Problems With Philips Opus and BBC iPlayer

[phil8715]

I recently bought a Philips GoGear Opus media player, specifically for sideloading from BBC iPlayer. I have had problems with it from day one, so I hope someone here can help me sort it out, or at least tell me if they have the same problems as I have.

I download the BBC iPlayer content of my choice from iPlayer to the netbook (which runs on Windows 7), using the “download to portable devices” option. I save the downloads to a dedicated “iPlayer” folder on my netbook, ready to sideload to my media player. This is all well and good so far.

The problem arises when I try to transfer to the media player from the computer. I connect the player to the computer, the player acts on the default settings I gave it, by opening the player to view the files. I then navigate to the iPlayer folder on the player, ready to copy the TV content I have downloaded from the computer to the media player. I drag and drop the programme from the iPlayer folder on my computer to the equivalent folder on my media player, which seems to work fine, although it does sync very quickly – quicker than normal. I then attempt to play the programme on my media player. On doing so, the player produces an error message saying “Unsupported file format. Use Philips Media Converter to convert files to the device”. The Media Converter will not convert the files to the device, as the files are DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected.

The GoGear player is listed on the iPlayer compatibility list as being compatible with iPlayer, which is why I specifically chose this model of player. Music works fine on it, as do videos from YouTube, and other unprotected formats.

I have contacted Philips, who are looking into the problem, with help from the BBC iPlayer team, but the iPlayer team themselves are saying nothing – not on the main IPlayer screen or the iPlayer messageboards. Other users are discussing it on the messageboards, and all are having the same problems. The main devices that are having these problems are the Philips Opus and the Philips Ariaz, but other players are having the same issues too. I have a different brand of player (a Bush brand) and my partner has a Samsung player; neither of these are having these issues.

Is anyone else having these problems, or can anyone suggest a course of action to take? Time is of the essence on this, as IPlayer programmes are only available for 7 days after they are first broadcast.

[CrowdAds]

[nodirectionhome]

If it's a wmv file it should (as per advertised) play on your philips.

If it doesn't then take the player back.

[pmh]

I am having exactly the same problems - plays the wmv file ok in Media Player v11 ( so it is getting the DRM ok) then I copy the file to Phillips media covertor which gives me the failed 'copy protected file' message.


Has anybody solved the problem or has a Phillips Opus playing Iplayer files.

[phil8715]

I am in consultation with the BBC to find a solution. I have sent a detailed email to the head of BBC online services team.

Watch this space.

[nodirectionhome]

i think this is an issue with Philips rather than the BBC.

[phil8715]

No. The BBC have said that the problem lies with them. I am in contact with the head of online internet services at the BBC and he thinks he knows what went wrong.

[pmh]

Any progress 0n this - the problem still exists.

I have solved the problem (at a cost) of washing the drm on the file - but do not have that software on ths my second machine. Any reputable freeware available?