Features

Can I watch programmes in Ultra HD on my connected TV?

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:50:02 +0000

Can I watch programmes in Ultra HD on my connected TV?

If you've got a supported TV, you can enjoy our selection of programmes in stunning Ultra High Definition (UHD) and High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Which devices are supported?

You'll know if your TV is supported as you'll see the 'UHD' icon on any of the listed programmes.

Your TV will also need to be a supported device to be able to access our Ultra HD programmes. Search for your TV manufacturer on our help site, or have a look at the table on the following page: How can I check if 91�ȱ� iPlayer is available on a particular TV?

Please note that Apple TV is not currently supported for UHD content on iPlayer.

How can I access Ultra HD programmes?

Just open the 91�ȱ� iPlayer app on your TV and search for one of our UHD programmes. For live content, check the iPlayer homepage on your TV app, or find the programme in a search or within the relevant category.

You'll need to make sure your video quality is set to Best Quality. Find out how to do that here: How do I set the video quality on my connected TV or games console?

What programmes are available in Ultra HD?

We have a full list of available UHD programmes here: What programmes can I watch in Ultra HD?

Having streaming issues?

You'll need an internet connection of 24MBit/s for the full 3840 pixel Ultra HD experience, or 12MBit/s for 2560 pixel Ultra HD.

If you're having streaming issues, your connection may not be fast or stable enough to play the Ultra HD stream smoothly at that time. In this case, changing your video quality settings to Standard Definition will allow you to watch the programme in SD. Find out how to do that in our How do I set the video quality on my connected TV or games console? page.

Video too dark in UHD? Check the 91�ȱ� Research & Development Blog for further info and help: How to Adjust Your TV to Enjoy the Best Picture Quality in HDR

Anonymous (not verified) 17 March 2021

How do I fast forward or rewind live programmes on my TV?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:00 +0000

How do I fast forward or rewind live programmes on my TV?

To access the play controls just press any button on your remote whilst playing a programme. Then navigate to the progress bar (the pink line running across the bottom of the screen) and press either right to fast forward or left to rewind.

You won't be able to fast forward past the live point, and you won’t be able to rewind to earlier than the beginning of the current programme. We’ve added three minutes of extra time at the beginning of each programme to allow for changes in the TV schedule.

Why can’t I see the progress bar?

Not all devices use the same technology which means not every device supports fast forward and rewind of live TV on 91�ȱ� iPlayer. If you can’t see the progress bar on live programmes, this feature isn’t available on your device.

What if I’ve paused a programme?

If you've paused for a significant amount of time (for example 30 minutes or more) then there may be a new programme being shown. If you fast forward, you'll only be able to fast forward to the end of the programme you started watching. When you fast forward to the end the stream will be paused. To play the new programme, simply press play.

Remember, if you've just missed a live programme, it will be added as an on-demand programme on 91�ȱ� iPlayer as soon as it has been converted into the correct format.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

What is the beta programme for 91�ȱ� iPlayer on connected TVs and games consoles?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:42:28 +0000

What is the beta programme for 91�ȱ� iPlayer on connected TVs and games consoles?

iPlayer BETA is an experimental area where you can try out new features in our 91�ȱ� iPlayer application for connected TVs and games consoles and tell us what you think. iPlayer BETA may behave differently than standard iPlayer because we’re still developing the features in BETA.

In iPlayer BETA, there is a different 91�ȱ� iPlayer logo to remind you that you’re in BETA mode:

You can leave feedback about iPlayer BETA by heading to the BETA Feedback site on your mobile, laptop or tablet: bbc.in/beta

For instructions on how to turn on or off iPlayer BETA, have a look at the How do I switch BETA mode on or off on connected TVs and games consoles? page.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

How do I turn off personalised features in 91�ȱ� iPlayer?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:00 +0000

How do I turn off personalised features in 91�ȱ� iPlayer?

You can turn off personalisation in your 91�ȱ� account settings. For more information on how to do this, visit the Using the 91�ȱ� website.

These are the personalised features in 91�ȱ� iPlayer that you will be opted out of:

Personalised programme recommendations
What we recommend based on what you’ve watched
Watching list
Found in My Programmes, this section keeps track of what you watch, offering new episodes when available
Cross-device resume
If you pause a programme on one device and continue watching on another device, the programme will start from the point you left off
Newsletter
While you can still receive the newsletter, you won’t get a personalised email suggesting more of the types of programmes you’re interested in

Bear in mind, it may take a little while for any changes you make to come into effect. But you can speed things up by signing out of your 91�ȱ� account and signing back in again on all of the devices you use your 91�ȱ� account on.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Can you notify me when a new episode becomes available?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:42:28 +0000

Can you notify me when a new episode becomes available?

Yes, we can. If you add a show to your Watchlist we’ll notify you on the 91�ȱ� website when a new episode is available.

How will you notify me?

At the top of the page (and to the right of your account name) you’ll see a bell – that’s the notification icon. If the notification icon has a blue dot beside it then a new episode for a programme in your added list is available. This will also show new episodes from any programmes in your 91�ȱ� Sounds Subscribed list.

Just click on the notification icon to see a list of new episodes available. You can click to play a programme from this list.

At the moment, new episode notifications are available on the website only.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

What does the Share option mean?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:45 +0000

What does the Share option mean?

On the 91�ȱ� iPlayer app for mobiles and tablets, you’ll find a link to Share a programme under the episode description.

By clicking on this button you can share a link to the programme on various apps installed on your phone or tablet. You can also use the Share button to copy a link to the programme which you can send via text or email.

Head to the Using the 91�ȱ� website to find out more about sharing content from the 91�ȱ�.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

What is Picture in Picture mode and how do I use it?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:42:28 +0000

What is Picture in Picture mode and how do I use it?

Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers feature Picture in Picture mode, which allows you to watch videos in a smaller, movable screen while you visit other websites, switch between tabs or perform other tasks on your computer or laptop. Picture in Picture is also available on some iOS devices. You can use Picture in Picture mode with both live and on-demand programmes.

How do I enable Picture in Picture?

Apple users can activate Picture in Picture from the 91�ȱ� iPlayer app by simply playing a programme then navigating away from the app. The video will continue in a smaller screen which can be adjusted using 'pinch and zoom' and 'dragging' gestures. For more information, have a look here: Multitask with Picture in Picture.

On the website, you'll see the option to use Picture in Picture mode on 91�ȱ� iPlayer at the bottom right corner of the playback screen (on Firefox, you will first need to enable Picture in Picture mode by going to Options > Browsing > Enable picture-in-picture video controls):

You'll be able to pause, play, and adjust the size of the video screen while using Picture in Picture mode.

The original window will display a black screen in the playback area along with a message advising that the video is playing in Picture in Picture. You can use the same icon to close Picture in Picture and return the playback the main window.

Known limitations

The page you're playing the episode from must be kept active in the background while using Picture in Picture mode. If you close the tab, the pop-out video screen will also close.
Subtitles are only available in the main playback screen, and not in the pop-out video screen.
Autoplay will automatically play the next episode in the main playback screen, so you will have to re-activate Picture in Picture mode.
To use the playback bar (for example, to rewind or fast-forward the programme), you will need to go back to the 91�ȱ� iPlayer website tab.

Why can't I see the Picture in Picture toggle?

Picture in Picture mode is available on computers and laptops using Firefox version 71 or above, Google Chrome 70 or above, or Safari browsers on macOS Sierra or above, and on iOS 14.0 and above. If you're using Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari and can't see the Picture in Picture toggle, make sure your browser is up to date:

What should I do if I have a problem with Picture in Picture?

For help or advice using Picture in Picture mode, check your browser's support pages. Picture in Picture isn't a 91�ȱ� iPlayer feature, so unfortunately we're not able to help with issues using or accessing this.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

How do I use Live Restart?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:45:45 +0000

How do I use Live Restart?

With Live Restart, you can restart a live programme straight away, before it becomes available on demand. How you use Live Restart depends on the device you're using.

First choose a 91�ȱ� TV channel from the Channels menu. The programme currently being broadcast is listed as On Now. Then:

Connected TV

There are several ways to restart a live programme:

From the 91�ȱ� iPlayer TV app
You have the option to Watch live or Watch from start. Selecting 'Watch live' will start the programme at the current live position. Choosing 'Watch from the start' will start the programme at the beginning. You can also begin a live steam and then rewind the programme to the start using the arrows or rewind and enter buttons on your remote.
The live restart prompt
If you're watching a 91�ȱ� channel on a compatible TV, you may see a prompt on screen to advise that you can watch from the start. Depending on the device, you'll be able to either press the green button or the select/OK button on your remote control to load the 91�ȱ� iPlayer app and start playback from the beginning. Press the yellow button, or the back button on Sky Q, to remove the on-screen prompt.
The connected red button
Press the red button on your remote to load the connected red button service. Once loaded you have the option to restart the current programme which will then load the 91�ȱ� iPlayer app and start playing from the beginning.

Not seeing the option to watch from the start? Your TV may not support Live Restart. Check this page for more info: Does my TV device support Live Restart?

Website

You have the option to Watch Live or Watch from start:

If you're watching from the live point, you can restart the programme, or rewind by up to two hours, using the on screen playback controls. The time shown above the bar is the time of day you're rewinding to.

Mobile or tablet app

Choose a channel from the rail in the Explore menu, then tap the Watch live button to start the live stream.

When the programme starts, tap the Start button to the right of the playback controls. You can also rewind in 10 second blocks, or use the progress bar to drag the live stream back to the time you'd like, up to two hours.

Please note that Live Restart is not available on Chromecast (but we're aware of interest) and a few connected TVs. To check if your TV is supported see the Does my TV device support Live or Watch from Start? page.

Why doesn't Live Restart always take me back to the precise start of the programme?

Live Restart uses scheduled broadcast times as a reference for when a programme starts. Schedules can and do change, so sometimes it may be slightly off. If this happens, you can always use the slider on the player to move forward or back to the precise point when the programme starts.

Can I rewind the live stream as well?

If you're using the website or the mobile/tablet app, you can manually select a point in time in the live stream up to a maximum of two hours ago. If you're using the TV app, you can rewind to the beginning of the programme that's currently playing.

Why aren’t subtitles available when I use Live Restart?

Live subtitles are available through the 91�ȱ� iPlayer website and the TV app. This is a trial on all of our channels apart from 91�ȱ� Parliament, 91�ȱ� Alba and S4C. We hope to roll out this functionality to the 91�ȱ� iPlayer mobile/tablet app in the future. Our How do I use subtitles on 91�ȱ� iPlayer? page has more info on using subtitles.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

Does my TV device support Live or Watch from Start?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:42:28 +0000

Does my TV device support Live or Watch from Start?

Playing a programme live or playing it from the start isn't available on all TVs, games consoles, Blu-Ray players or set-top boxes. The easiest way to find out if your device is supported is by launching the 91�ȱ� iPlayer TV app. Then check the following:

Choose a currently-broadcasting channel in the Channels section of 91�ȱ� iPlayer
If you can see the On Now panel at the top and you can "Watch live" or "Watch from start" (at the bottom of the panel), then your device supports live and watch from the start

If you can’t see the phrase "Watch from start" in the On Now panel then your device supports live only.
If you can’t see the On Now panel, then neither Live nor Watch from Start are available on your device.

You can learn more in the How do I use Live Restart? page.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019

What are recommendations?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 13:46:29 +0000

What are recommendations?

When you watch something on 91�ȱ� iPlayer we'll recommend programmes we think you’ll like.

These recommendations are based on things you’ve already watched. So if you’ve watched a David Attenborough documentary in the past, we might recommend another nature programme.

How can I improve my recommendations?

The more you watch, the better your recommendations will get.

We try to recommend programmes that are similar to things you’ve watched. We also recommend things that people with similar tastes are watching. We’ll then return the favour by using what you’ve watched to help make recommendations to other people.

What if I don’t want personalised recommendations?

Personalised recommendations are just one of the personalisation features offered in 91�ȱ� iPlayer. You can opt out of personalisation in your 91�ȱ� account settings. For more information on how to do this, visit the Using the 91�ȱ� website.

Anonymous (not verified) 03 October 2019