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How to download TV programmes
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How to download TV programmes
If you are planning to download your favourite television programme from the BBC iPlayer or Channel 4’s 4oD service you need to know a bit about how peer-to-peer (P2P) software works and how it uses space on your computer.
About P2P software
To download programmes from the BBC iPlayer or other TV download service you need to join its P2P network. Once you have, you’ll be able to download programmes and will become part of the network where other iPlayer users can access the content to download.
You need to be aware that P2P software often will work in the background of your other computer functions and will eat up your usage limit. Because of the way that BBC iPlayer, 4oD, and Sky Player (www.Sky.com), work, they will continually upload and download data as long as your computer is on. These programs can look like they’ve been turned off even when they’re still running in the background so you need to make sure that you have completely exited them if you want them to stop running.
These programs - and the iPlayer in particular - have faced a rash of criticism from broadband providers because they are so bandwidth demanding, but there is a reason that they use P2P file sharing rather than traditional download methods.
Tips to help things run smoothly
- Change the settings on the program so that you are not part of the P2P network
- Change the settings on the download manager of the program you’re using to ensure it doesn’t automatically start up when your PC turns on and doesn’t stay connected to the P2P network once you’ve closed it
- Consider file sizes - most sites, including the BBC iPlayer will state the size of the files you can download. Keep an eye on how much you’ve downloaded to ensure that you don’t exceed your monthly usage limit
- Use our free Broadband Download Monitor track your downloads and set alarms so that you never exceed your monthly limit
- Keep an eye on family members - according to a recent Omnibus survey for BroadbandChoices.co.uk, 82 per cent of parents rely on a verbal agreement with their children to control their behaviour online - yet 48 per cent of children confessed to downloading music and photos. Parents should certainly consider installing parental control software to track and restrict the sites that children can access
- Try downloading over night. Many ISPs won’t count night time downloads against your allowance and programmes will also download faster as there’ll be less people on the network during off-peak hours
Download penalties
Even if you have an “unlimited” download package, you will also have a fair usage policy, which that imposes penalties such as speed throttling for “excessive usage”.
ISP penalties include reducing connection speeds, restricting usage at peak times, or charging for excess usage. In extreme cases your ISP might terminate even your contract, cutting internet access until the user can establish a new connection.
Programme availability
- Sky Player allows viewers to download and stream programmes from Sky. The shows are only available for a week after transmission
- BBC iPlayer offers programmes from the last seven days and once you’ve started watching you have 30 days to finish
- Channel 4’s 4oD offers the last 30 days of television as downloads
Statistics
BBC programmes have been streamed or downloaded more than 17 million times since the TV catch-up service was fully launched on Christmas day 2007, according to BBC figures. The most popular shows available on the iPlayer - such as Tortchwood, Ashes to Ashes and Doctor Who - are each attracting around 50,000 hits per day. The BBC iPlayer, which was improved from its beta version before being relaunched, has also helped to boost visits to the BBC website. Traffic to BBC.co.uk increased by 29 per cent year on year for January - a total of 20 million unique viewers a week.
As well as the new BBC iPlayer statistics, the BBC revealed that its free download service is now available on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch and other portable media players.
Illegal downloads
Consumers should be very wary of illegal options for television programme downloads. As well as being illegal, files can contain viruses, tracking cookies and other corrupt files that you didn’t intend to download. Downloads are often of poor quality.
Related Articles:
TV Downloads Criticised
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