Please help us by taking our survey
macnn/ipodnn

03/13/2008, 9:55am, EDT

Thursday, March 13th

BBC halts iPlayer's iPhone stream 'hack'

The BBC has put an end to an exploit which allowed people to download its TV shows permanently, according to the network's news agency. By altering the user string of a URL on a desktop system, people were able to fool the BBC iPlayer into thinking it was operating on an iPhone or iPod touch. While the latter devices are only able to stream shows from iPlayer, the exploit enabled Mac or PC users to save clips, which could then be played any time after the seven-day window the BBC sets for iPlayer material.

PC users can legitimately save videos through a native iPlayer client, but DRM restrictions still cause the files to expire after seven days. A Mac client has been promised for 2008, and one may also be developed for the Apple TV. The service is provided only to residents of the UK, who must pay a license fee for TV access.


Filed under: iPod, iPhone, hacks
Other story tags: iPod touch, video, TV, UK, BBC, iPlayer

, , 4comments, del.icio.us, slashdot, digg, buzz, 


4 comments
Reader Reactions (Please use <i></i> for italic text)

subscribe to comments
for this article




Expand All   Global Settings
ViktorCode
not that important
0
03/13, 10:51am, EDT
Honestly, who needs this hack? Streaming video on iPlayer is of lower quality than downloadable, why do you want to record it?
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jan 2006
User is offline
schwie
Yeah baby!
0
03/13, 11:49am, EDT
I have to say, I got pretty excited when I saw the screen clip for this article (above). Who at MacNN is the Richard Dawkins' fan?

Go RD.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2006
User is offline
testudo
Re: not that important
0
03/13, 4:05pm, EDT
Yet it's the same concern the labels have over streaming audio over the internet.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2001
User is offline
JulesLt
iPod?
0
03/13, 7:39pm, EDT
Viktor - because while the quality isn't good enough for large screen viewing, it is 'iPod' quality, and a lot cheaper than iTunes (and unlike ripping DVDs no need to downsize to iPod resolution).
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jul 2005
User is offline
Your Comments

In order to post comments: If you are a registered member, please login with your MacNN Forums username and password otherwise please uncheck the checkbox below.


Registered Member?
macnn forums login:

macnn forums password:

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

Buy from the Apple Store The Apple Store: Get great deals on the iPod video, iPod Radio Remote, Refurbished iPods starting at $79, iPod shuffle or iPod nano with free engraving, other iPod accessories for the road, or education discounts on iPods.

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

IT Education and Training at University of Phoenix®: View our complete list of Information Technology Courses and Programs. Official Site.

Get an IT Degree Online: Get solid credentials. Take your hobby to the next level. Adult Programs. Affordable.


Buy from The Apple Store, iTunes.com, Amazon.com, TechDepot, OfficeDepot, Computers4Sure, or donate.