Get_iplayer

Lists and records BBC iPlayer TV and BBC Sounds radio programmes

WARNING A UK TV licence is required to access BBC iPlayer TV content legally.

“get_iplayer” allows you to search, list, record, and stream BBC iPlayer TV and BBC Sounds radio programmes

BBC iPlayer TV - up to 5200 kbps HD 720p and experimental 1080p H.264 / Quicktime / MP4 BBC iPlayer Radio - up to 340 kbps AAC / MP4 BBC iPlayer TV subtitles - SubRip / srt

None of the above content is protected by DRM. get_iplayer cannot remove DRM.

The FreeBSD ports collection is renowned for its ability to provide a bucket full of applications right at your doorstep. Be it networking, security, or even multimedia - you can count on FreeBSD to offer an ample assortment of software. One such nifty tool that we are going to talk about today, nested within the multimedia category of FreeBSD ports, is “get_iplayer.”

get_iplayer is an exceptional tool designed to search, index, and record BBC iPlayer radio and TV. It offers a robust and user-friendly way to enjoy your BBC iPlayer content offline and at your leisure.

Setup And Installation

Before diving into the usage, let’s start with the setup. Installing get_iplayer is a simple job if you are familiar with installing ports on FreeBSD

cd /usr/ports/multimedia/get_iplayer/ && make install clean

Alternatively, you can opt to install via the package manager

pkg install get_iplayer

This command will proceed to download and install get_iplayer along with its dependencies.

How to Use get_iplayer

Once you have get_iplayer installed, the next big question is - how do you use it? Let’s discuss some common use-cases.

1. Searching for programmes The fundamental aspect of get_iplayer is its search functionality. You can search for a program by typing

get_iplayer "search term"

For instance

get_iplayer "Doctor Who"

This command will return a list of all Doctor Who episodes currently available on BBC iPlayer.

1. Downloading a programme From the search results, note the programme number of the desired programme.

To begin downloading the programme, type

get_iplayer --get "programme number"

replace “programme number” with the actual number. For instance

get_iplayer --get 123 

1. Updating the catalogue get_iplayer maintains a local cache of the programme catalogue. To update it run

get_iplayer --refresh

Advanced Features

get_iplayer does not only offer to download BBC iPlayer content, but it also provides some advanced features which improve user experience significantly.

• Streaming If you want to watch the programme immediately and not download it, get_iplayer allows you to do it by utilizing VLC or mplayer. Have VLC installed? Just use

get_iplayer --stream --player="vlc" "programme number"

• Subtitles get_iplayer also supports fetching subtitles. If you want subtitles along with your program, add --subtitles tag

get_iplayer --get --subtitles "programme number"

• Multiple downloads Want to download multiple programs at once? No problem. Simply enter your program numbers separated by a comma

get_iplayer --get 123,456,789 

In FreeBSD ecosystem, get_iplayer is a perfect match with [VLC]https//freebsdsoftware.org/multimedia/vlc.html and [mplayer]https//freebsdsoftware.org/multimedia/mplayer.html.

Benefits of get_iplayer

The primary strengths of get_iplayer are its flexibility and convenience.

1. Watch or listen to BBC iPlayer content at your own pace - offline and whenever you desire.
2. get_iplayer also enables you to keep the programmes permanently, unlike the BBC iPlayer content, which is typically available for a limited time.
3. With the vast multitude of options provided by get_iplayer, you can tailor your usage as per your requirements - from setting the download quality to fetching subtitles.
4. Even for users residing outside of the United Kingdom, get_iplayer is an excellent tool to access BBC iPlayer content paired with a VPN service.

Final Thoughts

In summary, get_iplayer is quite a gem within the FreeBSD ports multimedia category, opening doors to a plethora of BBC iPlayer content. Whether you’re an ardent BBC follower or someone who occasionally indulges in BBC productions, get_iplayer is a tool worth trying out. Its ease of use combined with a powerful set of features make it a compelling option for all FreeBSD users.