This means that the BBC now has the opportunity to increase iPlayer bit rates significantly on a widespread basis to deliver substantial picture and audio improvements over conventional terrestrial broadcasting, for example, improving the quality of HD programmes and introducing Ultra HD 4k content with advanced surround sound (e.g. The widespread availability of superfast broadband (with 95% if UK premises now being able to access superfast broadband with speeds of at least 30 Mbps) means that bit rates are no longer the concern they once were. We hope that improved quality options are made available when iPlayer has its major relaunch later in 2020.
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It is interesting to note that the new Britbox subscription service, launched in the UK in November 2019, shows BBC (and ITV) HD programmes in full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) with a better bit rate of 8 Mbps. We understand that iPlayer has a high bit rate HD option (8 Mbps), which has not yet been made available, but could be enabled for devices in the future. HD content is encoded at 1280 x 720 resolution (at 50fps) rather than 1920 x 1080 used on terrestrial and satellite broadcasts. Initially offering a basic seven-day catch-up service, which was later extended to 30 days, picture and sound quality of standard definition and high definition programmes through iPlayer have been mediocre at best, with very modest data rates used for content with the best picture quality (up to 5 Mbps). Historically, we’ve never been that impressed with iPlayer, and have preferred to rely on decent PVR functionality (for example, recording conventional broadcasts using the Sky Q service). With limited competition from the streaming services of other UK broadcasters (including ITV Player), iPlayer was the most popular ‘on demand’ service in the UK for many years. The only downside is the BBC has not yet been able to provide the superb Dolby Atmos soundtrack that is available on the Ultra HD blu ray version of ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’.īBC iPlayer was launched in 2007 when broadband networks were far less developed, constraining realistic bit rates. As a handy catch-up service, iPlayer enjoyed year-on-year growth in terms of take-up and usage among licence-fee payers.
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Once you see the incredible detail, colour volume and dramatic specular highlights delivered by Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR), there is simply no going back to traditional TV broadcasts.
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What a pleasure it was this Christmas and New Year period being able to watch the complete series of ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’ and ‘Dracula’ on BBC iPlayer in Ultra HD 4k quality. You may also be interested in: ‘A Perfect Planet’ and ‘Dr Who’ Demonstrate 4k HDR at Its Best in BBC iPlayer(Jan 2021).