Download TV shows from the BBC iPlayer as MP4

(UK only, obviously)

In Firefox's about:config, set general.useragent.extra.firefox to iPhone.

Load a show in the iPlayer.

Run this bookmarklet: iPlayLater

You should then get a prompt to download the file.

It's just over 200MB for an hour-long programme, so please don't abuse the privilege. As Ian Forrester says, it should ideally be easy to stream the shows in any player without this kind of hack (one of the main reasons for doing this is that the streaming Flash player doesn't switch off the system screensaver like VLC does, so the screen goes off every 15 minutes).

March 8, 2008

Comments

Steve beat me to it only because of my crap net connection ;)

I couldn't get it to stream, only download - VLC wouldn't open the authenticated URL. Let me know if you do get it working.

Posted by: Phil Wilson on March 8, 2008 1:40 PM [Reply]

It is great to see the BBC taking risks with the iPlayer platform.

It is such a shame that licences restrict access to people outside the UK- even poor convict colonies like Australia.

Posted by: Adi Smith on March 9, 2008 11:34 PM [Reply]

It is such a shame that licences restrict access to people outside the UK- even poor convict colonies like Australia.

No its not people in the UK have to pay a TV licence to the BBC (120 POUNDS soo to be 150 pounds). But I think the world sould get it for free.

Posted by: Frank on June 1, 2008 11:41 AM [Reply]

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