BBC iPlayer finally available on Xbox 360 – tell us what you think

BBC iPlayer is now available on Microsoft’s popular console, some years after it appeared on rival Wii and PlayStation 3 consoles.

Scroll down for a video of it in action – is this now the best way to watch iPlayer on your TV? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Available to all

Microsoft’s rival consoles have had the iPlayer service since 2008 (the Wii in April, with the PlayStation 3 following in December), but it has taken considerably longer for it to reach Xbox owners.

The reason behind the delay in bringing iPlayer to the Xbox 360 is due to a dispute concerning access levels between the BBC and Microsoft. Microsoft wanted iPlayer behind its pay barrier, and only available to Gold Xbox Live subscribers, while the BBC insisted that the content be free to all.

It looks as though the BBC got its way, as the iPlayer is available to all Xbox 360 users, without additonal charge.

Voice and gesture controls

With the iPlayer appearing on most TV connected devices these days, from Blu-ray players to PVRs, consoles to smart TV boxes, does the Xbox 360 offer anything new?

The answer is yes. Keen for iPlayer to utilise Microsoft’s popular motion sensing Kinect device, the BBC has built-in support for using hand gestures and voice commands – a first for the BBC’s catch-up service.

Viewers can speak the name of the show they want to watch to select it, and even choose the picture quality by saying ‘HD’.

You can watch the BBC’s video demonstration of the iPlayer on Xbox 360 below:

Is this now the best way to watch BBC iPlayer on your TV? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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