iPlayer no longer supported - stand-alone replacement iPlayer device??

Mel_P

Mel_P

Mel_P

Soldato
Joined
27 Feb 2004
Posts
2,575
Location
Kent
Hello,

I have a Panasonic freesat Hard Disc / Bluray recorder. Which currently does what we want. Records 2 channels onto HDD or bluray, allows me to archive things onto bluray when the HDD begins to get full AND when needed plays programmes we missed from iPlayer.

BUT from Sept 16th the BBC have stated via a banner page before iPlayer runs that the version of iPlayer the Panasonic runs will no longer be supported and no update will be provided. Sucks!!

The TV itself does not provide iPlayer.

Question - I have an internet connection next to the TV and want a "simple" (ha!) device that will plug into the internet (LAN cable) and TV (hdmi) and allow me to access iPlayer, ITV player, 5-whatever its called, 4-whatever it's called (i.e. catch up services). No other service is needed. I used to use the WD box for iPlayer but that version was abandoned by the BBC as was being able to use the Wii to access iPlayer TV and radio.

So I just need a stand-alone catch up TV player as the result of BBC etc abandoning older equipment. Any ideas please?

Thanks, Mel
 
1. I will not touch Sky with bargepole!

2. I want a stand-alone box I can buy with NO ongoing costs

3. Now-TV is for streaming live TV and movies - I don't want these.

Apart from that, thanks!!
 
Sorry - thought I knew best! Having read a review Now Tv does do catch up services and there is no ongoing costs. The same review - and further posts have beaten me into listening to others (I AM now listening - SORRY!!!!!)

http://www.trustedreviews.com/now-tv-box-review

The same review I read however did say now TV is only 720 "HD Ready" and not full HD 1080 (which my TV is) so I need to look at the other suggestions to see which are full HD

THANKs to all (chastened, listening Mel). (I still don't like Sky though!)
 
As you say the Amazon fire TV looks a good choice as I want to use Ethernet. Wifi s bit weak near TV and 500AV homeplugs already installed. It outputs 1080p and does catch up (for Free) and wants you to buy lots of other things once you have one!. Available for same price with 2 year warranty so will take a look around nearer 16th Sept. Thanks all.
 
To help grandchildren who are learning coding, I am having a raspberry Pi 3 microcomputer for my birthday and whilst surfing re the above came across info that with a raspberry pi3, a smartphone and kodi, a Catch up TV player can be produced. Well - I have a few weeks to play with this and see if it works!

http://www.alphr.com/media-centres/...an-xbmc-media-center-build-a-fully-functional

BUT I expect it will be a bit flakey (and not user friendly) and only I will be able to use it, and end up buying an Amazon 4k fire TV device so the whole family can use it ! Thanks, Mel
 
Last edited:
Craig321 said:
I did have the above for a while and it worked, but as you say, it can be a bit flakey as when BBC / 4od / whoever change something, it can take weeks for the add-on developer to update it. I went Amazon in the end as it'll be an official app for each catch up service which will be kept up to date for a good few years.
Click to expand...

I expect I will follow your journey - just to see if I can. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Mel
 
Thanks all.

So I will:

1. try my Pi 3 with kodi - just to see until service actually ends.

Meanwhile:

2. investigate 4k Fire TV box as probable first choice as probably better support
3. possible android box as alternative to Amazon device.
 
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