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Can you get BBCiplayer abroad?

2455 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  krull
Hi, I notice on the iplayer site that if you live "overseas" you will not be able to access the downloads. I known that only months ago I was able to use it for radio "listen again" in Portugal, is TV different? If so how does the restriction work?

Was I able to download listen again because I was using my laptop (prewsumably allocated an IP number in the UK) the reason. Would I have not been able to If I was using a "local" pc? Or is it the telephone line? Or what?

Anyone know? I have visions of going to macDonalds and downloading an evenings viewing rather than invest in big sats. in 12 mths time when I go live on the dream of long term touring in Europe. Dick
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Mysterious

Glandwr said:
Was I able to download listen again because I was using my laptop (prewsumably allocated an IP number in the UK) the reason.
Whichever PC or Laptop you are using you will be allocated a new IP address when you connect away - so that is not the reason.

So it is mysterious why you can sometimes access abroad. As I write this in Le Dorat, France I'm listening to Radio4 live with iplayer. I accessed by a bookmark set up back in Cheshire. However when I have tried to connect in other ways (including MHF front page) it does not work. Very strange :!:

Paul
Re: Mysterious

baldlygo said:
Whichever PC or Laptop you are using you will be allocated a new IP address when you connect away - so that is not the reason
I'll think you'll find that is exactly the reason. It's simple for site owners to put an IP filtering system in place to identify the country of origin from the browser's IP, and block or divert it accordingly. It's not foolproof - particularly if you spoof your IP - but will work 98% of the time.

Dougie.
I think we might have been crossed purpose here Dougie. I thought Dick was asking if he could pick it up in Portugal because his Laptop was allocated an IP address at home. What I was trying to explain was that there is nothing on a Laptop or PC which stores your allocated IP address - I gets a new allocation from whoever you connect to when away.

At home your IP address may remain the same if you leave your modem/router switched on - otherwise it will pick up a new one each time.

There are also connections with fixed IP addresses but they are usually business and I presume Dick is referring to ordinary users.

Paul
Thank you all. I'm trying to recall now whether I did use "listen again" or "listen live". How many brian (or even brain) cells do you loose every year? I do remember it was the Archers though - a treat for the wife (her only soap you know; although she refuses to admit it is one). Maybe listen live is available and downloading not. Any body else use iplayer and can clear this up?

Dick
We use a satellite for internet (Alden Netmaster 90) which uses iPcopter as the ISP. In short, we always appear to be in Germany (gives me all adverts in German :roll: )
No problem with listen live, listen again or even podcasts from BBC.
Can´t get Ch.5 TV or ITV on Astra 1 though.
Patrick
YES YOU CAN.

I did so whilst at a rainy aire in France where i found a strong unprotected wifi signal.

However, you need to be crafty because i-player will not allow foreign ip addresses. The trick is to use a free uk based proxy server (search via google).

Then go to internet options/connections/LAN settings, enable proxy server by ticking the box and insert the proxy ip address.

Just be aware that free proxy's are usually only available for a few days.

There are other ways by hiding you ip address from i-player. this is more difficult, but you can find detailed instructions by searching the uk ex-pat forums.
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