Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Accessing BBC iPlayer through Sooloos channels search

I know I've posted on this topic before, but please bear with me:-

I was delighted a couple of years ago, when Sooloos suddenly appeared able to access some BBC Radio programmes through (I assumed) iPlayer. However I didn't test it extensively.

So can anyone explain (or hazard a guess) as to why I can access some programmes and not others?

For example, doing a search on The Archers (sorry!) brings up a host of options including the previously broadcast episodes which are currently on iPlayer...

...whereas searching for Prog Rock with Charles Hazlewood (again a previously broadcast programme currently available on iPlayer) doesn't return any search results?

I'm puzzled as to what data Sooloos is accessing when playing 'historic' as opposed to real time radio broadcasts, and whether the availability of a particular programme is predictable?

Thanks

Neil

I've never heard of iPlayer on Sooloos, are you sure this isn't a Podcast?

I'm interested in the answers to this from the experts. I only ever managed to get as far as accessing some stuff through tunein and I think that what's available there is those programmes that get issued as podcasts? Having said that not even all of those (there are quite a few these days) are there, I've never previously managed to find "The Infinite Monkey Cage" for instance, I've just tried it again now and It turns up, if you click on recent episodes there's lots there, so maybe it does have more of the podcast stuff than I give it credit for?

I resorted to keeping one or two squeezebox touches in operation for my dose of Radio 4 iplayer, getting very miffed when that stopped working then extremely pleased with myself when I got brave enough to follow the advice on how to get it back working again! Sorry to go OT but I even woke my wife to tell her, funnily she wasn't as pleased as I was.

Richard

I've no idea!

I thought you could only access podcasts you had subscribed to, and I don't currently subscribe to any (and certainly not through Sooloos, should such a thing be possible).

You can subscribe to podcasts on the BBC website but you can also just search for them and download. Some expire after a set time and others do not. I think the "iplayer" stuff that turns up on tunein is likely to be podcasts, where they're hosted I don't know? Could tunein be simply be signposting / linking to the BBC podcasts?

Ah! Finally this is beginning to make sense.

Thank you Richard. I think you've nailed it. I've just checked and the Hazlewood documentary isn't available by podcast, whereas clearly The Archers is...

Right, I'm going to amend my question slightly. This will seem very noddy to the techies here, but here goes:-

I would like to be able to listen to iPlayer programmes through my Meridian system, and I have now discovered that this is not possible via Sooloos. I've never previously hooked up my PC to my amp, but presumably this should achieve the desired result?

Some quick pointers, please, on the best way to connect these 2 boxes (a Dell PC and my 818), and which sockets I should plug your recommended connector, and what, if any, configuration will be needed at the 818 end.

Thanks

Neil

Try the USB input.

- can you get iPlayer on your Humax receiver?

Ah, yes - I'd not thought of that.

Presumably I can just plug it into any spare USB port on the PC? And given that the 818 only has one (I think!), then even I should be able to get that right.

Will I have to do some configuration to make the 818 work?

And are longish (c. 5m) USB connectors much of a muchness or can snake oil be poured over that choice too...?

Thanks

Neil

Interesting point? I've not tried that. Actually I incorporated the Humax into my setup with the specific intention of recording radio programmes.

3 or 4 years later, it's hard disk remains untouched.

Anyone in the market for a mint Humax recorder?

Neil

Neil,

you knew better than to ask that didn't you?

Available from Amazon

I use an Audioquest Forest cable because it is flexible, the right length, a pretty colour and it works.

LOL!!