bbc iplayer

[taiobi]

why does iplayer keep freezing and playing after 30secs

[col craddock]

I dont have the answer but I share the problem
The atmospheric weather conditions here in central UK are very bad tonight could this have any baring on the problem?
I am experiencing the same intermitant freezing problems with You Tube

[ChuckFickens]

errr, col, Iplayer is internet based, weather conditions won't effect it.

either you internet connection isn't fast enough to run streaming video over it or your computer is struggling to cope.

What are the specs on the computer and how fast is your connection?

[Beswad]

I suffer the same problem. I reckon is to with the connection speed of your ISP. My connection speed is only 512kb/s. I just learn to put up with it.

[spheric]

This sounds like whats known technically as a buffer underrun.

When you start playing a streaming video, your computer loads the first X seconds of it in advance, before it starts playing (with iplayer, this is whats happening whilst you look at the BBC1/2/etc logo) The idea is, that if theres a momentary lapse in your internet connection, the video can play as normal.

If theres a longer lapse, or your internet connection isn't quick enough to load the video as quick as you're playing it, the X seconds gets used up, so the stream stops. Most players stop long enough to cache another Y seconds before starting again.

If you experience the problem regularly, when you hit play on the video the first time, pause it and leave it a few minutes. This should give the video a head start.