Downloads

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With the arrival of services like BBC iPlayer, more and more people are downloading TV programmes to watch on their computers.

What is a download? It's a video or audio file downloaded from the internet and stored on your computer hard drive. Once stored, you can watch the TV programme on your computer whenever you like and as many times as you want (although some downloads come with certain viewing restrictions).

And what's streaming? Video streaming allows you to watch programmes directly via a website. You can start and pause a streamed programme when you like but because you can't save it to your computer as a file, you must be connected to the website to watch it. ITV.com is an example of a provider that offers streaming only.

Who's offering downloads? All the main "terrestrial" broadcasters now have an online downloads service. There's also Apple's dedicated service, iTunes, plus a host of smaller websites offering huge archives of less mainstream programmes. Some downloads are available for free, some you have to pay for. It's also worth noting that many sites require you to download and install some (free) software before you can start watching.

Here are some of the main providers:

BBC iPlayer

What is it? BBC iPlayer is currently the UK's most comprehensive and versatile free downloads service. As well as providing live streaming "simulcasts" (simultaneous broadcasts) of most BBC radio stations and TV stations, iPlayer allows you to watch and listen to the majority of BBC output completely free after it's been broadcast.

TV and radio programmes are available to stream from the site for seven days after broadcast (but see the section on series stacking below), or you can install some free software that allows you to download most shows (depending on licensing agreements) and keep them on your computer for up to 30 days (after which they are automatically deleted from your computer - see our section on DRM, below).

Although downloads tend to be of better quality than direct streams, iPlayer now has a "high quality" streaming option available for computers with a fast internet connection (at least 1Mb per second). But the specifications of your computer can also affect picture quality.

What's series stacking? Series stacking extends the availability of entire series, meaning you can watch every episode until seven days after the series ends on television. So if you only discover a series partway through its run, you can still catch up with the whole thing (although be aware that there are a number of restrictions on which series will be stacked and for how long).

Can I watch iPlayer shows on portable devices? Yes. iPlayer now allows you to download TV programmes to an expanding range of portable video players and mobile phones, which is an attractive free alternative to paid-for services like Apple's iTunes.

See a list of the portable devices that work with iPlayer…

ITV.com

Like iPlayer, ITV.com lets you catch up with the channels' recent programming, but it also offers a whole host of shows from the searchable archives. It's free, too, but it uses streaming only, so you have to watch online. Also like iPlayer, the site provides simulcasts of all ITV channels, so you can watch "live" TV on your computer.

Channel 4 Catch-Up

Channel 4's new service allows free streaming of most of their programmes from the last 30 days, with shows usually available the day after they're broadcast. Unlike with 4oD (see below), you don't need to download any extra software (although you will need Windows Media Player 11). You just go to the site, choose the programme you're after from the drop-down menu, select the Instant Access option and the show should start to play (following a few adverts) in a pop-out window.

4oD

Through 4oD, Channel 4 offers thousands of hours of programming, ranging from last night's shows to archive classics. There's often a choice of streaming or downloading but for both you first have to visit their site and install the free application. Many programmes are free, but some you pay for (99p each to rent or £1.99 to keep).

Films on 4oD
4oD also boasts an impressive selection of feature films at £2.99 each to rent (after downloading to your computer, they are available for a period of 48 hours, during which you can watch them as many times as you like - see our explanation of DRM, below).

Demand Five

Demand Five allows online streaming of a large proportion of Five's output for free after it's been broadcast. This content includes soaps, documentaries, entertainment and even some US dramas such as Grey's Anatomy, and is usually available for 30 days after broadcast.

Demand Five also offers limited paid-for content in the form of the three CSI franchises. To access these shows you need to sign up to the site (this is quick and easy and also allows you to rate and review programmes) and install some free software.

To rent an episode costs between 99p and £1.99*, depending on whether it has already been broadcast on Five (*some episodes may also be free to stream after broadcast - check the site for details). Once you've paid to rent an episode you need to download it to your computer within 14 days or you'll lose it. You then have 48 hours to watch it as many times as you like before it's automatically deleted from your computer.

Sky Player

What is it? Sky Player is Sky's online viewing service, available to both Sky satellite subscribers and non-subscribers - so you can watch on your computer without the need for a Sky dish or set-top box. Sky Player offers a mixture of "live" and on-demand TV, with subscription and non-subscription options.

Live TV Live TV, and most catch-up of Sky programmes, is free for existing Sky TV subscribers (although rights issues may affect the availability of some shows). Non-Sky TV subscribers must take out an online subscription to Sky Player (costing from £15 to £38 per month, depending on the package. A sports highlights package - not including live coverage - is also available for £4.89). Minimum subscription length is one month.

On-demand TV and film Anyone can access Sky Player's on-demand TV and film archive. Just register for free on the site. You'll then be charged individually for each programme or film you watch. Prices for films start at £2.45, with TV programmes from 98p per episode to rent for 48 hours - or more if you buy them to keep. There are more than 500 films available, from Sky Movies and Sky Box Office, and over 1,000 episodes of series ranging from big US dramas like Lost, 24, Desperate Housewives and Heroes (originating from Sky1 as well as broadcasters including the BBC), plus entertainment, factual, kids and lifestyle shows (from channels including History, Bio, National Geographic Channel and Sky Real Lives).

What's the quality like? All Sky films and programmes can be streamed immediately or downloaded to your computer to watch later. Sky offers low-, medium- and high-quality streaming services. The high-quality stream should be comparable with a normal TV broadcast but, as always, picture and sound quality will ultimately depend on the speed of your broadband connection and your computer.

What software do I need to use Sky Player? To watch Sky Movies channels or download programmes, you need to register, then download and install the Sky Player software from the site. It's not currently available on Macs but you can watch Sky Player live TV in your web browser on any recent PC or Intel-based Mac. You'll also need to download and install the Microsoft Silverlight 2.0 plug-in if you don't already have it. Only one computer per household can be used to view live TV channels on Sky Player at any one time.

Visit the Sky Player website

Joost

An example of an independent site, Joost offers a wide range of programmes, often with cult status or niche appeal. There's sci-fi, horror and animation, documentary, entertainment and sport. Joost also features some film content (but don't expect blockbuster movies). It requires you to sign up and install some free software.

iTunes

Although iTunes is known predominantly as a site for downloading music and podcasts, it also offers an increasing number of mainstream TV shows to buy (at £1.89 per episode). They are often downloaded to users' video iPods, but can be watched on a computer too. You must download and install the free software.

Audio downloads

BBC iPlayer has a radio section where you can stream the majority of its output from the last seven days, or as it's broadcast. On top of that, the BBC - and an increasing number of commercial radio stations - offer "listen again" facilities directly via their websites. Just log on and listen on your computer (you can listen to radio shows in real-time this way too).

Commercial sites such as BBC Audio Zone offer spoken word downloads - from drama to comedy, documentary to memoirs - to buy and keep. You can play them on your computer or an MP3 player.

Podcasts

Many radio shows (and even TV programmes) also offer podcasts. These are downloadable audio (or video) files - often highlights packages or daily/weekly updates - that you can listen to on your computer or on a portable MP3 player such as an iPod. So they're particularly intended to be listened to on the move.

The BBC offers a wide range of podcasts, often linked to its radio and TV shows, to download for free.

Browse BBC podcasts…

There are also thousands of individuals producing their own personal podcasts (on the widest range of subjects imaginable), many of which are available via iTunes.

What is DRM?

This stands for digital rights management (DRM) and it's the way that content owners protect downloaded videos from misuse, such as unauthorised copying or sharing. Almost all video downloads from legitimate providers come with DRM and it's used for a number of things, for example, to stop users from copying videos onto another PC or a DVD. If you are watching a rental download, the DRM will delete the video file after a pre-set time.

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