AOL Blocking BBC Iplayer

[ATNotts]

Came a cross this when my elderly father was telling that he couldn't access BBC I-Player using his AOL browser. I didn't think that was right and tried for myself on his machine.

Sure enough, when I tried to start streaming using his AOL homepage a message popped up saying it couldn't load.

I treid again using Chrome on his machine - and hey presto got access with no problem. However, then having closed down Chrome, when I tried to re-open it (Chrome) it wouldn't load at all.

Is there something within AOL's software that doesn't want you to access BBC streaming services? I can't find anything within the settings on the computer that I could change to permit access to BBC I-player via AOL, or to allow unfettered access to Chrome.

I know the obvious solution is to get rid of AOL as the ISP, but as my father us used to AOL I don't really want to do that, even though just fiddling with it yesterday I can see it is hardly ideal.

[mixture]

ATNotts,

Why anyone would willingly use AOL these days is beyond me..... but you've already covered that point. :E

All the cheap home broadband ISPs do some form of packet shaping, rate limiting etc. in order for them to be able to deliver the stupidly low prices.

But the problem with AOL is they are more aggressive than most... they also run caching proxies on their network that all user traffic is forced through. This has been hinted at by the BBC as causing issues (see BBC answer to question "I am based in the UK - why am I seeing the International version?" here UK content on BBC online - Outside the UK - BBC - FAQs - Home (http://www.bbc.co.uk/faqs/online/website_changes))

The BBC have also withdrawn the rather useful iPlayer diagnostics tool, so I can't even provide you with a link to that either.

Basically you're stuffed.

[vulcanised]

IIRC, AOL is owned by Talktalk and I can't see them blocking iPlayer.

If they do, them I'm off !

[mixture]

IIRC, AOL is owned by Talktalk and I can't see them blocking iPlayer.

TalkTalk don't block iPlayer.

AOL UK were bought by Carphone Warehouse who then sold it to TalkTalk. Continued access to the AOL portal and other core AOL features was retained as pat of the deal. Therefore AOL UK customer traffic is likely to be routed in a different manner than TalkTalk customers.

TalkTalk and AOL is not like the wolf in sheep's clothing scenario that is BT and Plusnet.

[ATNotts]

Thanks very much for all the responses - seems I'll have to convince him to change ISP - it's hardly rocket science, especially as he's already a Sky customer for his TV.

How good Sky are I don't know, but I haven't heard anything bad about them myself.

[mixture]

seems I'll have to convince him to change ISP

Well, you didn't mention it, but I assume you've tried to resolve the issue through AOL support channels with no success ? A bit far fetched, but it might, just might, be some sort of temporary problem ?

How good Sky are I don't know, but I haven't heard anything bad about them myself.

Sky bought Easynet, who were a very well respected business service that also ran the excellent UKOnline service for home users.

I've not had any experience of the Sky products for home users, but the products sold for businesses under the Easynet brand continue to be excellent.

If Sky give you the option as a home user, try to ensure you're getting an LLU broadband line. LLU on the Easynet network is so much better than the BT Broadband that every man and his dog sells as a re-branded product.

[ATNotts]

Well, you didn't mention it, but I assume you've tried to resolve the issue through AOL support channels with no success ? A bit far fetched, but it might, just might, be some sort of temporary problem ?

It's been ongoing for a while so I guess it's not a short term technical issue.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I have been an AOL user since they first started and I know people are always knocking it. However, I have rarely had any problems and BBC Iplayer is working quite OK as I write this...

[mixture]

ATNotts,

Just a thought given the comment from Heathrow Director.... is your Adobe Flash fully up to date ?

Microsoft's proprietary WMA format


LFAJ,

Since when did they stream in WMA ? iPlayer has always been flash based.

[vulcanised]

The iPlayer software is not the best.

Whenever mine trips up badly I go the route of telling it it isn't installed when download time comes and then reinstall it. Bit of a pain but it keeps any programmes I have downloaded and seems to solve the problems for a while.

[mixture]

Clearly I didn't recall correctly, then. But, hey, all I was doing was trying to help.

Don't worry, you were only half wrong.... :E

They used to offer an optional WMA stream/download for Radio for those who could not / would not use iPlayer.