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 | |
If you are looking for a simple Freesat box which is affordable and uncomplicated then consider the Humax Foxsat HD Freesat Box. This receiver will help you get access to all the Freesat channels available but it doesn’t have any fancy PVR features which some people aren’t looking for.
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