Watching BBC Iplayer From China
BBC’s Iplayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer lets you stream TV and radio content as long as you are based in the UK. Windows users can also download shows using a download manager with DRM that automatically deletes the files withn a month or 7 days once you start watching.
Computer users in China cannot access this content, because the BBC website scans your IP address to make sure you are based in the UK. Mac and Linux users do not have access to the official download app. Here is a step by step summary of how I got the BBC Iplayer to work in China.
Find a VPN to a UK based server.
VPN stands for virtual private network. If the VPN provider is based in the UK this will make your computer appear to be located in the UK. The same principle applies to accessing US only services using US based proxies and VPNs such as Hotspot Shield, which lets you stream http://www.hulu.com .
I found a service that charges $10 a month. I use http://consult-here.com/vpn.html . The VPN provider will send you details on setting this up. It’s like following a cooking recipe. Consult-here.com’s service has been quick and stable, but don’t use a VPN for banking or entering Emails, because you cannot control who can view your usernames and passwords.
Install the Iplayer Download Manager
The official download manager is available to Windows users from the Iplayer site. Mac users should download and install iplayer downloader from www.lawrencedudley.co.uk/iplayer
This software exploits a loophole that lets Iphone users download h264 files without DRM so you get tv quality video wiithout copy protection. This means Mac users can play the files on Quicktime or VLC and the downloaded videos will not self destruct after 30 days.
I’ve been enjoying some great BBC programmes such as Louis Theroux’s Law and Disorder and Survivors. My Chinese Internet connection gives me enough bandwidth to download shows for later viewing. It is also quick enough to stream shows in Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari during offpeak hours such as evenings and weekends when fewer people are sharing the connections in China or the UK.
I know the BBC has plans to offer the service overseas. Let us hope that it is not inferior or crippled. I would be happy to pay the equivalent of a BBC license fee to access its content. At the moment the BBC does not give me this opportunity.
