Yes, I saw this pop up on the wiki (http://beebhack.bluwiki.com) last month - great stuff.
On Fri, May 30, 2008 at 12:27 PM, Graeme West <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi all, > Apologies if this is a dupe, or old news. Someone (Paul Battley, I think, > possibly others) has made a rather nice download client for the streaming > iPlayer for the Mac. > > http://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/3565-enterprising-soul-creates-bbc-iplayer-download-app-for-mac.html > http://sourceforge.net/projects/iplayerdownload > > It uses a ruby script (iplayer-dl) to spoof the iPhone's browser user-agent > string, get the secret token and then it grabs the MP4 from the iPhone > iPlayer. > > I've always had trouble with the argument - made somewhat often on this list > - that the content protection on services like the iPlayer just had to be > 'good enough' to keep the majority from downloading the content (to keep), > rather than super-secure in order to keep the tech savvy. This is the proof > that that argument is wrong. > > Obviously the streaming iPlayer doesn't use DRM in a strict sense but the > video URLs are obfuscated. > > You only need one smart person to figure it out and package it into > something like this, and everyone can then take advantage, regardless of > their level of skill. As long as a user can copy and paste, they can use > this programme. See also installing LibDeCSS on Ubuntu - dead simple. > > So perhaps a download button on the streaming iPlayer (to grab MP4s) isn't > such a radical idea? > > I realise that the BBC is in a very difficult position with regard to third > party rights on content, and that it has to make an effort to 'protect' > content on rights-holders' behalf. Perhaps it should also point out to > rights-holders that technical protection measures are never going to work. > Of course, that would make negotiations on further content distribution > deals might be a little awkward, but these are the realities. > > > Thoughts? > > Graeme West > > --Personal opinion only BTW... > - > Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please > visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. > Unofficial list archive: > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
