Player Help

Watching BBC Two video

Printable version

• Why can't I play any video?
• How do I change whether I use Windows Media Player or Real Player?
• My video and audio doesn't play smoothly.
• Can I download clips and programmes?
• Why can't I watch the video from outside the UK?
• I'm in the UK but you're telling me I'm not!
• I'm a UK licence fee payer currently overseas, so why can't I access BBC Two video content?
• Is there a minimum specification to access the service?

Why can't I play any video?

There are a number of reasons why this might happen. First check that you have JavaScript enabled on your browser (see the help file for your browser to find out how to do this) and that your computer fulfils the minimum specifications. You should also check that any popup blocking mechanisms you have installed on your computer aren't set to deny popups launched from bbc.co.uk pages.

Media player plug-ins are sometimes not available if you have installed or upgraded your browser since installing your chosen media player. In this instance, reinstalling the latest version of your preferred media player and restarting your computer may help.

Sorry, but if you're outside the UK, you won't be able to watch any video on bbc.co.uk/bbctwo. Find out why.

How do I change whether I use Windows Media Player or Real Player?

If you have both Windows Media Player 9 (or above) and Real Player 9 installed on your PC then you can choose which player you'd like to set as your default player. To do this, select the 'Settings' link at the bottom of the BBC Two Player.

You can also use this link to choose whether you'd like to watch the video in high quality (256k and above) or standard quality (below 256k).

My video and audio doesn't play smoothly.

Your bandwidth may be being used by another application (or another computer, if your connection is via a home/office network). Your viewing experience will be affected if our servers are unable to deliver data to your computer quickly enough because of network congestion on your connection.

Downloading large files or using peer-to-peer applications while watching video, for example, may prevent you from being able to receive enough data to maintain a constant video stream.

If you don't believe your connection is being used by other applications or other people, check that your media player has the correct bandwidth settings.

Can I download BBC Two programmes and clips?

BBC iPlayer enables you to download a wide range of BBC television programmes for up to seven days after transmission, and it's free to UK licence fee payers. Visit the BBC iPlayer FAQ page for more details.

Why can't I watch the video from outside the UK?

For many programmes, there are broadcast rights restrictions, which don't allow us to show BBC Two programmes and content to people outside the UK. In addition, broadband content is expensive for the BBC to stream, so we have to give priority to people within the UK, who ultimately bear the cost of us doing this through their licence fee.

Some BBC programmes are available via our international services (see bbc.co.uk/info/channels) or through agreements with commercial broadcasters overseas.

I'm in the UK but you're telling me I'm not!

Our system recognises where you are by looking at your IP address (the unique number of your computer). If your IP address is recognised as one that's outside the UK (this may also happen if you're on a network which is based overseas) or if it doesn't recognise your IP address at all, you'll receive this message.

Additionally if you use any web accelerator software, you may find that you can no longer access UK Only streams. This is because the software routes information via another country. We advise disabling these when trying to access video content on bbc.co.uk.

See the BBC Broadband FAQ for more information about online video and audio.

I'm a UK licence fee payer currently overseas, so why can't I access BBC Two video content?

Unfortunately, we don't have the infrastructure to allow individual licence fee payers to access these services while abroad. We apologise for any disappointment, but hope we have your understanding.

Is there a minimum specification to access the service?

The minimum browser requirements needed to access this BBC service are:

Netscape 5 and above, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and above, or Opera 7 and above. (Other browsers may work with the BBC Two Player, however the BBC is unable to guarantee their compatibility.)

JavaScript must be enabled.

If cookies are enabled, your viewing settings will be remembered for future visits. If cookies aren't enabled, Media Selector will prompt you to confirm your settings at each visit.

Popup blocking mechanisms should be set to allow popups to be launched from bbc.co.uk pages. You'll also need to have one of the following media players installed on your system:

• RealOne Version 9 (or above)
• Microsoft Windows Media Player Version 9 (or above)
• Macromedia Flash Player Version 8 (or above)