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Topic: BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams (Read 8390 times) previous topic - next topic
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BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

UK only I think.

Worth seeking out, if you want to listen to the content, as they're genuinely different from the regular feed. e.g. ...

The regular iPlayer 128kbps version is, as always, the standard Radio 2 digital output - with the station's signature sound EQ and processing as normal:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vh...Sir_Elton_John/

The HD 320kbps version has far far less processing: far less dynamic range compression, and far less EQ. This is far closer to (if not actually?) the feed from the venue itself, before it's been attacked by Radio 2's standard broadcast processing:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/electricproms/...tonjohn_xhq.xml

Probably available for a week.

Not exactly time-aligned for comparison - the HQ version starts 43.4 seconds into the standard iPlayer version.

To my ears, the 128kbps iPlayer version sounds louder, has more bass and treble, and typical squashed dynamics, while the 320kbps HD version sounds quieter, has a more natural EQ, and far better dynamics.

If it is UK-only (?), I'll try to FLAC 30 seconds of each so everyone can hear the difference. It's nice to hear a radio station going against the loudness-race tide for a change!

Cheers,
David.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #1 –
I know graphs don't show audible distortion etc, but they do show the general action of the DRC.

Standard feed:
[attachment=6157:John128.gif]

"HD Sound" feed:
[attachment=6158:John320.gif]

If you compare them, the HD Sound feed sounds unmastered, while the standard feed sounds rather over-mastered.

Cheers,
David.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #2 –
The 320kb/s stream is available in Cyprus using the iPlayer plugin of Squeezebox.

I cannot presently tell you if it is available from the web page - at the moment I am in UK.

Brian

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #3 –
Interesting - they claimed to have geolocked it last time.

I guess that makes my files redundant, but I'll upload them anyway since it's easier to compare files than flash streams. I've tried to time-align them, but have failed to get them within nearest sample.

If anyone wants them, they're on mediafire here: www . mediafire . com/?2zjt7c8xlr0rm (you'll have to put the URL back together by removing the spaces).

Cheers,
David.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #4 –
The web page ^ is working in New Zealand. I don't think they worry about radio the way they do TV...? The BBC radio stations have been streaming internationally for years.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #5 –
It's definitely available in the US. I guess it's only available live in the UK?

I love their little player...the volume control goes to 11! 

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #6 –
What are we talking about? iPlayer Radio streams are available internationally. TV streams are limited to UK IP addresses.

It is possible, outside the UK,  to receive iPlayer TV live, by "listen again" or by download if you use a VPN.

I have it working very well in Cyprus by paying £5 per month to

https://www.my-private-network.co.uk/
Brian

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Labarum on
What are we talking about? iPlayer Radio streams are available internationally.
Yes, I know, but the first BBC XHQ / HD Sound tests were supposedly UK only (using the same restrictions as the TV feeds). Seems they've given up on that idea.

Quote
I have it working very well in Cyprus by paying £5 per month to

https://www.my-private-network.co.uk/
Nice. It's a shame the BBC and its content providers can't find a way to deliver stuff outside the UK in a legal way which means they get the money, rather than it going to a proxy service to circumvent their geolocking. Sadly it seems the world does work in a sane way in this area (yet).

Cheers,
David.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #8 –
320kbps version not available in Germany.

Isn't it funny, how they sell it as "HD"? Wonder when the first one shows up, claiming it's all bitrate related.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #9 –
Does anyone know how to record the 320kbps aac stream from the BBC iPlayer to hard disk?

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #10 –
Replay Media Catcher works. I'm sure there are other ways. e.g. free software based on the discontinued getiplayer.

Cheers,
David.

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #11 –
Quote from: 2Bdecided on
Replay Media Catcher works. I'm sure there are other ways. e.g. free software based on the discontinued getiplayer.

Cheers,
David.

Is this considered getting around DRC?
 

BBC "HD Sound" 320kbps AAC streams

Reply #13 –
That's very strange. Sorry to ask a stupid question, but are you sure you selected the HD sound version? The original URL now defaults to the TV broadcast (ironically the low resolution version, even though an HD (video!) version is available in iPlayer), which should be geolocked, but the HD sound version is still there underneath as an option.

Cheers,
David.