BBC halts iPlayer's iPhone stream 'hack'

The BBC has put an end to an exploit which allowed people to download its TV shows permanently, according to the network's news agency. By altering the user string of a URL on a desktop system, people were able to fool the BBC iPlayer into thinking it was operating on an iPhone or iPod touch. While the latter devices are only able to stream shows from iPlayer, the exploit enabled Mac or PC users to save clips, which could then be played any time after the seven-day window the BBC sets for iPlayer material.

PC users can legitimately save videos through a native iPlayer client, but DRM restrictions still cause the files to expire after seven days. A Mac client has been promised for 2008, and one may also be developed for the Apple TV. The service is provided only to residents of the UK, who must pay a license fee for TV access.

Filed under: iPod, iPhone, hacks
Other story tags: video, iPod touch, TV, UK, BBC, iPlayer

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219647 03/13, 10:51am, EDT not that important

Honestly, who needs this hack? Streaming video on iPlayer is of lower quality than downloadable, why do you want to record it?

posted by ViktorCode

219656 03/13, 11:49am, EDT Yeah baby!

I have to say, I got pretty excited when I saw the screen clip for this article (above). Who at MacNN is the Richard Dawkins' fan?

Go RD.

posted by schwie

219693 03/13, 4:05pm, EDT Re: not that important

Yet it's the same concern the labels have over streaming audio over the internet.

posted by testudo

219719 03/13, 7:39pm, EDT iPod?

Viktor - because while the quality isn't good enough for large screen viewing, it is 'iPod' quality, and a lot cheaper than iTunes (and unlike ripping DVDs no need to downsize to iPod resolution).

posted by JulesLt

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