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Options for "iPlayer will stop working on this device" (feddit.uk)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/technology

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

"On 11th November BBC iPlayer will no longer be available directly on this device."

OK, so, I didn't purchase this particular (Blaupunkt) TV, but as it's my mother's then, well, I'm the one that has to "fix" this.

Personally, I use TVs as a simple screen and watch everything through other devices (Roku, or a Linux PC running MythTV).

I see the BBC website has some links to review sites, but I thought this might be another place to ask for - preferably open source - devices that could be used.

Comments?

top 7 comments

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[–] BombOmOm 9 points 1 month ago

Personally, I use TVs as a simple screen and watch everything through other devices (Roku, or a Linux PC running MythTV).

This would be my suggestion. Get a mini pc or dongle and use the TV simply as a display. Internet connected TVs are never well supported.

Also, highly suggest disconnecting the TV from the internet. They don't get security updates and they are notorious for spying on people's viewing habits.

[–] SquiffSquiff 4 points 1 month ago

iPlayer isn't an 'open' service- you have to use a supported client, even if that client is a web browser. Your options are limited to platforms that can support those clients. Personally I've found Roku preferable to Chromecast, firestick, full PC. I may at some point have tried to get iPlayer running with Kodi back in the day, when it was XBMC, but XBMC was pretty clunky anyway, let alone on raspberry pi.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

This is why Android TV, supposedly. But then the ROM is closed source, stops getting updates after a few years, the bootloader is locked, and GPlay has minimum target SDKs anyway. So it doesn't at all solve the problem.

[–] Evotech 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I personally use a Nvidia shield (small one) for my tv apps. It's great and the Android version is current so it gets all the modern versions of apps.

It has Chromecast built in, and many other nice things. Such as upscaling.

My tv supports defaulting to HDMI, without showing its own home screen at all. So its seamless.

Can recommend for your mom, very user friendly.

Might be a bit pricy, got mine on sale.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Good point about the default video source. I had to use “hotel mode” on 1 TV to get that to work... I'll check what this one does

thanks

[–] TheGrandNagus 1 points 1 month ago

I have iPlayer on my Nvidia shield, although I imagine it's available for all Android TV boxes.

I'd avoid the no-name Chinese devices though. A shocking amount of them have straight up spyware on them, yet are still sold on Amazon.

Bonus tip: install ProjectIvy launcher to get rid of home screen ads.

[–] DrMoronicAcid 1 points 1 month ago

Amazon fire stick sorted my parents' tv out when the built-in apps became unsupported. Could be a relatively cheap option with back friday around the corner...