The BBC and Freesat are preparing for a 'beta test' phase of the much-anticipated iPlayer application using Freesat gear's built-in broadband connection.
Writing on the BBC Internet Blog, Rahul Chakkara said: "I expect to start a Beta deployment by the end of November using capable Freesat devices."
This will be the first deployment of the iPlayer on a free-to-air set-top box, following its availability on Virgin Media and games consoles.
Chakkara, who is controller of TV platforms at BBC Future Media and Technology, said: "Our success with BBC iPlayer on Virgin Media, has shown that there is an appetite among our audience for BBC iPlayer on the television.
"MHEG-5 is a standard that has been used for developing and presenting interactive television in the UK for nearly a decade.
"Recently, the Digital Television Group supported by BBC R&D, has extended the standard to use the interaction channel for handling Internet video. This standard has been adopted by Freesat and incorporated into the DBook 6.1 used in Freeview HD devices. We have been developing BBC iPlayer using this standard."
Posted by Lee B (127.0.0.1) on November 04, 2009 at 04:30 PM GMT #