlayer (I understand that it’s not simple to do thanks to decisions to use silverlight)
There still seem to be several dropped frames for me, is that due to lack of oomph in the flash player still? I guess that’s why they’re not offering HD as the problem would be exacerbated.
Thanks to BT my broadband can’t sustain a full HD stream anyway. The government is perfectly happy with allowing not only digital backwaters like ours (on the border of the M25, not “rural” by any means) but letting BT charge MORE in these areas than in areas where they have competition.
I don’t like the way that it dims the screen while you’re watching a programme as if it is idle. Obviously you want pages containing flash ads to dim if you leave the system for a while, but if you’re watching flash video, surely you want it to tell the PS3 that it’s in active use while you’re watching.
Most of all I’d like it to play back full screen, rather than windowboxed.
If you don’t want the PS3 to dim during playback then switch off the PS3 screen saver, it’s also under PS3 iplayer tips link is located on the lower right of the iplayer screen.
HTH
agree with other comments…also find that the TV programs very often dont start when u click on the bplay icon…its very hit and mss if it will worl at all …very frustrating!
i didnt even get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well at least you guys actually have it, i downloaded 3.00 a few days ago and it hasnt come up with anything :/
theres no tv icon or anything its the same as beforee >:(
Has anyone else been unable to play any videos from the BBC iPlayer? Link appears under tv icon as expected and opens up the BigScreen Interface. However, after selecting a tv program to watch, the “Play” link in the top right hand corner has no effect. Starting up the browser and going to the BigScreen interface also fails. I had no problems using the player before the upgrade.
I had exactly the same problem. Sony say they are not aware of any defect, but they have promised to look into it and let me know !!!