Reduction in bitrate of live World Service feed (BBC iPlayer)

[eag23]

I'm a huge fan of the BBC and I use Triode's plugin multiple times throughout each day. I was disappointed to discover recently that the live BBC World Service stream now only comes in at 32kbps AAC, rather than the 128kbps AAC that I had been receiving it in. Does this have anything to do with the recent update of Triode's plugin to version 1.2.7, or is it the result of actions by the BBC on their end? As far as I can tell from Triode's code, he is pulling in the identical URL for the live World Service feed in both version 1.2.5 and version 1.2.7 of his plugin. I should reiterate that I am located in the USA ... not sure if being outside the UK could be creating this situation or not.

[bpa]

Recently for non UK users, BBC have reduced the rate for live AAC and Flash/AAC national streams it looks like the same has happened to World Service. In reality the BBC have just made the streams "normal" again. A couple a years ago they were 48k and for a while they went up to 128 just like UK but now the BBC seems have gone to 32k for flashaac and 56k for aac. 56k AAC may look better than 48l but the 56k aac streams have also changed from 44.1kHz to 32kHz.

The changes seems to be part of a iPlayer update http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcintern...page_beta.html - perhaps BBC is cutting costs again by reducing data rate to users who do not pay the licence fee.

[ericj]

I notice that Radio 3 was at 56k acc the other night, as well. Related? I enjoyed the hd stream.

[Triode]

I notice that Radio 3 was at 56k acc the other night, as well. Related? I enjoyed the hd stream.

I suspect it is, but I've just added the old Radio 3 HD stream to the "special events" menu which you will find at the bottom of the top level BBCiPlayer menu - does this work and what bitrate does it payback at? [I am not sure if the metadata will be correct, but does it sound better than 56k?]

[ericj]

I suspect it is, but I've just added the old Radio 3 HD stream to the "special events" menu which you will find at the bottom of the top level BBCiPlayer menu - does this work and what bitrate does it payback at?

Thanks so much. Actually it does not play at all. If it is useful, if I go to the Radio 3 web page and try the HD stream there, it reports "Not available in your area"

Seems like a missed revenue generating opportunity for the BEEB.
I'm in the US btw.

[Triode]

Thanks so much. Actually it does not pay at all. If it is useful, if I go to the Radio 3 web page and try the HD stream there, it reports "Not available in your area"

Seems like a missed revenue generating opportunity for the BEEB.
I'm in the US btw.

OK - thanks for that - I will remove it again to avoid the confusion - it does confirm the BBC locking down its high bitrate streams though.

[eag23]

Triode,

Are you located in the U.S., btw, or Europe (just curious). Also, how can I tell if a BBC stream I'm receiving is Flash/AAC or AAC? Is one format superior to the other from a sound quality perspective when both are at the same bitrate? Thanks.

[eag23]

I notice that Radio 3 was at 56k acc the other night, as well. Related? I enjoyed the hd stream.

Being located in the US, I was never able to play the BBC 3 HD stream. Given that you're also in the US, how was it that you were able to play the HD stream?

[eag23]

Recently for non UK users, BBC have reduced the rate for live AAC and Flash/AAC national streams it looks like the same has happened to World Service. In reality the BBC have just made the streams "normal" again. A couple a years ago they were 48k and for a while they went up to 128 just like UK but now the BBC seems have gone to 32k for flashaac and 56k for aac. 56k AAC may look better than 48l but the 56k aac streams have also changed from 44.1kHz to 32kHz.

The changes seems to be part of a iPlayer update http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcintern...page_beta.html - perhaps BBC is cutting costs again by reducing data rate to users who do not pay the licence fee.

Just curious ... how do you know that the 56kbps streams have been changed from 44.1KHz to 32KHz? I'd like to know how to find this type of info for myself (and not have to bother people here for it). Thanks again!!

[bpa]

Just curious ... how do you know that the 56kbps streams have been changed from 44.1KHz to 32KHz? I'd like to know how to find this type of info for myself (and not have to bother people here for it). Thanks again!!

You need to find a player that can shows that information (usually under something like properties or codec details) when playing the stream . VLC and mplayer are typical players. For a while the BBC was offering two AAC streams for live radio with different encoding profiles (e.g. BBC Radio 2 streams had names bbcmedia_intl_he_radio2_p and bbcmedia_intl_lc_radio2_p ) - one was a 48k/44.1kHz and the 2nd 56k/32KHz. Now only the 56k is being offered. Not sure was it comparison testing or a planned transition.