ABC iView
Encyclopedia
ABC iview is a video on demand
and Catch up TV service run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
. The service became available on 24 July 2008. This was the next step after the podcasting of programmes since July 2006. Currently, this site is only viewable to users in Australia. The site streams video in 650kbps H.264 format. The iview website uses the RTMP
protocol, and is thus officially accessible mainly on platforms supported by Adobe Flash
, however the iPad
and internet connected TVs such as Sony and Samsung provide access through use native applications.
In November and December 2008 the iview player was updated to allow for unmetering by several Australian ISPs through a peering arrangement with Hostworks. The ISPs included Internode
, iPrimus, Westnet
, Apex Internet and Adam Internet
. iiNet
was able to offer iview unmetered without the peering upgrade. In addition, AARNet
, Cinenet, and Comcen/SPIN since offer unmetered access to iview. The ABC News 24
live stream and content not streamed using Adobe Flash
(i.e. through the iPad and internet connected TVs) is currently not unmetered however this may change in the future.
Some shows may premiere on iview before they feature ABC1, such as Rake
.
or flvstreamer to download the videos for offline playing or watch them in another RTMP-supporting client (such as XBMC).
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
and Catch up TV service run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
. The service became available on 24 July 2008. This was the next step after the podcasting of programmes since July 2006. Currently, this site is only viewable to users in Australia. The site streams video in 650kbps H.264 format. The iview website uses the RTMP
Real Time Messaging Protocol
Real Time Messaging Protocol was initially a proprietary protocol developed by Macromedia for streaming audio, video and data over the Internet, between a Flash player and a server...
protocol, and is thus officially accessible mainly on platforms supported by Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
, however the iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
and internet connected TVs such as Sony and Samsung provide access through use native applications.
In November and December 2008 the iview player was updated to allow for unmetering by several Australian ISPs through a peering arrangement with Hostworks. The ISPs included Internode
Internode
Internode may refer to:* A portion of a plant stem between nodes* Internode , an Internet service provider in Australia* Internodal segment, a portion of a nerve fiber...
, iPrimus, Westnet
Westnet
Westnet is a Perth-based Australian telecommunications company providing broadband ADSL, broadband ADSL2+, satellite broadband, dialup Internet, telephony and web-hosting services to homes and businesses across Australia.See also Internet in Australia...
, Apex Internet and Adam Internet
Adam Internet
-Background:Originally founded in 1986 as the Adelaide Amiga club, Adam Internet grew out of the original bulletin board system of the Adelaide Amiga User Group. The bulletin board was set up in 1987 and was originally run by the user group, but was co-opted by its sysop, Greg Hicks...
. iiNet
IiNet
iiNet Limited is Australia's second largest internet service provider with over 1.3 million customers as of 15th August 2011. Their focus is primarily on ADSL-based Internet access, using their own ADSL2+ infrastructure, and reselling Telstra ADSL1. iiNet also provides dial-up and voice...
was able to offer iview unmetered without the peering upgrade. In addition, AARNet
AARNet
AARNet or Australian Academic and Research Network offers Internet services to the Australian education and research communities and their research partners.AARNet is a not-for-profit company limited by shares...
, Cinenet, and Comcen/SPIN since offer unmetered access to iview. The ABC News 24
ABC News 24
ABC News 24 is an Australian 24-hour news channel launched and owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The channel replaced the former ABC High Definition simulcast of ABC1 and commenced broadcasting at 7:30pm 5:30 on Thursday, 22 July 2010.-Pre-launch:The ABC announced in January 2010...
live stream and content not streamed using Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
(i.e. through the iPad and internet connected TVs) is currently not unmetered however this may change in the future.
Some shows may premiere on iview before they feature ABC1, such as Rake
Rake (TV series)
Rake is an Australian television series, produced by Essential Media and Entertainment, that first aired on ABC1 in 2010. It stars Richard Roxburgh as Cleaver Greene, a brilliant but self-destructive barrister, a rake...
.
Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players
- SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
Bravia TVs and blu-ray players offer an Internet Video Service which includes iview. - SamsungSamsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul...
TV and Blu-ray devices with the internet@TV/SMARTtv can install an iview app as of June 2011
Android devices
- Any Android device with Adobe flash support can view the ABC iview directly via the website. ABC iview
iOS devices
- The ABC iview for iPadIPadThe iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
App was launched in December 2010. - An iPhoneIPhoneThe iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
(and presumably iPadIPadThe iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
) App is planned for 2011.
Games consoles and other devices
- Xbox 360Xbox 360The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
will support iview in an upcoming update in late 2011. - PlayStation 3PlayStation 3The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
supports iview, accessible via the XrossMediaBar. - BoxeeBOXEEBoxee is a cross-platform freeware HTPC software application with a 10-foot user interface and social networking features designed for the living-room TV...
Box supports iview as of January 2011. - HiMedia HD500/HD560/HD600 series media player/centre with the enhanced firmware can play iview and other catchup TV services.
Offline viewing
Unlike the ABC's podcasts, programs on the iview service are not officially downloadable and are only available to watch for a short time after the program has aired on the ABC. However, some individuals have been able to reverse-engineer the method that the Flash application uses to request videos from the media streaming servers to allow programs such as rtmpdumpProtected Streaming
Protected Streaming is a DRM technology by Adobe. The aim of the technology is to protect digital content from unauthorized use....
or flvstreamer to download the videos for offline playing or watch them in another RTMP-supporting client (such as XBMC).