A picture for our times

image from BBC Internet Blog - link below for full version

Here's the next problem for the alphabetically-challenged - and a picture of the way the world of rights management is moving. It's from one of the BBC Blogs, devoted to HD tv and IPtv, and shows the current state of play of DRM that's applied to HD programmes on the FreeSat and other platforms. The blog page is here and it's worth reading down the long list of comments - my sympathies go to Andy Quested who's making the reasonable point (as a programme maker and rights owner, I would think that, wouldn't I) that the alternative to DRM is no programme in HD - but is being swamped by replies from people who just want tech that works without hassle.

And in related developments:
They've been busy with the BBC iPlayer this week. After a slightly premature announcement last week, there's now an HD channel to follow on the BBC iPlayer Desktop, and they've tweaked up the quality of 'SD' streams and downloads. There's a new version of the Desktop for download/update (the Desktop is BBC-speak for the programme download, assets and rights management software that is installed on your PC/Mac/Linux box - yes folks, all bases now covered) which no longer uses Peer-to-Peer (P2P) distribution. So once you've updated, your PC won't any more be talking to other machines and sending them bits, and using your uplink to your ISP.

It's still a confusing package - the 'Desktop' doesn't do the browsing for you, but wakes up your browser of choice to select programmes, which themselves stream or download - the word is that streamed programmes should look better too.

One link that (IMHO) is really useful is a new diagnostics page, to see how your broadband measures up, it's at BBC iPlayer - Diagnostics

Phil

PS fuller account of the last wefcpug and especially of SoundTrack Pro will be up here in a couple of days.

Tonight's meeting - in sound only

For those of you lucky enough not to be flying out to Las Vegas for NAB this week, a reminder that it's wefcpug night at the Beeb in Bristol. That is, if you're reading this on Tuesday 14th April.

No word has been forthcoming about the previously advertised schedule, so it'll continue in 'Sound Only' for some of the evening with an updated report from moi-meme on using SoundTrack Pro for real for multi-track TV dubbing. Note I say 'report' rather than demonstration - at times as I've been working this route I've felt rather like an early scientific experimenter as I've discovered many things NOT to do (which aren't mentioned in the manual) and quite a few things that should be done (ditto). I fully expect to be proven wrong with regard to the manual but I think there'll be surprises for most of you (certainly for me, if past experience is any guide).

And there'll be the usual round of news and gossip from Richard and the world of Proper Training, and we can all moan about the escapees who've gone off to NAB.

Viva Las Whiteladies, 630pm (ish) for 7pm tonight. etc. etc.

Phil

April Meeting

Reminder to all that we're not meeting on the Monday, which is a bank holiday, but convening in the usual spot (BBC back-entrance, Bristol) on Tuesday next, April 14th, 7pm.

Fingers crossed, it's the Photoshop guy, but if that doesn't materialise, watch this space. Wires will be humming.