Watching English TV

[Tiavox]

Hi Everyone

Love France, been here four years now and wouldn't return to blighty for anything other than family emergencies!! However, I do miss english tv, the choice and the humour mostly. I know there are various ways around the whole sky thing but I cannot have a dish chez nous, so, Does anyone know of a way to watch uk programmes via your pc? I've tried iplayer etc directly, but unfortunately it won't allow me to watch from outside the uk. Strictly has just started as has the X Factor.........frustration abounds!!! :{

[parsnips]

Originally Posted by Tiavox

Hi Everyone

Love France, been here four years now and wouldn't return to blighty for anything other than family emergencies!! However, I do miss english tv, the choice and the humour mostly. I know there are various ways around the whole sky thing but I cannot have a dish chez nous, so, Does anyone know of a way to watch uk programmes via your pc? I've tried iplayer etc directly, but unfortunately it won't allow me to watch from outside the uk. Strictly has just started as has the X Factor.........frustration abounds!!! :{

Hi,
There are apparently ways to give your computer a false UK address so you can access i-player etc. but you need to find a computer expert to show you how to do it.
I, unfortunately ,am not an expert.

[Stephen2209]

Hi,
I too missed UK programming. The best site I have found is TheBox.bz. Incredible libary of old and new british tv and very fast downloads. They are incredibly strict on download/upload ratios though, so you can't download too much. It is free.

[PJG]

Hiya, I too found the same problem and there are loads of websites with libraries of programmes. Everything from Allo, Allo to Fawlty Towers to soaps and documentaries. Try using the OVG guide (google it). Its a hub with links to hundreds of websites featuring programmes of any sort. Blinkbox remote and TV shack are two that I use a lot. The quality can be a bit variable but it does the job. Alternatively, I get my Internet, Phone and TV through Orange and they have small anglophone package available for about 5 Euro a month. It's only a few channels but it does include BBC Prime which shows various UK BBC programmes. Can't watch it all evening but for the odd half hour its ok. See the BBC prime website for more lisitings

[Fatbrit]

Already mentioned are the torrent sites that specialize in UK programming: thebox and uknova. If you've never used bittorrent before, you'll need some studying to make sure you don't run foul and get banned. thebox has a system where you can pay to alleviate the ratio problem.

Next alternative (also pointed out) is to use a VPN -- virtual private network -- that provides a UK IP address so you can access programs via your browser and are not blocked because you have a foreign IP address. The only reliable services that can cope with the bandwidth necessary are paid ones.

There is at least one company out there providing an independent streaming service using proprietary software (actually a poor rehash of the excellent VLC!). They were free a couple of months back but will certainly be moving to a charged model

The final option I know of is to have a slingbox setup, either with family friends (in which case it's free) or with a paid service.

Caveat emptor with any of the paid services for a VPN, streamer or slingbox -- these small startup companies go in and out of business all the time. If you've paid hundreds for a year in advance and they go to the wall, you're SOL.

[PJG]

Thanks for the info /snip! It's great. Recent episodes of IQ, the transatlantic sessions and coverage of the Cambridge folk festival available through BBC iplayer and now I can watch tem too.. Great! Thanks again!

PJ

[Tiavox]

Originally Posted by Stephen2209

Hi,
I too missed UK programming. The best site I have found is TheBox.bz. Incredible libary of old and new british tv and very fast downloads. They are incredibly strict on download/upload ratios though, so you can't download too much. It is free.

Hi

I don't have a problem with your reply, I'm just wondering why mine was removed as "advertising" and yours wasn't..... Bizarre!!

[frogblogger]

Originally Posted by Tiavox

Hi

I don't have a problem with your reply, I'm just wondering why mine was removed as "advertising" and yours wasn't..... Bizarre!!

Several mentions of the same product was the problem, I believe. We have some very astute moderators . That said all discussion of the people you mentioned, as a way of accessing BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, has been removed. So for the sake of good order, and giving you the benefit of the doubt, the link is to an outfit known as 'iportal'.

Of course as the original poster with no links whatever to the company concerned (isn't that right!), I'm sure we'll now see lots of new posts from you on totally unrelated topics, won't we

[Tiavox]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

Several mentions of the same product was the problem, I believe. We have some very astute moderators . That said all discussion of the people you mentioned, as a way of accessing iportal from outside the UK, has been removed. So for the sake of good order, and giving you the benefit of the doubt, the link is to an outfit known as iportal.

Of course as the original poster with no links whatever to the company concerned (isn't that right!), I'm sure we'll now see lots of new posts from you on totally unrelated topics, won't we

Absolutely!! Actually, I'm now on the lookout for recording studios and vocal workshops in or around (53)!!

[Donnachaidh]

I'm wondering what the problem is? Do some sites ban access from apparently French IP addresses?