iPlayer in HD sound?

[Karafan]

I listen to live streamed CD Review in HD sound online - does anyone know, though, whether one can listen again using iPlayer in HD or is it just standard definition on iplayer afterwards?

I can't seem to see an "HD" option when listening again - though for TV programmes you can select a higher def. option.

Cheers

K.

[Bryn]

For the past couple of weeks or so most Radio 3 programmes have defaulted to 320kbps AAC-LC via Listen Again on the iPlayer. However, there is a problem mentioned in another threas re. Quite a lot of programme only appearing at 56kbps HE-AAC. The iPlayer team is aware of the problem and, hopefully, is working to resolve it. Having 320kbps AAC-LC via the Listen Again facility is a real boon. Let's hope they get the gremlins sorted soon.

This response was sent courtesy of the Duchess of Cambridge, whose free WiFi is just the ticket during lunch.

Oh, and tthe Duchess of Cambridge is a bar/restaurant in Windsor.

[Karafan]

Thanks to you and the Duchess, Bryn!

[silvestrione]

Not really relevant to this thread, but does anyone know how to listen again through Squeezebox? I used to, but the plugin has disappeared from the server home page. It is still there, enabled, in Settings in the plugin list, but I cannot any longer activate it. How do I get it back to the home page?

Be very grateful for any help.

[johnb]

silvestrione,

Have you looked both under "Internet Radio" and under "My Apps"?

(By default Triode's iPlayer plugin appears under "Internet Radio" however in the iPlayer plugin settings there is an option for it to be shown in "My Apps".)

By the way, which version of Squeezebox Server are you using?

[silvestrione]

Hi Johnnb. Yes I've looked in My Apps, where BBC is shown, but does not seem to allow access to iplayer, just the radio stations, unless I'm missing something.

I've recently updated to Logitech Server (7.7 I think), which was the start of all these troubles: at that point the BBC iplayer icon disappeared from the home page. Before, clicking on that icon allowed you to search through all programmes from the last week.
Thanks for your interest.

[johnb]

I've recently updated to Logitech Server (7.7 I think), which was the start of all these troubles: at that point the BBC iplayer icon disappeared from the home page. Before, clicking on that icon allowed you to search through all programmes from the last week.
Thanks for your interest.

Bad news!

Some of the recent the Squeezebox Server releases have been extremely bug ridden and not fit to be issued (in particular 7.6.0). The software releases are now driven by Logitech's timetable and they often are relying on users to do the thorough testing that should have been done before release. (This is the opposite of what used to happen when Slim Devices was run by Sean Adams.) From what I can gather this isn't the fault of the software development team who suffer from the hardware orientated, timetabled new release attitude of the company.

After having dealt with the near disastrous 7.6.0 I have no intention of 'upgrading' from 7.6.1 unless there is a bl**dy good reason. (Some of the bugs introduced in 7.6.0 are yet to be fixed and I have the impression that some might never be corrected. Admittedly those are bug which only affect a minority of users.)

My advice would be to revert to 7.6.1 or, even better, 7.5.5.

You can get the previous versions of Squeezebox Server from here:

http://downloads.slimdevices.com/

Alternatively, the slimdevices forum is very active and Triode (who wrote the BBC iPlayer plugin) maintains a thread there where he assists users with any problems they might have. He is very helpful.

http://forums.slimdevices.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Look for the "Announce: BBCiPlayer Plugin (UK only)" thread.

PS Squeezebox Server, by default, automatically downloads new releases and then continually prompts you to install the new version. This (the automatic download) can be turned off in the settings.

PPS The two bugs that remain in 7.6.1 that affect me are (1) when browsing by folder, if there is a cue file plus associated mp3/flac/mp4/etc file neither of them will play (but this ONLY affects the folder browsing) and (2) cue files don't work with mp2 files at all in 7.6.x but this only affects mp2 files. Flac, mp3, mp4 files, etc all work with cue files.

[silvestrione]

Success! I re-installed 7.5 as you suggested, enabled the old plugin again, and, once I had rebooted (or whatever the term would be) the Squeezebox, all is now working as before. I owe you a drink, John.

[Bryn]

Nothing from today's Radio 3 schedule, of indeed anything after last night's The Essay, seems to have been made available on the iPlayer. What's going on?

Ah. they are available, but not via the schedule page.

[remdataram]

Bad news!

Some of the recent the Squeezebox Server releases have been extremely bug ridden and not fit to be issued (in particular 7.6.0). The software releases are now driven by Logitech's timetable and they often are relying on users to do the thorough testing that should have been done before release. (This is the opposite of what used to happen when Slim Devices was run by Sean Adams.) From what I can gather this isn't the fault of the software development team who suffer from the hardware orientated, timetabled new release attitude of the company.

After having dealt with the near disastrous 7.6.0 I have no intention of 'upgrading' from 7.6.1 unless there is a bl**dy good reason. (Some of the bugs introduced in 7.6.0 are yet to be fixed and I have the impression that some might never be corrected. Admittedly those are bug which only affect a minority of users.)

My advice would be to revert to 7.6.1 or, even better, 7.5.5.

You can get the previous versions of Squeezebox Server from here:

http://downloads.slimdevices.com/

Alternatively, the slimdevices forum is very active and Triode (who wrote the BBC iPlayer plugin) maintains a thread there where he assists users with any problems they might have. He is very helpful.

http://forums.slimdevices.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Look for the "Announce: BBCiPlayer Plugin (UK only)" thread.

PS Squeezebox Server, by default, automatically downloads new releases and then continually prompts you to install the new version. This (the automatic download) can be turned off in the settings.

PPS The two bugs that remain in 7.6.1 that affect me are (1) when browsing by folder, if there is a cue file plus associated mp3/flac/mp4/etc file neither of them will play (but this ONLY affects the folder browsing) and (2) cue files don't work with mp2 files at all in 7.6.x but this only affects mp2 files. Flac, mp3, mp4 files, etc all work with cue files.

I use flac file format so can't comment on mp2/3 files, however I've no problem using the BBC iPlayer and iPlayer plus plugins with the 7.7.1 version of squeezebox server. Perhaps the problem is more complex than which verson of squeezebox server we are using?

[johnb]

I'm sure that you're right in that there can be other factors involved.

Nevertheless, during this year Logitech have released some 'upgrades' to Squeezebox Server (now Logitech Media Server) which have been bug-ridden. The worst example of this was 7.6.0 but 7.7.0 wasn't exactly bug free. The knowledgeable users who were affected were downloading and installing the beta releases as they were less 'beta' than the official release!

This is a particularly difficult for the average user who doesn't want to get involved with the technical aspects, especially as the new releases are automatically downloaded by default (though this can be turned off.) Of course, whether someone is affected by particular bugs depends on their particular set up, the nature of the files they have, etc.

[remdataram]

johnb,

thank you for your detailed explanation.

I wasn't challenging your view in any way - merely highlighting that updates to squeezebox server work perfectly well on some systems/file types.

May I add that you do an excellent job in translating the technical to us 'non-techies' who just want to enjoy the music.

bws,

Martin (remdataram)