An "All 4 and tablets" rant

Just an FYI before you make the same mistake as me. I have a Samsung Galaxy
tab for which there are 'All 4', 'ITV Player etc apps.

I've just bought a Samsung 'dongle' that allows me to display the tablet's
screen via HDMI on a TV - but not 'All 4'.

For reasons that only Channel4 know, the 'All 4' applet specifically blocks
attempts to show it on the TV, putting up a message proudly announcing this
fact.

ITVPlayer is fine and so are all other apps that I've tried. Grrr...

Paul DS

Paul D Smith wrote:

For reasons that only Channel4 know, the 'All 4' applet specifically blocks
attempts to show it on the TV

It chromecasts OK ...

To me the online and catch up services are slowly going pay to view. Its
everywhere even on the bbc. I think some time shifting will be free but a
lot of other stuff including first runs seem to be being seen as cash cows
by the industry.
as for why the thing does not work. well since none of the broadcasters
offerings are truly easy to use for blind people and indeed only two
channels have AD versions on their sites, I imagine there are some elitist
forces at work here that we are at present , blissfully unaware of, probably
revolving around copyright and money...
Brian

"Paul D Smith" wrote in message
...
Just an FYI before you make the same mistake as me. I have a Samsung
Galaxy tab for which there are 'All 4', 'ITV Player etc apps.

I've just bought a Samsung 'dongle' that allows me to display the tablet's
screen via HDMI on a TV - but not 'All 4'.

For reasons that only Channel4 know, the 'All 4' applet specifically
blocks attempts to show it on the TV, putting up a message proudly
announcing this fact.

ITVPlayer is fine and so are all other apps that I've tried. Grrr...

Paul DS

--
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This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!

On Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:54:28 -0000, "Paul D Smith"
wrote:

Just an FYI before you make the same mistake as me. I have a Samsung Galaxy
tab for which there are 'All 4', 'ITV Player etc apps.

I've just bought a Samsung 'dongle' that allows me to display the tablet's
screen via HDMI on a TV - but not 'All 4'.

For reasons that only Channel4 know, the 'All 4' applet specifically blocks
attempts to show it on the TV, putting up a message proudly announcing this
fact.

ITVPlayer is fine and so are all other apps that I've tried. Grrr...

Works fine on an Amazon box. All 4 seems to have been added quite
recently, so I haven't had the opportunity to try it on the dongle
version yet, but I'm guessing it'll be the same.

Rod.

Not much use to those of us without a Chromecast. I can't Chromecast
ITVPlayer so I got the plug-in dongle.

Paul DS
======================
"Andy Burns" wrote in message
...

Paul D Smith wrote:

For reasons that only Channel4 know, the 'All 4' applet specifically
blocks
attempts to show it on the TV

It chromecasts OK ...

Paul D Smith wrote:

Not much use to those of us without a Chromecast.

But it demonstrates that C4 aren't *blocking* all methods of streaming
to TVs.

I can't Chromecast ITVPlayer

They're "thinking about" chromecast support in ITV Hub

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
news

Paul D Smith wrote:

Not much use to those of us without a Chromecast.

But it demonstrates that C4 aren't *blocking* all methods of streaming to
TVs.

I see your point, but they are deliberately blocking one specific method for
forcing me to make a purchase if I want to Chromecast. I did wonder whether
it is part of their deal with Chromecast that they MUST block the dongle.


I can't Chromecast ITVPlayer

They're "thinking about" chromecast support in ITV Hub

Oh great, so that might stop working too :-(.

This is all rather silly given that I can show a regular PC's screen on the
TV and there's nothing Channel4 can do to stop me. Seems petty and
pointless blocking certain Android devices/dongles.

On Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:30:27 +0000, Paul D Smith wrote:


"Andy Burns" wrote in message
news

Paul D Smith wrote:

Not much use to those of us without a Chromecast.

But it demonstrates that C4 aren't *blocking* all methods of streaming
to TVs.

I see your point, but they are deliberately blocking one specific method
for forcing me to make a purchase if I want to Chromecast. I did wonder
whether it is part of their deal with Chromecast that they MUST block
the dongle.


I can't Chromecast ITVPlayer

They're "thinking about" chromecast support in ITV Hub

Oh great, so that might stop working too :-(.

This is all rather silly given that I can show a regular PC's screen on
the TV and there's nothing Channel4 can do to stop me. Seems petty and
pointless blocking certain Android devices/dongles.

When it comes to commercial TV broadcasting, this is just the sort of
shenanigans I've come to expect. For example, Andrew Flegg is still
offers this apology on his bleb.org TV listings page for ITV1 for almost
the whole of the past decade:

START_QUOTE

"Listings for ITV 1 on Tuesday, January 12 2016

06:00 Unavailable Due to requirements under the Broadcasting Act 1990,
this channel is unavailable. If/when I am able to get direct permission
from the broadcaster for royalty free display, it will return. Sorry for
the inconvenience."

END_QUOTE

Curiously, there seems to be no problem showing the listings for ITV1 HD
(which I think is an identical listing - BICBW).

The obvious reason for ITV's concern over guarding their 'precious IP'
like this is on account they must feel that a "Nice Little Earner" from
the various TV listings mags, complete with even more advertising for the
benefit of their customers and their own advert laden web site, is in
danger of being diluted by such free on-line listings ("Every Little
Helps").

You have to remember who the commercial broadcasters' customers are and
who the 'product' is that they are selling. You only had to switch your
TV off in the good old days of glossy reflective screens to see who the
latter was. Now, with the advent of modern display technology, you have
to go and find a mirror in order to make this identification.

AFAIAC, the commercial broadcasters can all go and **** themselves.

--
Johnny B Good