topic Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file? in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

fotobits — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:43:20 GMT

I can no longer download TV programmes using iPlayer Desktop (to view later, not streaming video).....I understand there's currently a problem with the service and I have tried downloadfing using Windows Media.
Although the wmv file downloads OK I cannot open it, an Error Message indicates that I am not authorised.
An accompanying website address does not open.
Please can anyone offer me guidance?
Regards......

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

VileReynard — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:31:08 GMT

I've only found ~~one~~ two (radio) program which fails.
e.g.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mtm6q/Brian_Aldiss_Presents_Brian_Aldiss_Presents_Impostor/ - this works
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00m9p2w/Hothouse_Episode_1/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mdx7n/Hothouse_Episode_2/
These fail - they don't even playback...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pgqf2/Red_Dwarf_Infinity_Welcomes_Careful_Drivers_Episode_4/ - this works...

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

jelv — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:45:14 GMT

Is it a problem with flash player (have you recently updated)? http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,105461.0.html

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

VileReynard — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:51:59 GMT

No - but I think Adobe have stopped offering flash updates for Linux.
In any case I can download some radio and all video with get_iplayer - which doesn't need flash player.
Example

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

shutter — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:17:39 GMT

@ fotobits
Have you tried to convert the .wmv file? to another format.... e.g MP4 or DIVX or AVI ?
You can do this with.... ATUBE CATCHER free download from here.....http://atube-catcher.dsnetwb.com/video/

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

fotobits — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:10:24 GMT

Many thanks everyone.
ATUBE CATCHER looks interesting, 'though I've not managed a conversion yet, seems to report a fault. I'll persevere.
I guess I'll want to play the video in Windows Media. Will the formats you suggest do the trick, shutter?
Trying those conversions don't manage to complete.
I'll have another go when I can spend a bit of time.
Thanks and regards....

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

ejs — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:52:18 GMT

If you can't open a WMV file in Windows Media Player, it's probably one of:

the file is protected by DRM but you can't acquire a license

the file is corrupt

it's not actually a WMV file

If you can't play the file for one of those reasons, you probably won't be able to convert it either.

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

fotobits — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:13:20 GMT

Many thanks ejs.
I think I'll give up!
I presume others are having problems with downloading into iPlayer Desktop and the BBC will sort it, in due course.
Regards.....

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

shutter — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:20:27 GMT

@ fotobits
As ejs said....if it is corrupt or protected, you won`t be able to convert it..
You might like to have a look at GOM player, which is also free,
so you can play many different file formats, and not be stuck with .wmv for windows media player...

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:28:18 GMT

It looks like the BBC are aware of a download problem with the iPlayer desktop, as the following link was posted 4 days ago - http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/announcements/programme_latest_issues
As an aside, the iPlayer desktop on Linux relies on having the latest version of Adobe AIR- which Adobe have already withdrawn support for - http://helpx.adobe.com/air/kb/install-32-bit-air-linux.html
In the past I have tried downloading the wmv files, with the intention of trying to stream them from a networked hard drive to my set-top DLNA player, but I have never managed to work out how to get the DRM working.

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

fotobits — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 07:33:42 GMT

Many thanks purleigh and shutter.
I guess it'll be best for me to wait 'til the BBC sorts it out.....I just thought they'd do it rather more quickly, it's been such a good service so far.
Regards....

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

VileReynard — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:09:07 GMT

Quote from: purleigh
It looks like the BBC are aware of a download problem with the iPlayer desktop, as the following link was posted 4 days ago - http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/announcements/programme_latest_issues
As an aside, the iPlayer desktop on Linux relies on having the latest version of Adobe AIR- which Adobe have already withdrawn support for - http://helpx.adobe.com/air/kb/install-32-bit-air-linux.html

You don't need AIR to run get_iplayer - well I've never loaded it, ever!
Furthermore, the BBC don't use DRM for their programmes - although they do obfuscate the format in which these programmes are supplied.

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

ejs — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:17:02 GMT

The get_iplayer webpage says the BBC do use DRM on the WMV files and Adobe Air downloadable files. The flash streams don't use DRM, since the streams are only available for a limited time.

Re: iPlayer Desktop hitch, so how do I open a wmv Windows Media file?

fotobits — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:11:58 GMT

I see that BBC Support appear to resolved the iPlayer Desktop problem, however, they confirm that some Users are still having problems.
Up to a few minutes ago, I was one of those Users!
However, a contributor to the BBC Forum suggested ".....close iPlayer, go to your repository and delete all folders that are too small to hold programmes....."
My Repository Folder contained various files and fragments that when cleared, iPlayer Desktop worked again!
If there are others with this issue, I hope it helps as it helped me!
Regards and thanks everyone who have responded to my original query.....