Loading ...Jan 21 2010
Sony yesterday released their latest software (1.630SA) to enable BBC iPlayer on all their Freesat built-in Sony televisions. If you have one of these televisions, you should now be able to access BBC iPlayer from BBC1 by pressing the red button followed by code 5483. (instructions on how to connect your Sony television to the Internet to receive iPlayer can be found here)
Other manufacturers will be added as and when they have carried out the initial testing with the BBCi Tech Team. All Freesat HD receivers are expected to have BBC iPlayer enabled within the next few months.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Hi Admin, In your posting it says ‘All Freesat receivers are expected to have BBC iPlayer enabled within the next few months.’ Is that all HD receivers or does that also include SD receivers as well?
Thanks
CraigQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Sorry Craig, we have edited, HD receivers only, BBC iPlayer will not launch on SD receivers.
adminQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Why on earth have Panasonic not been at the forfront of this being the first to release freesat enabled TV’s?
DanQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 12:32 pm
ok, thanks admin.
CraigQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I left my tv on standby overnight to get the update but it didnt happen – is there any special way of getting it?
DavidQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 2:18 pm
@ David.. It’s been reported that switching in and out of standby a couple of times will trigger the update.
GaseousClayQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 3:48 pm
the last software update was via their website (saved on USB memory stick and then put into the usb port on the tv) but I see there is no new firmware update on their site. Does anyone know for sure if this update going to be over the air?
neilQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 3:49 pm
@neil
This update is over the air as it was released via DTG yesterday.
adminQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 3:55 pm
brilliant thanks – looking forward to testing it out tonight! Very surprised Sony have been so quick with this to be honest. Well done Sony and Freesat
neilQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 5:04 pm
My new Sony TV offered to update last night as I switched it to standby. I accepted the update and didn’t realise what it was for. I shall check when I get home. Excellent news.
DaveQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Agree with Dan why is their no news or date yet from Panasonic? Disappointed!!
MikeQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 6:34 pm
It’s on Sony TVs first because it was rolled out to my sons PS3 sometime ago so I expect much of the testing and validation was already done.
NooQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Also nothing on LG LF7700 got download December but not work iplayer
Alan MQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Good news on BBCiplayer.
On another point – I have a Humax Foxsat – HDR and couldn’t find how to record a series program. Then last week, all recorded programs in Media had “NEW” next to them and the series choice became available. Do you think the Freesat box received an update?
StringWellsQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Been switching to standby now for the past couple of hours and nothing! Have all the auto update settings set to on but it is not picking up any updates. Does anyone know how to force it to look for software updates (model KDL-40W5810) or is it a case of more patience?! Thanks
neilQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 8:48 pm
This is good news.
On a slightly different note, has anyone got any knowledge of using the Humax or Sony overseas with the BBC iPlayer update?
I know BBC website blocks traffic from overseas and I guess it may do so from TV?
One more observation is that the from what I can see none of the TV’s offer proxy options for the network traffic from a TV, quite limiting in some house networks and the corporate world.
SiYQuote
January 21st, 2010 at 11:54 pm
All works here on a Sony 40V5810 . Received the update yesterday evening as I switched to Standby. . Watched the semi finals of the snooker which I missed on Sat. Great
steveQuote
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
Nothing all night last night, but update kicked in at 8 this morning (40W5810) when put to standby. Initial impressions of iplayer are very good – only tested on higher quality at the moment. Much better than wii version – loads near instantly and much better PQ. Experienced a bit of noise on the sound through the TV speakers (seemed ok through home theatre connected via optical, May need to alter settings on tv for noise suppression. Well done Sony for getting this out so quick!
neilQuote
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
The update is now available on the Sony website.
AndyQuote
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I agree with Dan & Mike.
I bought a Panasonic TH46PZ81B just under 2 years ago, and have only had a couple of software updates.
Come on Panasonic – pull your finger out!
At this rate, I don’t think I’d buy another Panasonic.
MikeQuote
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:47 am
I have a Sony KDL40W5810 and was offered the upgrade automatically few days ago via the air. It works very well and is very quick. It is much quicker that a Humax FoxsatHDR that I also have when using the IPlayer. I’ve had this tv for less than 3 months and in that time have had 2 sofware updates (I via the usb/website) and this over OTA. Well done Sony for keeping this product up-to-date!
FredQuote
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I gave Panasonic customer services a ring. They tell me they are working on it with the BBC but it will still be some time. Maybe if others give them a call too it could hurry them up.
Dave HirstQuote
January 24th, 2010 at 9:03 am
I have a panasonic freesat TV with ethernet connectorat back of TV, also dissapointed that they are behind Sony anyway you mentioned that I player is only on HD channel freesat does that mean its only available on the BBC HD channel and not on the standard BBC channel.
John EmersonQuote
January 24th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Great update, works a charm. Just hope the next one will give divx support.
Big-WayneQuote
January 24th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
It just annoys me that Panasonic were the 1st out with a product and the last to forfill it’s full potential. I have also rung Panasonic’s customer services, so come on the rest of you Panny owners.
DanQuote
January 24th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
@ 12
This has absolutely nothing to do with the PS3, entirely different technologies.
SimonQuote
January 25th, 2010 at 11:11 am
To get the BBCiPlayer do we need to have a satelite dish installed or can you access it direct through the freesat sony tv..also, are there any plans to enable bbciplayer on wi-fi internet enabled tv’s such as the phillips pfl9604..thanks in advance
billyQuote
January 25th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
when will us paupers with a mere goodmans hd box (gasp in horror!) and the like, be allowed to be a part of this wonderous event!!
alnQuote
January 25th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
@23 John Emerson
iPlayer will work with any BBC channel as long as your receiver/TV is freesat HD. Which it is.
@27 billy
This version of iPlayer comes via freesat, so yes you need a satellite dish. The application/software is downloaded via the the freesat red button facilityy (BBCi) and the actual video streams come via the internet.
@28 aln
See the main article at the top of the page! “Other manufacturers will be added as and when they have carried out the initial testing with the BBCi Tech Team. All Freesat HD receivers are expected to have BBC iPlayer enabled within the next few months.”
ChrisQuote
January 25th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
still feel like a pauper (although i couldnt eat a whole one!)
alnQuote
January 25th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Never mind it’s only iPlayer so no big deal.
Richard CrichtonQuote
January 25th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Goodwins? Pah!
Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elder-berries!
Brian DamageQuote
January 26th, 2010 at 9:19 am
and for good reason….which escapes me at the moment!
mark my words..the goodwins will have their day…oh yes!
alnQuote
January 26th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Brian DamageQuote
January 26th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Want Panasonic update…
Want Panasonic update…
Want Panasonic update…
Brian DamageQuote
January 27th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
@26
Please justify your comment. Which technology are you talking about? The hardware? It just that all decent software developers make their code portable between hardware platforms… so different hardware yes, but same libraries and alot of common code I would have thought. Sony’s experience with the Iplayer and PS3 must have affected time to market. Lets face it, Nov/Dec release for these XXX58XX series TVs means Sony wanted them out quick. The project plan would then have been to integrate the Iplayer to gain a market advantage. In 2 months the new TV firmware is available… very unlikely to be new code, more likely a “port”.
NooQuote
January 27th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
@ Noo: iPlayer via Freesat (Sony or anyone else) runs on a MHEG-5, a completely different platform to the PS3′s implementation. In fact, the BBC’s Open iPlayer proposal was about creating the kind of cross-platform standards you describe so that IPTV devices can be created easily, but it was sadly rejected by the BBC Trust
Alex@WotsatQuote
January 27th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I have the Foxsat HD box and the update for iPlayer. When tuned to BBC News I connect to broadband and get the iPlayer graphics, but when I press play to watch a programme nothing happens. Why is that? Is it because I am abroad outside the narrow footprint for BBC One or is it because I do not have a British IP address? Or possibly both? Must the receiver be tuned to BBC One?
DaneQuote
January 28th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Dane – you need a UK IP address.
Al CatrazQuote
January 29th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I emailed Panasonic customer support about getting the BBC iPlayer, just received this reply:
“In response, unfortunately, we have no further information for new services at this time, other than that already displayed on our website. We would suggest that you please keep checking the following website for updates, as any information regarding new services will be added to this site as soon as it becomes available:
http://www.panasonic.co.uk
We are aware that features on Freesat such as BBC iplayer are in beta testing at the moment on some Freesat set-top boxes, but we have no further information on testing with other products
We trust that the above information will be of assistance to you. However, of course, if you should have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0844 844 3852 or email us using the following email address:
customer.care@panasonic.co.uk“.
Not very promising at all! Coincedently, my mates TV crashed and burned this morning. He likes my Freesat Panansonic, but will not be buying one – he is going to get one with iPlayer support. I wonder how many other sales are being lost?
DavidQuote
February 1st, 2010 at 2:23 pm
@37
Thanks, that’s useful info
It is only the front end menus and selection system that comes by the MHEG-5 though…
So all the LAN integration and stream playback from the internet would have already existed for the PS3. I still see that as an “enabler” for Sony to deliver first.
NooQuote
February 1st, 2010 at 3:16 pm
David (40) – don’t give up on panny just yet. somebody posted a similar comment on another forum, and the bbc iplayer test team said they’d seen the panny test version and it looked good.
Al CatrazQuote
February 5th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Al Catraz – Thanks for your reply in post 39. Not much hope for me then of getting any iPlayer content on my tv screen. Brilliant initiative from the BBC though. Generally news programmes are not so strictly copyrighted. Maybe the BBC could let news programmes on iPlayer be free of this UK IP address requirement. Then those of us outside the UK could also have some benefit of the new iPlayer feature.
DaneQuote
February 11th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
March 9th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Sony FreeSat TV coonecting to iplayer – problem fixed.
Thank you – the information here has helped me connect my new Sony FreeSat TV to BBCi Player using two homeplugs.
Problem – when I pressed the red button “connecting” was displyed in the top righthand corner of the tv screen for ~ 1 second then disappeared. The iplayer menu did not display on the screen.
Fix:
1. I checked the software version of the TV (using Product Info option within the Settings menu) and found that it was 1.578SA i.e. not the latest software (1.630SA) to enable BBC iPlayer.
2. I switched the TV to standby twice and got a message that the TV wanted to upgrade its software. I accepted the request to upgrade.
3. After the upgrade had finished (yellow indicator light stopped flashing) I turned the TV back on, pressed the red button and iplayer menu and the iplayer menu was displayed. Problem solved…
AdrianQuote
March 25th, 2010 at 8:45 am
I received another update to the firmware on 24 March, now version 1.720SA. However, no idea what has changed. Anyone know?.
neilQuote
March 28th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Me too. No mention of it on Sony’s download page though so no idea what it does.
mwaQuote
May 23rd, 2010 at 10:46 am
i have just got a sony tv and i want to connect to i-player, i have connected the cable, gone to bbc 1 pushed the red button it says connecting but nothing happens, can any one please help
stuQuote
May 25th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Is there already or likely to be an iPlayer upgrade for the Sony Blu-Ray DVDs, 360,560 and 760? I know the 370 has the capability built in.
ChrisQuote
June 17th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I’ve just bought a Sony Bravia on the assumption it would have access to BBC iPlayer, but having connected it to the internet it doesn’t. Now I read that it’s only available on Sony Freesat models. Doesn’t anyone know if the iPlayer will be available on my Freeview HD set anytime soon?
nrgsaverQuote
June 25th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I second the last post.
When will iPlayer be available on latest Sony Bravia?
We were promised within weeks (. when purchased in March .. !) Still no sign, and no firm answers from BBC or Sony.
Ominously, though, Sony have dropped the BBCi widget from their screenshots on their Bravia site …. I hope I’m wrong but ….. !!!
John GQuote
July 14th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Any news when LG will agree with the BBC for iPlayer on it’s TVs?
I have a 47LF770 that is ready but requires the iPlayer upgrade the current Freesat OTA upgrade from DTG does not support iPlayer.
DeanQuote
August 27th, 2010 at 11:37 am
Thanks to Adrian (Mar 9) for the Sony fix – worked for me too. It took a while for iPlayer to list anything but got there in the end. Not exactly intuitive this stuff is it
Chris HQuote
August 29th, 2010 at 1:44 am
I could not get iplayer on my grundig freesat HD box. I contacted Grundig and they sent me a new updated box within a week. That was a month ago, everything worked fine untill today. I have tried re-booting the box but all I get is the red dot, when I press the red button the “connecting” sign is displayed for half a second but nothing happens. what can I do ?
chris F.Quote
August 29th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I’ve just received a Grundig freesat HD box and am experiencing the same “connecting” problem as chris F. I’ve checked my ethernet connection, removed all firewalls, re-installed all channels and rebooted about a dozen times and still nothing!
Called Freesat who talked me through checking everything and told me to call my ISP (virgin media) who told me they didnt support the box and couldn’t help! Any other suggestions?
Mark BQuote
August 31st, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Iplayer now working tonight. Havent a clue why. Nothing seems to have changed…
Mark BQuote
October 4th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
KDL – EX632
Hi,
i have just bought a sony KDL – EX632 TV and having real problems connecting to i player it just tells me to update the programs and when i look at this option it is turned on but does not give me any option to update anything.. anyone have any ideas why i cannot watch i player???
million thank yous.
Amber
amberQuote
October 9th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Hi All,
I have the sony kdl-40w5810 and when when the ethernet is connected the red button does not work. Take the cable out and the red button works. Any ideas? Network is fine as i can get the feeds through Applicast. Freesat is via Sky Dish and the Router is a Netgear DG834g. TV is hard wired and IP is set either way Manual or DHCP.
Alan
AlanQuote
November 17th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
My KDL-40W5810 is exactly the same. Although it worked (briefly) at the start of the year, I have not managed to get iPlayer to work for over 6 months and have now tried just about everything! It is connected to a Belkin N+ router by an ethernet cable, running firmware 1.72 and all network settings seem to be configured correctly. I’ve tried just about every combination of router and firewall settings but on pressing the red button, still just get the ‘Due to a technical problem, unable to connect …’ message. The ethernet cable has to be unplugged from the TV to access normal red button services …
Someone, please help! This one is now driving me mad! I simply hate to be defeated by technology!
AlanQuote
November 26th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Anyone?
AlanQuote
November 26th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
@Alan
You’ve posted on a news story from almost a year ago, so the visiting traffic to this specific page is very low; we only saw it because we get email confirmations of every single post!
Not sure what the problem may be, so you might want to speak to Sony directly, as they will have a better idea than anyone; there doesn’t appear to be any issues with accessing iPlayer from your television.
adminQuote