Gordon <gbplinux@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
> Gordon wrote:
>
>> Mark Kent wrote:
>>
>>> begin oe_protect.scr
>>> Gordon <gbplinux@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>>>> spike1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> did eloquently scribble:
>>>>>> Beeb breaks out with Windows WMA protection
>>>>>
>>>>>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>>>>> | According to a press release from Sonos, the blokes over
>>>>>> | at the Beeb have decided to jump ship for relying on
>>>>>> | Realplayer for web content, and have switched over
>>>>>> | entirely to the Windows-friendly WMA format. Now
>>>>>> | that the BBC has made The Big Switch, BBC radio
>>>>>> | stations will be received automatically for users
>>>>>> | of wireless music and radio provider Sonos.
>>>>>> `----
>>>>>
>>>>> If that's the case, how come I can still listen again using mplayer to
>>>>> realaudio streams on bbc radio 4 and bbc 7?
>>>>
>>>> because they haven't switched yet?
>>>>
>>>
>>> I've just written to their radio-player support department, pointing
>>> out that I have MACs and linux machines (including 770 which I use on
>>> the move) which can all play real streams, and I pay a licence fee, but
>>> I don't have windows machines. I've also pointed out that the EU is
>>> looking into MS's monopoly abuse using the windows media player, and
>>> I've asked for confirmation that they will continue to support the real
>>> format.
>>>
>>> Let's see if they get back.
>>>
>> I seem to remember doing something like that a few weeks ago when this
>> story first broke on the BBC Technology page - no reply as of yet......
>>
> In fact I've just emailed the Department of Culture with the following:
> "As a Licence payer and someone who does NOT use Microsoft software I am
> VERY concerned about the news that the BBC has signed a deal to ONLY use
> Microsoft Windows Media Player for its streaming audio and video. This is
> going to directly disenfranchise that large minority of licence payers who
> choose not to use Microsoft products. Can you give an assurance that the
> BBC will be forced to cater for this large minority and not to drop the use
> of RealPlayer which is a cross-platform application in favour of one that
> is solely Microsoft Windows? Thank you"
Well worded - a good thing to do.
However, what about Xine support for WMA? Other than the fact its half
assed of course - but it will get better.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=239001
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Call for details.
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