How to watch BBCiplayer and 4OD on my tv

sec79

I'd like to be able to watch tv programmes I miss on bbc iplayer and 4OD on my main tv. I don't want to subscribe to sky or virgin in order to be able to do this.

I just wondered how you can watch these chanels please without subscribing to sky or virgin? I don't know if I would need to to purchase some kind of settop box or a tv with specific features?

I'd be looking for a 37 or 40 inch which also has built in hd freeview. Any advice much welcomed thanks.

TomB_88

I have a Playstation 3 with intenet access which allows me to watch programmes on iPlayer and 4od i would maybe suggest buying a cheap console with internet access works well for me.

Nilrem

In the next year or so I think Project Canvas STB's should start to be available (unless Sky or VM manage to kill it off), which would do exactly what you want (the idea is to have an STB that can be hooked up to any internet connection and provide an easy portal to various VOD services).

Until then, I think most of the current consoles have Iplayer apps, or if you can locate a cheap laptop or mini PC with a suitable connection you can hook them up to the internet, and your TV for VOD content (i think it would only require a fairly low end unit).
We currently have an old P4 system hooked up to our lounge TV via it's VGA port and aux audio inputs for playback of DVD's, VOD and other related content (most LCD TV's have a VGA connection, which works fine for older PC's/laptops, or with a PC/laptop with a DVI out you can use a DVI to HDMI connection).

daveyjp

Freesat HD has BBC iplayer, but not 4OD. You will need a STB which can connect to the internet - Humax Freesat HD box does.

Otherwise a PC and a cable to output PC to the TV will work.

almillar

Panasonic G20 (and others) has FreesatHD built in. Anything with FreesatHD can or will be able to get iPlayer. ITV player launching in Autumn too. 4OD should be on it's way. G20 can also do YouTube etc, and this IPTV stuff is being added to all the time. This is the solution that saves having a set-top box.

savemoney

Only way to do this is via pc/laptop connected to tv at mo

You can watch iplayer via wii, humax hdr freesat box, maybe a few others freesat boxes (you need to check) and I think ps3 does iplayer now

The 4od player and itvpayer arent supported as yet but as said project canvas maybe the way forward but you need a new box which isnt available as yet and subject to being allowed as Virgin/sky arent happy about it

poe.tuesday

Nilrem wrote: »

In the next year or so I think Project Canvas STB's should start to be available (unless Sky or VM manage to kill it off), which would do exactly what you want (the idea is to have an STB that can be hooked up to any internet connection and provide an easy portal to various VOD services).

it's now called youview and hopefully will come into action soon - however, it still comes from your internet so there are always going to be issues with it as regards to download speeds/buffering and all that

socks_uk

We just connect our laptop to the TV like the TV is a monitor. Luckily our TV takes both S-lead (yellow tip) and a monitor cable (blue connector). We have some speakers that we plug into the laptop too.
It's easier with a laptop but can also be done with a desktop computer... it all depends if your TV accepts a monitor cable or S-lead

hanwellmike

There is another option to connecting your PC to the tv. You can buy a media player. This device connects to your tv like a DVD player but they are much smaller. You can plug in a flash drive or external hard drive to the media player and it will play your files on the tv. You get a remote control with the media player.

There are a few media boxes around £70-80 on the market. Eg WD TV HD, Asus O!Play, AC Ryan Play On. The Sumvision Cyclone is only £20 and has good reviews.

I have the WD TV HD box and it's great for movies. The only problem might be if your file types were unusual and the media box did not recognise them and could not play them.

I believe that some of these boxes will connect to the internet and stream internet direct to your tv, thus removing the need to download and transfer to flash drive.

There are of course DVD players on the market (eg Philips) which have USB ports and they will play the most common file types (eg . avi).

System

Another options is a Nintendo Wii - it has IPlayer functionality.
You can get second hand ones from about £60.

Fifer

I use a small format PC (dual core ATom 330/Nvidia ION graphics) similar to the Acer Revo, hooked up to the internet and by HDMI to the TV. I use NevermissTV (which autoruns at startup) as a technophobe/wife friendly front-end and drive it with a cheap Cyberlink Mediacentre remote control. It's not the cheapest solution, but it works brilliantly, can act as a PVR with additional (free) software, is a great web browser and is a pretty much full blown PC (or at least high powered netbook equivalent) to boot.

NevemissTV is a great piece of free software.