New BBC iPlayer: HD TV without an HDTV

by Dean Evans at Thursday 16th April, 2009 at 5:15 pm [0 comments]

The BBC has announced that it’s adding high definition (HD) downloads to the BBC iPlayer.

According to the BBC News website, the iPlayer will start offering selected high-def streams and downloads.

The addition of HD content is part of the latest iPlayer update, which also cleverly optimises video playback based on a user’s internet connection speed.

The BBC is also releasing the new BBC iPlayer Desktop and a cross-platform manager. These new tools “will allow Windows, Mac, and Linux users to download BBC programmes, including those in HD.”

HD for the masses

The BBC already runs a dedicated HD channel, so the availability of HD programming on the iPlayer is a logical next-gen improvement.

“Introducing HD streams [allows] users to enjoy BBC programmes in HD without a set-top box,” said the Beeb’s head of digital media tech, Anthony Rose.

“The new adaptive bitrate technology and speed diagnostics page help optimise the viewing experience, while the resizable window gives users flexibility to switch between different quality streams, hopefully leading to a more satisfying experience overall,” Rose added.

Robin Hood, Doctor Who, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and many other core BBC shows are already filmed in HD. For a full list of high-def shows, see: www.bbc.co.uk/bbchd.

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