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BBC iPlayer makes programmes available in different streaming formats at multiple levels of video and audio quality. get_iplayer represents each combination of format and quality with an alphanumeric code, referred to as a "mode". Different combinations of modes can be specified with shortcuts. You can find details of available recording modes, quality levels, and shortcuts in Recording modes reference.
By default, get_iplayer will download the best quality available from the default mode list for the given programme type (TV or radio). If you are using the Web PVR Manager, you should remove any previous setting in the Recording Modes field in order to download with the default settings.
The only decision most users will need to make is whether or not to configure a maximum quality level for recordings. Some reasons you may wish to configure a maximum quality level:
- HD TV requires 2GB+ storage per hour of video, which may be too much for your needs
- You may feel that 320kbps is unnecessary if you only record speech radio programmes
You can enforce maximum quality levels by adding the necessary settings to your preferences. Use the tables below as a guide to configure get_iplayer.
Rough estimates of the storage requirements for HLS TV downloads at each video resolution and frame rate:
| Resolution | FPS | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| 1280x720 | 50fps | ~2.2 GB/hr |
| 960x540 | 50fps | ~1.2 GB/hr |
| 704x396 | 50fps | ~0.8 GB/hr |
| 1280x720 | 25fps | ~1.0 GB/hr |
| 960x540 | 25fps | ~0.8 GB/hr |
| 704x396 | 25fps | ~0.5 GB/hr |
| 512x288 | 25fps | ~0.3 GB/hr |
By default, get_iplayer uses 50fps streams where available, with fallback to 25fps.
| Max Size | Max FPS | Max Bit Rate | Max Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1280x720 | 50 | 5 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=best |
default |
| 960x540 | 50 | 3 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=better |
|
| 704x396 | 50 | 1.7 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=good |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=worst |
The --fps25 option configures get_iplayer to use only 25fps streams (HD not available):
| Max Size | Max FPS | Max Bit Rate | Max Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=best --fps25 |
default with --fps25
|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=better --fps25 |
|
| 704x396 | 25 | 950 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=good --fps25 |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=worst --fps25 |
Note that 25fps streams generally contain HE-AAC audio.
If you do not want get_iplayer to fall back to lower resolutions, use more specific values for --tvmode:
| Max Size | Max FPS | Max Bit Rate | Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1280x720 | 50 | 5 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=hd |
HD may not be available |
| 960x540 | 50 | 3 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=sd |
|
| 704x396 | 50 | 1.7 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=high |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=low |
Similarly, with --25fps (HD not available):
| Max Size | Max FPS | Max Bit Rate | Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=sd --fps25 |
|
| 704x396 | 25 | 950 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=high --fps25 |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --tvmode=low --fps25 |
Note that 25fps streams generally have HE-AAC audio.
| Max Bit Rate | Max Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=best |
default |
| 128 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=better |
|
| 96 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=good |
|
| 48 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=worst |
Note that 96k and below streams generally contain HE-AAC audio.
NOTE: 96kbps is the highest bit rate normally available to international users.
If you do not want get_iplayer to fall back to lower bit rates, use more specific values for --radiomode:
| Bit Rate | Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=high |
HIGH may not be available |
| 128 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=std |
STD may not be available |
| 96 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=med |
|
| 48 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --radiomode=low |
You can use the --modes option to configure the maximum quality level for both TV and radio. If you do so, you should employ separate quality levels for TV and radio, using a "tv" or "radio" prefix as appropriate. The table below assumes you wish to always download the best available radio streams while adjusting the maximum quality for TV, but the maximum quality for radio can be specified independently.
By default, get_iplayer uses 50fps streams where available, with fallback to 25fps:
| Max Size | Max FPS | TV Max Bit Rate | Radio Max Bit Rate | Max Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1280x720 | 50 | 5 Mbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvbest,radiobest |
default |
| 960x540 | 50 | 3 Mbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvbetter,radiobest |
|
| 704x396 | 50 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvgood,radiobest |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvworst,radiobest |
The --fps25 option configures get_iplayer to use only 25fps streams (HD not available):
| Max Size | Max FPS | TV Max Bit Rate | Radio Max Bit Rate | Max Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvbest,radiobest --fps25 |
default with --fps25
|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvbetter,radiobest --fps25 |
|
| 704x396 | 25 | 950 kbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvgood,radiobest --fps25 |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvworst,radiobest --fps25 |
NOTE: Do not insert spaces between mode values
If you do not want get_iplayer to fall back to lower bit rates, use more specific values for --modes. Examples:
| Max Size | Max FPS | TV Bit Rate | Radio Bit Rate | Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1280x720 | 50 | 5 Mbps | 320 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvhd,radiohigh |
HD may not be available |
| 960x540 | 50 | 3 Mbps | 128 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvsd,radiostd |
|
| 704x396 | 50 | 1.7 Mbps | 96 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvhigh,radiomed |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | 48 kbps | get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvlow,radiolow |
Similarly, with --fps25 (HD not available):
| Max Size | Max FPS | TV Bit Rate | Radio Bit Rate | Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps |
get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvsd,radiohigh --fps25 |
|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | 128 kbps |
get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvsd,radiostd --fps25 |
|
| 704x396 | 25 | 950 kbps | 96 kbps |
get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvhigh,radiomed --fps25 |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | 48 kbps |
get_iplayer --prefs-add --modes=tvlow,radiolow --fps25 |
For the Web PVR Manager, use the Recording Modes field. The Web PVR Manager uses --modes behind the scenes, so configuration is much the same as the combined TV and radio settings. After entering the desired values in the Recording Modes field, click Save As Default to apply the new settings to all recordings. The table below assumes you wish to always download the best available radio streams while adjusting the maximum quality for TV, but the maximum quality for radio can be specified independently.
By default, get_iplayer uses 50fps streams where available, with fallback to 25fps.
| Max Size | Max FPS | Max Bit Rate | Radio Max Bit Rate | Recording Modes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1280x720 | 50 | 5 Mbps | 320 kbps | tvbest,radiobest |
default |
| 960x540 | 50 | 3 Mbps | 320 kbps | tvbetter,radiobest |
|
| 704x396 | 50 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps | tvgood,radiobest |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | 320 kbps | tvworst,radiobest |
The Use only 25fps streams option in the Recording tab configures get_iplayer to use only 25fps streams (HD not available):
| Max Size | Max FPS | TV Max Bit Rate | Radio Max Bit Rate | Max Quality Configuration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps | tvbest,radiobest |
default with Use only 25fps streams = On
|
| 960x540 | 25 | 1.7 Mbps | 320 kbps | tvbetter,radiobest |
|
| 704x396 | 25 | 950 kbps | 320 kbps | tvgood,radiobest |
|
| 512x288 | 25 | 550 kbps | 320 kbps | tvworst,radiobest |
NOTE: Do not insert spaces between mode values
Note that 25fps streams generally have HE-AAC audio.
There are somes circumstances in which you may wish to override the default/configured quality settings for single recordings. Any recording modes or quality levels set on the command line will override the defaults and those configured in your preferences. Some examples are listed below.
Download 50fps HD stream with fallback to next best resolution stream (50fps if available):
get_iplayer --tvmode=best [...]
Download a 50fps HD stream without fallback to lower-resolution streams:
get_iplayer --tvmode=hd [...]
Download 50fps or 25fps SD stream with fallback to next best resolution stream (50fps if available):
get_iplayer --tvmode=better [...]
Download 25fps SD stream with fallback to next best resolution 25fps stream:
get_iplayer --tvmode=better --fps25 [...]
Download a 50fps or 25fps SD stream without fallback to lower-resolution streams:
get_iplayer --tvmode=sd [...]
Download a 50fps HD stream with fallback to SD stream (50fps if available):
get_iplayer --tvmode=hd,sd [...]
Download a 50fps or 25fps SD stream with fallback to HIGH stream (50fps if available):
get_iplayer --tvmode=sd,high [...]
Download a 25fps SD stream with fallback to HIGH 25fps stream:
get_iplayer --tvmode=sd,high --fps25 [...]
Download LOW stream with fallback to HIGH stream (50fps if available):
get_iplayer --tvmode=low,high [...]
Download 25fps LOW stream with fallback to HIGH 25fps stream:
get_iplayer --tvmode=low,high --fps25 [...]
Download a 128k audio stream for a radio programme with fallback to next best bitrate stream:
get_iplayer --radiomode=better [...]
Download a 128k audio stream for a radio programme without fallback to lower-bitrate streams:
get_iplayer --radiomode=std [...]
Download a 128k audio stream for a radio programme with fallback to 48k stream:
get_iplayer --radiomode=std,low [...]
Download a 320k stream for a radio programm, for podcast version only, with fallback to next best bitrate stream:
get_iplayer --radiomode=best --version=podcast [...]
Download a 320k stream for a radio programm, for podcast version only, without fallback to lower-bitrate streams:
get_iplayer --radiomode=high --version=podcast [...]
Download a 320k audio stream for a radio programme with fallback to 96k stream:
get_iplayer --radiomode=high,med [...]