topic Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September? in Other TVs

BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

huxley123 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:18:44 GMT

I've just opened the iPlayer app on my Sony Bravia KDL-40CX523 TV and am faced with a message stating this version of iPlayer is being discontinued in September.

Is there going to be a new version I can use or does this mean iPlayer won't work at all on my TV after September?

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:39:24 GMT

Waiting for confirmation - from my mum - who also has a 2011 TV

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:27:42 GMT

Hi there

My mum has confirmed that she does NOT get this message. She has a 2011 TV and has the latest firmware installed.

I understand you also have the latest FW installed (acording to another forum), therefore I think it might be a good idea if you could take a photo of that message and post back the results - just incase its not related. Also more information on exactly what you are pressing to get that message.

Cheers

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

NettyLouise — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:52:29 GMT

I've just noticed this message on my KDL-24EX320. I will be very miffed if Sony don't provide an update for this. It's bad enough that I can no longer access radio via iplayer on my TV.

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 21:10:39 GMT

Hi all

The BBC in its infinate wisdom has decided to throw a nice curve-ball. (Kudos to Huxley for the information)

This is from the BBC Website:

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/connected/closing_version2_iPlayer

I will endevour to find as much information as possible and pass it on to you all.

Cheers

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Tommmo — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 07:30:15 GMT

I already posted in another thread so won't go over that again .http://community.sony.co.uk/t5/televisions/kdl-40cx523-amp-long-programmes-on-iplayer/m-p/1724479#M21074.

I have 2 televisions and one Bluray player all of which will go silent in September. Am I angry? Not half. Can't the BBC just freeze a basic version and keep server support running longer? We don't need all the bells and whistles just simple catch up.

Ian.

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

jumpsuit — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 10:30:39 GMT

ROFL at the BBC stating "this wouldnt be an efficient use of the license fee."

Paying £25m to outgoing executives between 2009 - 2012 was?

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 10:46:13 GMT

Yes, Fully agree jumpsuit. I have some very strong opinons on this and the BBC - and have to constrain myself at this moment - awaiting confirmation though - just in-case its in error.

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 11:03:50 GMT

More information has been posted by the BBC on their blog:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/internet/posts/New-BBC-iPlayer-for-Connected-TVs-update

Back in March, we started rolling out a new version of BBC iPlayer: designed for a multiscreen world, so the experience is consistent, but optimised across PC, tablet, mobile and TV devices. We’ve had some great feedback so far, but lots of you have been asking when new BBC iPlayer will be coming to the devices you have. So today, I can update you on the roll-out on Connected TVs.

As I outlined in my previous post, over time, we are looking to migrate the majority of all existing devices to the new version. However, with BBC iPlayer now available on over 1,200 devices, this is a major task and will take a bit of time. Today, I am happy to announce the next wave of devices is ready to go.

These include (by device):

TVs:

Bush (2014), Celcus (2014), Cello (2012), Digihome (2014), Finlux (2014), Hitachi (2014), JVC (2014), LG (2014),Linstar (2014), Luxor (2014), Panasonic (2014) Philips (2014), Polariod (2014), Samsung (2010, 2011, 2014), Sharp (2014), Sony (2011, 2014), Toshiba (2012, 2013, 2014), Vestel (2012)

Blu-Ray:

LG (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Panasonic (2013, 2014), Samsung (2011, 2012, 2014), Sony (2012, 2013, 2014), Toshiba (2014)

Set-top boxes:

Bush (2014), Hitachi (2014), LG (2012), Tesco-Technika (2012), Western Digital (2010, 2011, 2012)

These will be rolled out over the coming week.

The eagle-eyed amongst you will see the list above includes a number of devices that are currently using our ‘Bigscreen’ version of BBC iPlayer - which launched over five years ago and is currently only being used by 0.1% of BBC iPlayer users.

With this in mind, limited resources, and new BBC iPlayer rolled out to over 85% users, we’ve had to make the tough call to retire the ‘Bigscreen’ version. This means that from next month (September 2014) some devices that are using this ‘Bigscreen’ version on some TVs, Blu-Ray devices and PCs connected to TVs will no longer have access to BBC iPlayer. There are lots of other devices that can access BBC iPlayer and for the full list please refer to the BBC iPlayer help pages.

Please note that we have a similar looking service based on MHEG technology for Freesat compatible devices. This is not closing in September.

Q. What about the versions of BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media Tivo, YouView, BT Vision and other devices?

A. We are working with YouView, Virgin Media and BT to bring new BBC iPlayer to these platforms. Whilst I cannot announce dates, we are targeting this year for these platforms. Similarly, other devices on our legacy version of BBC iPlayer will be migrated to the new version this year as well.

Q. You said Xbox One was coming soon – any update there?

A. Yes. I am happy to announce that we’re aiming to launch new BBC iPlayer on Xbox One by the end of this year.

We have completed four releases to this product since we launched out of preview in May – this has included a number of fixes and improvements to performance of the product on all devices. Some of you will have noticed better video playback performance, clearer labeling and a number of other minor improvements that we have made in response to both audience feedback and usage data.

As always, I love hearing your feedback, so please drop me a note below with suggestions for how we can make BBC iPlayer even better on Connected TVs.

So from what I gather, the BBC is discontinuing one version "Big Screen" and rollingout a new version.

Cheers

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

huxley123 — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 16:50:49 GMT

"this wouldn't be an efficient use of the license fee."

They'll have a lot less license fee revenue to work with if they carry on like this.

Surely ensuring it plays on TVs, most of which will be used in homes with a licence, should be more important than making it work on devices which don't need a licence to use it on?

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:02:05 GMT

@huxley123 wrote:

"this wouldn't be an efficient use of the license fee."

They'll have a lot less license fee revenue to work with if they carry on like this.

Im not a fan of the BBC Tax - but they do have an uncanny knack of misappropriation of our money. Wasting a vast fortune on salaries and goldern handshakes, and various other wasteful things. The iPlayer is one of their most successful technologies, yet they do this.

As I said in another thread, there is a lot of confusion at the moment. Sit thight for a week or so and we;ll see how it all plays out. It might be all good in the end - its just they havnet communicated this effectively at all. If not, I am sure they will be in-undated with complaints.

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Simon.Feather — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:46:35 GMT

I have a BDP-S185 Blu-ray player which we bought in May 2012 - this too has started displaying the "iPlayer will stop working in September" message. This is really bad news for us, as this is the only way we watch, using the Blu-ray player hooked up to a projector - we don't have a TV at all. This doesn't feel like "an older device" to me! The latest available firmware update has been applied (I check regularly). My children will be very disappointed if they can't watch their favourite CBeebies programmes! Please let us know what is happening - will Sony issue a firmware update to point this device at the new iPlayer service? If so, when? Or have I got to go out and and buy another device?

Thanks

Simon Feather

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 10:57:51 GMT

Hi there

I am waiiting for an Sony's official answer on thier position on this BBC annoucement and what devices it affects. However I have been told that "this is way more complex than just a decision to stop a certain service."

i think there are a few things at play here, such as technical aspects on what the BBC wish to achieve. As well as internal politics between manufactureres and the BBC.

In my opinion 2011/2012 devices are not "old" so this is why I am flabbergasted at the way the BBC has gone about this.

As soon as I receive any information - I will update this thread.

Cheers

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Simon.Feather — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:24:15 GMT

Thanks, Quinnicus

I've just seen the following comment in a reply posted in the BBC Blog you referenced:

"With regard to the Sony 2011 TVs, these are included in this migration but I believe there are other device identifiers that we needed to include in this release. We will resolve this soon."

... So maybe, if someone can simply provide a list of relevant device identifiers (such as my Blu-ray player) to Auntie, all may not be lost?

... or are we still likely to need a firmware update from Sony (or a new device.... )?

Looking forward to the results of your digging!

best regards

Simon Feather

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Grimgreybeard — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:03:11 GMT

I have the same Blu-ray player and also use it mainly to watch BBC i-player - I bought the model specifically for this function. Most unhappy with this situation. Surely Sony have enough clout with the Beeb to rectify this?

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Danielcoz — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 15:00:06 GMT

Hi - thanks for looking into this.

There's new message on the BBC site saying Sony is working to migrate 2011 TVs.

Can you confirm my TV KDL-40EX723 is a 2011 TV. the printed manual is dated 2011 so I hope so

thanks

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 15:13:34 GMT

Hi There

I can confim that the EX723 TV is a 2011 model.

Cheers

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Simon.Feather — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 15:32:43 GMT

Has anyone else noticed that the BBC's blog entry for this (as identified above by Quinnicus) is now showing "this entry is closed for comments"?

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 15:47:47 GMT

Thats normal. The BBC dont normally keep comments open "for ever", especially on weekends due to lack of moderation etc.

Re: BBC iPlayer on Sony Bravia discontinued in September?

Grimgreybeard — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 16:36:04 GMT

Tch! So they are updating 2011 TVs but not my 2012 Bluray player. Typical.