BBC Multicast

I'm just about to migrate out from Eclipse. and IDNet are on my shortlist.

I've just read that IDNet are running the BBC Multicast trial. Is this true, and how would I take part?

I'd like more info on this too.

IDNet are taking part in the trial, but you might like to visit here to check whether your hardware will work. Modems should be OK, routers are a lot more doubtful.

My router isn't on the list, though Linksys reckon it should be OK, I can't yet get it to work

i signed up and getting username/password but not sure what else i need to do. Also noticed by router isn't on the list and i think need to read that whole thread when get in.

Further information from IDNET would be really handy

This is the latest info on their site re: multicast. Also check the link above for your hardware and IGMP protocol compatibility.

HTH
S

That's not Multicast, it's the BBC Broadband Service.

Multicast is here.


edit- links added.

Edited by billford (Tue 10-Oct-06 16:05:51)

Quite frankly, I am very wary of Multicast as I have read that is a bandwidth stealer if one signs up to it.
So, for the time being I will avoid it & it might actually be a reason to make me migrate away. Depending on how IDNet utilise Multicast.
Let those who want to dive in feet first do so.

Yoinks (reads page again !)
So it is...mea culpa
S

In reply to:

---

I am very wary of Multicast as I have read that is a bandwidth stealer if one signs up to it.

---

Rubbish, it's designed to use less bandwidth than on-demand systems such as the BBCs Broadband service.

From: Multicast - Wikipedia

Multicast is the delivery of information to a group of destinations simultaneously using the most efficient strategy to deliver the messages over each link of the network only once and only create copies when the links to the destinations split.

From this BBC News item in March 2006: TV channels test net broadcasts:

Until now, most broadcasts of video over the internet have given each user their own individual feed. Multicasting is closer to traditional broadcasting, with one high-quality signal sent out over the web for many people to tune into .... About 200,000 people in the UK can currently watch the simulcasts, which are testing a system of internet broadcasting known as multicasting...

I'm not sure how idnet fits in to the testing phase, it is on this list: BBC Multicast Trial ISPs, but is anyone here actively using it?

Incidentally in searching I found this BBC r&d Projects page from the BBC Technology Group site, which might interest some people, though not specific to multicast.

In reply to:

---

but is anyone here actively using it?

---

I'm trying... with pretty much zero success at the moment. Can't decide whether it's the PC or the router. It's not on the list I linked to above, but Linksys think it ought to work.

Need to decide whether to buy a "spare" router which is on the list and see what happens... but I've already got one spare!

What are the steps you took to at least be trying - can anyone do this?

In reply to:

---

can anyone do this?

---

Sure- check on the link I gave to see if your hardware is OK, then go to the multicast homepage and send them an email asking for a username and password.

Don't be in a hurry- they took two days to send mine

When you get it, back to the homepage, log in to the trial page and away you go... or not, as the case may be! You'll probably need to configure your router, hopefully the Zen list will help there, I can't I'm afraid. Maybe your firewall as well.

After re-checking I see that both my routers are on the 'will not work with multitask', despite one being one of the latest products from a leading manufacturer.
During the last debate on Multitask on IDNet, the waters were muddied by a projected bandwith sharing/using non-utility from Sky....................!
So that was probably what caused the confusion. My apologies, I wil now return to my metaphoric corner,

Edited by Vigilant1 (Wed 11-Oct-06 13:29:49)

In reply to:

---

So that was probably what caused the confusion. My apologies, I wil now return to my metaphoric corner,

---

Ah yes, I remember that... no worries, easy done.

Hi s_h

We have established peering with the BBC for multicast content and have verified end-to-end operation using Cisco kit. We're now compiling a list of end-user equipment (routers etc) that are known to be compatible and will advise soon we hope.

Regards
Simon

Great - thanks Simon