Re: [backstage] Bad links/Broken pages in iPlayer.

[Brian Butterworth]

2009/1/15 Duncan Barclay 

> Hello.  Been quite a long time since I actually posted on this list, so
> sorry for this slightly bug report focused post.
>
> I have had some really weird bugs with iPlayer lately.  A few days ago, I
> went to http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/comedy/tv , clicked on
> "Most Recent", and found myself in the welsh version of the site. Thinking
> something weird was happening, I tried again, checked the address (the
> address changed to the address for the welsh site, so I think it was the
> link pointing me to the wrong place), and then tried on my laptop, which
> worked fine (and again on my desktop, which was still broken).


Yes, I got that the other day, a /cy/ had slipped into the path somewhere
along the line.  I think it happened for me by clicking on a Welsh programme
and then not using my back button.


>
>
> Today I went to do the same thing for the Factual category, and instead of
> getting a list of programs, I was shown a 1x180px black image, with the
> correct address for the list of programmes in the address bar.  I am fairly
> sure I have had this happen in the past as well.


This has happened for me too.  Sometimes the slider bars don't have images
when you view a page with them on, if you scroll they "get stuck half way"
and ctrl-F5 is needed.


>
>
> These do seem like the kind of bugs that are incredibly difficult to track
> down, and have both fixed themselves fairly quickly.  Any suggestions on
> what could be causing them? I am assuming some caching somewhere is
> breaking, but would be interesting to know of any other potential causes.


> On a slightly more positive note, the iPlayer really is a fantastic
> service, so thanks for that.


Yes, it's a world beater.   If only the world could use it.(Nation shall
speak peace unto nation, but not if BBC Worldwide can claim it can exploit
the market first).


>
>
> Thanks,
> Duncan
>



-- 

Brian Butterworth

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web: http://www.ukfree.tv - independent digital television and switchover
advice, since 2002

Re: [backstage] Iplayer the best video experience online?

[Jim Tonge]

Apologies for revisiting an old thread, and for the stream-of- 
consciousness rant.


After the suggestion of comparing Hulu to iPlayer, I found a proxy  
that lets me stream fast enough to watch Hulu. It's a great service,  
and I particularly love the (actually rather obvious) ability to embed  
videos. HBO content would make it King.


The clips they litter the site with merely serve to be rather  
irritating when you're looking for an episode however, and having to  
use a proxy makes it a PITA.


So, to the point: any plans to allow embedding of iPlayer content? Is  
the service providing access to content, or driving traffic to  
bbc.co.uk?


I realise this question is probably going to open up a huge can of  
worms, so I'll add further impractical thoughts before the inevitable...


Allowing embedding of user-specified clips (ie marking an in- and out- 
point) could be a nice way of allowing 'water cooler' moments to be  
easily shared, promoting shows in exactly the way music companies have  
failed to promote their artists in the current YouTube audio-removal  
debacle.


Oh, while I'm on a roll, any plans for a Wii/PS3-friendly interface à  
la Youtube for Television?


Thoughts?

cheers,

jim



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