Watching BBC iplayer, itvcatchup

JSAH

Hi,
After reading Martin's warning of watching iplayer and using more download allowance than your isp allows I am a little confused. Forgive my ignorance.... does this mean; if I watch bbc TV on my computer (not a catchup or iplayer programme) I will be using my download limit? If I watch an iplayer or catchup programme will I be using my download usage or is this only used up if you download the programme to your computer to be watched at a later date? Confused!!!

ads_2

You will be eating in to your download limit using any of the techniques you describe.

When you are watching a programme on your computer (iplayer catchup or live TV) you are downloading what is sometimes referred to as streaming video. This uses some of your download allowance.

When you download a programme to watch later, you are still using some of your download allowance.

JSAH

I only have 2GB monthly downloadable allowance but I frequently watch live programmes via my computer and have not been charged any extra for this usage. Maybe if you are streaming then you don't use as much as 600mb as mentioned in Martin's warning?

vodkandredbull

When you download a programme it tells you exactly how much you are going to use.

A quick look on the iplayer website tells me that Last of the summer wine uses 321mb, so if you have a 2gb that would eat into a large chunk of that. (1024mb = 1gb)

If you download it rather than stream then you also "share" your copy with other people, so you are using some of your bandwidth to send the data to to other people. This continues whilst the iplayer desktop program is running - even if you're not watching anything.

If you are "streaming" then you are downloading the next 5 seconds or so and then its being thrown away, so streaming uses much less bandwidth than downloading, but more liable to interruption.

You also need to have an understanding what your download limit is and what happens when you get close. Some ISPs will send you a friendly warning letter but let you continue, some will cut you off, and some will charge you for going over. I'm with Virgin Media and there is no download limit as such, but if you get close to their "acceptable use" then they slow you right down...but you have to download a lot .

2gb...are you on a 3g broadband network? Who is your provider?

JSAH

My limit is 2gb and I am with Sky.

I have been streaming programmes for ages and not been charged any extra money for going over my useage (if I have gone over).

The_FD

JSAH wrote: »

My limit is 2gb and I am with Sky.

I have been streaming programmes for ages and not been charged any extra money for going over my useage (if I have gone over).

Sounds like you haven't gone over then!

Often some ISP's have free usage from 23:00 till 07:00. So download the programme then and watch when it is convenient for you.

Check with your ISP though as they do differ and the hours differ also.

[Deleted User]

There are alternatives out there, most which you have to pay for, but this is a nice, neat, bandwidth usage application:

http://download.cnet.com/WatchWAN/3000-2381_4-10520334.html

Decent reviews too. I'd suggest you download this and use it to see how much bandwidth you really are using. Do remember you'd need to install this on each PC in the household for a true representation.

For anyone that's interested in this app have a read of this too:

http://duf.sourceforge.net/watchwan/why.htm

Quite an interesting read.

culpepper

How about getting a dvb tuner that plugs into the usb?
I have one on my laptop, it is a freeview receiver so you still need a tv licence even if you dont have a tv but then ,dont you for viewing iplayer and catch up anyway?
The tuner sends the programes to your computer without using your broadband and so no downloads and you can schedule recording too. Mine has a feature that lets you record another program while watching one at the same time.
I got mine in maplins for around £24 I think. It picks up all the channels that our freview box does and comes with a little ariel that does the job well.

knowledgepower1

I think the issue of download limit applies to Dongle users only.If you are a home broadband user,they just throttle your line at intervals.

billesniper

I asked on the forum other day if streaming was classed as downloading and was told it was including BBCi programes.

As I have a Virgin 2mb deal at ten pounds a month which runs out next month I phoned Virgin and was told the only low cost deal they would offer is their new s 2mb service at £14 a month on a twelve month contract which I thought would be o.k but in the answers I got on the forum people said look at the restrictions being placed on the Virgin s supply which I did and it means my service would soon quickly reach the limits Virgin are putting on the s supply, so I have had too go back to Virgin and take the 10mb supply at £15 a month for the first three months and then £20 per month for remainder of the contract.

The only other thing I managed to get from them is a new modem!! big deal as my old one is seven years old.

Please don't tell me to shop around as I've been happy with my cable broadband supply, and don't want to get into land line broadband.

It seems that Virgin are being very greedy in times of hardship.

Swan_2

culpepper wrote: »

How about getting a dvb tuner that plugs into the usb?
I have one on my laptop, it is a freeview receiver so you still need a tv licence even if you dont have a tv but then ,dont you for viewing iplayer and catch up anyway?

at the moment you don't need a tv licence to watch iplayer & catchup, only if you're watching or recording television as it's being broadcast