Samsung Galaxy - bbc iplayer problems

[ifonly]

In the past i have used my galaxy tablet to download programmes here in TRNC (we have MM as provider) to watch whilst travelling when ther eis not internet connection. However the last lot of programmes, apart from 1, i downloaded have not gone onto "download" list but have stayed in "Queue" even though they have completed their download. When i try to play the programme that is in "download" nothing happens (apart from the circle going round) and i get the message "sorry but bbc iplayer has stopped working - please try later). Does anyone know what is wrong - should i uninstall and reinstall - or was it a problem during the initial download session (but then why won't it play the downloaded programme ? !!!).
Any ideas ?

[rogerb]

Are you sure the VPN (which Multimax provide free) is "on"? In my experience the BBC iplayer downloads will not record unless it is.

[ifonly]

rogerb - i have never had to use a vpn on the tablet before . It is showing the programmes as completed (eg pink line 64mg of 64mg) so they have downloaded but they have not moved from Q to Downloads and it won't play the one already in Downloads - to play that it shouldn't need any vpn as it is just a playback.

I just don't understand it !!!!

[karmels]

ifonly.

A while ago BBC changed their system, you now need a vpn on to down load anything from BBC Iplayer.
Multimax provide a free vpn, but you will have to check with them if it will work on a tablet. I don't think so.

[erol]

There are some known issues with playback of bbc iplayer content on android 4.4 devices as described here

http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/t ... _downloads

They may explain the playback issues (but not the downloading ones). I would try uninstalling and reinstalling the iplayer app (and maybe bbc media player as well whilst you at it).

[sophie]

I have never had a problem with BBC iplayer until very recently. I'm still OK on my PC, and OK on my Netbook, but can't watch any longer on my android phone or Kindle. "not available in your area" is the message that comes up all the time now. Recently I came across a forum (not sure what it was called) and there messages from all over the world complaining that they were no long able to watch. It had something to with BBC not their equipment.

[ifonly]

erol - i have uninstalled both. Reinstalled bbc media player but now i cannot find the bbc iplayer app on google play store at all.
To top it off now i cannot watch it on pc/tv either from the desktop dshortcut - there is nothing happening when i put curser onto "get more programmes" or "iplayer website". But if go to internet and call it up then i can watch it through that.
Oh so confusing.

[erol]

erol - i have uninstalled both. Reinstalled bbc media player but now i cannot find the bbc iplayer app on google play store at all.

From your laptop - use the vpn, go to play store - log into your relevant Google account (the one the tablet is linked to) - search for bbc media player and 'push' install it to the tablet. Alternatively use the vpn on the tablet directly - though it does seem that google/Samsung broke VPN functionality with android version 4.4.2 so this may not work. Certainly that is the case with my Samsung galaxy S4 phone - with android version 4.4.2 vpn no longer works (not just the free MM one but any of the several I have tried). In the release notes for version 4.4.3 it states the update has a fix for VPN functionality, but this version is not due to role out till some time in July onwards for the S4. How many devices are affected by this problem I am not sure - I know definitely it is the case on my s4 phone. I suspect it is general to most Samsung devices using android version 4.4.2 and maybe generic to all android devices on 4.4.2.

To top it off now i cannot watch it on pc/tv either from the desktop dshortcut - there is nothing happening when i put curser onto "get more programmes" or "iplayer website". But if go to internet and call it up then i can watch it through that.
Oh so confusing.

I am not entirely sure what you mean here. I suspect you mean that the desktop shortcuts you used to have (labelled 'iplayer website' and 'get more programmes') are no longer working ? If this is the case it is quite straightforward to re create them. Goto the relevant page you wish to create a desktop shortcut for. Here is a link to a tutorial on how to create a desktop shortcut to a specific web page. Method one will work if you use internet explorer - method two will work for internet explorer and google chrome. If these new shortcuts work then just delete the old ones from the desktop.

[ifonly]

Ok - thank you from yet another "teckno dummy". I think it was an iplayer issue on the pc/tv as it is now working, Before it had in the bottom corner of iplayer "status - offline" now it is saying "on line".
I'll try the directions for putting iplayer back on tablet via laptop. Thanks.

[ifonly]

Hi again erol - tried that from laptop using vpn and it says "Congratualtions bbc iplayer will be installed on your device soon " and i then get the message on the tablet " Error while downloading BBC iplayer "BBC iPlayer" could not be downloaded due to an error (920)"
Houston i think we have a problem ha ha