Read on to find out all of the BBC iPlayer devices and TV services

If you are a fan of one of Britain’s most successful media organisations, the BBC, then you will probably love the BBC iPlayer which brings you both television and radio shows from the BBC aired within the last 7 days, and allows you to watch them when and wherever suits you.

The BBC iPlayer is a fantastic on-line console that makes catching-up with your favourite BBC content as simple as possible. You never again have to miss an episode of EastEnders or that interesting BBC documentary that you just couldn’t sit down to watch when it first showed. The BBC iPlayer is brilliant if you have a busy schedule and are often missing the shows you love but it is also great if you find sometimes there just isn’t anything you fancy watching on TV when you do have some time to slouch in front of the box. What is really great about the BBC iPlayer is that it is now available on more and more devices and services for you to choose from.

How to watch BBC iPlayer on Cable Television

Virgin Media – BBC iPlayer is a popular service available on Virgin Media’s cable television packages. Whichever Virgin Media bundle you sign up for you will also be able to enjoy BBC iPlayer for free. It’s really easy to find on the Virgin Media catch-up television menu and can also be accessed by pressing the red button when on BBC Channel one. Once you are within the BBC iPlayer set-up you can then search from the shows you like using ‘Search’ or sorting by date or channel. For more information on Virgin Media television packages visit Virgin Media now and see which offer will suit your needs and bring you BBC iPlayer soon.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Virgin Media	Prices Vary per TV package	ITV and 4OD Catch-Up also included

BT Vision – BBC iPlayer is also available on the BT Vision service REPLAY, it is arranged slightly differently be means that you can still access shows from the last 7 days that you may have missed out on due to a busy schedule.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
BT Vision	Prices Vary per TV package	ITV and 4OD Catch-Up also included

How to watch BBC iPlayer on Freesat

If you are looking for another way to access BBC iPlayer on your television then Freesat may also be a solution for you. It is still early days but Freesat (free-to-view digital television on satellite) is currently testing a Beta BBC iPlayer on the Humax Foxsat-HD.

Humax Foxsat-HD PVR Digital Box - One of the latest PVR Freesat boxes, the Humax Foxsat-HD PVR Digital Box is a sleek and stylish FreeSat item with a polished blue front and contemporary slim box shape. With a twin tuner this digital box will receive and record both standard and high definition television channels and shows that you love without any hassle. You can even watch one channel and record another or record two channels at the same time. This recorder has an impressive 320gb hard drive giving a very generous amount of storage to record programmes.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Sound and Vision	£269.00	Free Delivery
Digital Direct	£261.01	£7.99 Delivery

How to watch BBC iPlayer on  a Games Console

If you have a games console with access to a broadband connection then this is another simple and free way to access BBC iPlayer. Games consoles that currently allow access to this fantastic catch-up service are Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3. Both are very stylish and popular gaming devices, the Wii famous for its innovative multi-player set-up which relies on movement and physical interaction and the PS3 which is best known for its sophisticated gaming network and incredible high definition graphics ability. To use BBC iPlayer on either console is really easy to do and requires that you simply access the BBC iPlayer home page from your consoles web browser.

PS3 - The Playstation 3 console is available in several different models including slimline, 120gb and 250gb. If you don’t know much about the PS3 itself it is a fantastic games console which offers exceptional graphics and superfast smooth play. It brings a whole new world of high definition gaming when connected to a HDTV.

The Playstation is also exceptional for connecting to the internet allowing multi-player gaming via the web as well as access to new gaming content, multimedia, the ability to message friends and of course access to the BBC iPlayer with ease. With the Playstation 3 you can even watch HD movies and blu-ray DVD’s.

Nintendo Wii - The Nintendo Wii it is a brilliant and simply designed games console that is aimed at the entire family, it’s great for all ages. With its most popular modern and funky white design (although currently also available in black) this console ensures fun for everyone with a range of fantastic multi-player games being their best sellers.

The Nintendo Wii has unique wireless controllers that work by monitoring your movement in the correct manner and it possible to create your self as a character that is stored within your Wii for as long as you wish, storing data such as how long you played, what your Wii fitness age is or which game you have just finished playing.

How to watch BBC iPlayer on a Home Media Hub

If you are keen on watching BBC iPlayer on a television screen another way that you can do this is by using a home media hub. To watch BBC iPlayer shows this way you can simply download programmes from the BBC iPlayer and then stream them to your TV via a Windows Media compatible home hub. There are two suitable home media hubs available, the NetGear EVA8000 and the Linksy DMA2200.

NetGear EVA8000 - The NetGear EVA8000 is a really nice device for enjoying streaming of high definition videos, music, internet radio and photos directly from your PC or Mac to your television set. It allows multiroom playback, personal video recording, instant access to USB devices and the ability to view your PC desktop on your TV screen.  It can automatically find all your multimedia files stored on your home network and organise them into an easily accessible library.  You can also directly watch Youtube Videos on your TV too.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Amazon	£313.56	Free Delivery

Linksy DMA2200 - The Linksy DMA2200 is similar as it allows you to access your PC media library with the likes of your music, video, films, and photos now available to view in large on your high definition television. The Linksy DMA2200 Home Media Hub allows you to pause and rewind live television too. Plus it’s DVD player function is up scaling so you can enjoy standard definition DVDs in greater quality.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Amazon	£99.99	£5.87 delivery

How to watch BBC iPlayer on your Mobile Phone

There are many great mobile devices now available that allow you watch your favourite BBC iPlayer content whilst on the move. This is a brilliant way to watch the BBC iPlayer if you are often travelling from one place to the next and could do with some interesting portable entertainment. Using BBC iPlayer is also really nice if you are in particular wanting to access pre-aired radio material. Take a look at just a few of the mobile devices below to see which one would be best suited for you.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Sony Ericsson C905 (Amazon)	from £134.99	Free Delivery
Apple iPod Touch (Amazon)	from £141.57	Free Delivery
Nokia 5800 (Amazon)	from £159.99	Free Delivery
Sony Ericsson W715 (Amazon)	from £189	Free Delivery
Sony Ericsson W705 (Amazon)	£189	Free Delivery
Samsung Omnia (Amazon)	from £219.99	Free Delivery
Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 (Amazon)	from £311.93	Free Delivery
Samsung i8910 (Amazon)	£455.68	Free Delivery
Samsung i8510 (Amazon)	£404.39	Free Delivery
Nokia N97 (Amazon)	from £324.99	Free Delivery
Nokia N96 (Amazon)	from £269.99	Free Delivery
Nokia N95 (Amazon)	from £255.55	Free Delivery
Nokia N86 (Amazon)	from £279.99	Free Delivery
Nokia N85 (Amazon)	from £249.99	Free Delivery
Nokia E71 (Amazon)	from £229.99	Free Delivery
Sony Ericsson W995 (Amazon)	£254.79	Free Delivery
HTC Diamond (Amazon)	from £249.99	Free Delivery
Apple Iphone (Amazon)	from £446.15	Free Delivery

For further info on BBC iPlayer on your Mobile Phone and more examples of great mobile devices that are BBC iPlayer compatible take a look at our other article ‘BBC iPlayer on your Mobile Phone”.

How to watch BBC iPlayer on Portable Media Players

If you want to watch BBC iPlayer on the move but with a larger screen than a mobile phone there are several nice portable media players available. When using a portable media player you will need to download the BBC content first but is then available for you to watch on your device for up to 30 days. Portable Media players that are BBC iPlayer compatible include;

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Sony Walkman E Series (Amazon)	from £54.30	Free Delivery
Philips GoGear Ariaz (Amazon)	from £56.50	Free Delivery
Samsung YP-P2 (Amazon)	from £59.99	Free Delivery
Sony Walkman S Series (Amazon)	from £69.99	Free Delivery
Philips GoGear Opus (Amazon)	from £79.70	Free Delivery
Creative ZEN X-Fi (Amazon)	from £88	Free Delivery
Archos 605 (Amazon)	from £124.99	Free Delivery
Philips GoGear Muse (Amazon)	from £132.10	Free Delivery
Archos 5 Media Tablet (Amazon)	from £159.99	Free Delivery

Review of BBC iPlayer on the Netgear EVA8000 Home Media Hub

If you have a high definition television and are looking to really maximise its use then why not consider that there are many services including BBC iPlayer on the Netgear EVA8000 Home Media Hub.

BBC iPlayer on the Netgear EVA8000 Home Media Hub is just one of many great features available when you purchase this fantastic multimedia player and storage device. It is a great device for enjoying streaming of high definition videos, music, internet radio and photos directly from your PC or Mac to your television set. It can automatically find all your multimedia files stored on your home network and organise them into an easily accessible library. You can also directly watch Youtube Videos on your TV too. As well as all this the BBC iPlayer on the Netgear EVA8000 Home Media Hub allows multiroom playback, personal video recording, instant access to USB devices and the ability to view your PC desktop on your TV screen. If you don’t know what the BBC iPlayer is, it is a fantastic service that allows you the possibility of catching up on hundreds of BBC television and radio broadcasts up to 7 days after they are first aired. It is a very simple to use online console where you can search for the shows you have missed using; genre, day of the week, popularity charts, channels and A-Z as search categories. Plus if you have a HDTV you can also watch HD BBC channels and shows, meaning much greater quality and detail of the programmes you love.

Where to get BBC iPlayer on the Netgear EVA8000 Home Media Hub

Get BBC iPlayer on the Netgear EVA8000 Home Media Hub now by buying this media streamer at Amazon.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
Amazon	£313.56	Free Delivery

Review of the Nintendo Wii with BBC iPlayer

Another games console that is also offering access to the exceptional BBC catch-up television service is the Nintendo Wii with BBC iPlayer.

If you don’t know much about the Nintendo Wii it is a brilliant and simply designed games console that is aimed at the entire family, it’s great for all ages. With its most popular modern and funky white design (although currently also available in black) this console ensures fun for everyone with a range of fantastic multi-player games being their best sellers. It is a console that relies on movement for most of its popular gaming formats including Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Wii Party. There are unique wireless controllers that work by monitoring your movement in the correct manner and it possible to create your self as a character that is stored within your Wii for as long as you wish, storing data such as how long you played, what your Wii fitness age is or which game you have just finished playing.

The Nintendo Wii makes it possible to download extras to the console for other services and games – one of these being the fantastic BBC iPlayer. Here’s a BBC video of how to load iPlayer onto your Nintendo Wii.

The BBC iPlayer is a really nice catch-up television service which allows you to access hundreds of BBC television and radio programmes that have been aired over the last week. You can search using genre, channel, A-Z or day of the week search options and there is sure to be something available to suit your tastes. This service is particularly great if you have connection to the internet in one room but do not have a television channel tuned into a digital television service for example.

Where to buy a Nintendo Wii with BBC iPlayer

Buy a Nintendo Wii with BBC iPlayer at John Lewis online today.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
John Lewis	from £149.95	All makes & models
Comet	from £179.99	All makes & Models
Amazon	from £159.99	All makes & models

Review of BBC iPlayer on BT Vision

Are you looking for a television service that includes on-demand and catch up television abilities? The why not consider BT as they include their Replay service with BBC iPlayer on BT Vision as standard.

The BBC iPlayer on BT Vision is part of what BT boasts the best catch-up player in the UK. Whether you have missed your favourite show because of your busy schedule or you just forget to press record this is a really great service to keep you from missing out. It’s also great if you just don’t fancy any of the programmes playing on air right at that moment. The Replay service will provide you with access to the BBC iPlayer (BBC shows from the last 7 days) as well as catch-up from ITV, Channel 4 and Five. If you don’t know exactly what catch-up television is, it simply means that popular programmes from the last week are stored online for later viewing for all BT Vision customers.  If you need to know a bit more about exactly what the BBC iPlayer is, it is a really nice online console which stores almost all of the BBC programmes from the last 7 days (including radio shows) and this has been incorporated and adapted as part of BT Vision’s replay service.

Other great news is that the BBC iPlayer on BT Vision is available with every television package on offer at the moment, so you can enjoy BBC iPlayer on your television with even the tightest of budgets.

Where to buy BBC iPlayer on BT Vision

See BBC iPlayer on BT Vision by signing up online to BT Vision television packages today.

Retailer	Price	Other Info
BT Vision	Prices Vary per TV package	ITV and 4OD Catch-Up also included

PVR stands for Personal Video Recorder; this can also be known as a DVR or Digital Video Recorder. They let you record and play back programming - and usually also let you pause and rewind live or on demand TV.

Two types of PVR

Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) store video on digital disk drives. As a result of this the term is used for:

•   set top boxes which you get from some pay-for TV service providers such as Virgin (with the V+ Box) and Sky (with the Sky Plus Box and Sky Plus HD Box) and now for free-to-air Freeview and free-to-satellite Freesat (the new Freesat+ box from Humax); and

•   to describe software for computers which will allow you to watch TV shows and films and store them on your hard drive for certain durations of time (such as the Sky Player software download, or the BBC iPlayer service).

Which type of PVR?

Which type of PVR is suitable for you will depend on how you like to watch TV and films.

Set top box PVR: If you like to all sit together in the living room and watch television, then a set-top box connected to your TV could be best for you - for example from Sky (with the Sky Plus Box and Sky Plus HD Box, or Tiscali TV (an over-broadband service but delivered via a set top box such as the Tiscali Plus Box)

Multi-room PVR: Whereas, if you all like to watch different TV shows in different rooms a multi-box set up such as Sky Multiroom might suit you more.

Online PVR: And if you are happy watching TV programmes and films on your computer, you might be happier with an online service such as Sky Player (available on subscription or for one-off TV/film pay-per-view or own-for-ever, for Sky TV subscribers and non-subscribers).

What ISN’T a PVR?

Bear in mind that not all set-top boxes are PVRs - for example, the standard Sky box just lets you access those channels you have subscribed to - you would need a Sky Plus Box, or a Sky Plus HD Box, to access PVR features (and if you choose Sky Multiroom you would need a Sky PVR not just a standard Sky Box, to have PVR features in each room). So when you check out set top boxes, mske sure that if you want a PVR that the boxes you look at have PVR features.