Digital Workshop

"Real" encoded video and audio is common on the 'net, and many of us know only too well that the standard Real Player is full of spyware and adware.

What I only discovered yesterday is that there is a spy/ad free version of the Real Player available via the BBC website. The BBC use real-encoded stuff extensively and apparently have done some deal with Real Networks to provide a hassle free version in return for the BBC using the format.

BBC version download page is here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/audiohelp_install.shtml

It still downloads from Real, but as I say is a special BBC version - I installed it yesterday on a single PC and have had no trace of any unwanted effects.

Rob Kirkwood
www.visibleform.co.uk

Much appreciated, Rob... I really dislike Real, (and QuickTime for the same reason).

Havingh experimented with Real, WMV & QT we've now re-encoded the videos on our website to be Flash video... nicer front ends, faster streaming and (... tests have shown...) a good chance of being seen by the corporate world we move in!

We're continuing to experiment with the streaming rate of these flash videos, as we've still got customers on ISDN speeds... we were hoping to get the new BT fast service for ourselves, but they've decided so far that, although we can have the 512 service we've always had, we're too far from the exchange to get everything else they're trumpeting about.

Another battle to go and fight, I guess. You still with BT?

Hi Linda, yes still with BT - though it's been a bit flakey recently.

I've been offered free 2MB service upgrade from existing 512, and our line does check out - but a condition is that I lock in for another 12 months minimum. As we're (still!) planning a move soon, I won't be playing that game with them! A faster upload speed would be more use to me anyway.

Rob