I now have 4 AV devices that have iPlayer built in: 2 x Sony TVs (different generations), a Sony Blu-Ray player and a Youview box. The iPlayer software on each is different; Sony Specific, MHEG generic or Youview specific.

However, as well as the software being different I have noticed a difference in stream quality. The SD stream on Youview is Low quality only, the Sonys SD streams are available in Low and 'Higher' quality, and then there are the HD streams on one of the TVs, the Blu-Ray and the Youview box.

I don't know what the various resolutions are other than mention that iPlayer HD is 720p.

It is possible that other sources may also be available, e.g. for 'hosted' iPlayer services on Virgin or BT Vision for example. And of course there are the streams for PCs, mobile devices etc.

Is there anywhere that lists all the different iPlayer versions / resolutions that exist out there?

As far as I am aware, if the BBC wish to offer the iPlayer on, say, ten different devices, they have to then specifically codec ten different iPlayers to suit each device.

An example - I've read posts that say the iPlayer on YouView is pretty much bang on. Yet the iPlayer on BTVision is an absolute bag of shite.

An exception to the above unsubstantiated rule would be the ITV player. Which is pretty much just a bag of shite on all platforms.

If I'm wrong though, I would happily be corrected, in regard to the iPlayer.

I'm currently in contact with the BBC over a similar question actually, but from what I can tell, the BBC offer 5 bitrates for video streaming. 400kbps, 500kbps 800kbps, 1500kbps and 3200kbps.

The 1500kbps is what the BBC now wish to identify as their Standard Definition, which seems about right for me. Their compression level is a bit too aggressive for sport watching, but unless there is too much motion it is find for general viewing.

The 3200kbps, or 720p is much better and to be quite honest, excellent for most situations. They refer to this as their HD stream.

It does indeed depend on which device, for which quality they use. On the web, and on my Samsung TV, the 800kbps is described as the "low bandwidth" option, but on an Android device, that is considered their "high" setting, with the 500kbps as their default.

I have no confirmation on the BBC's live streams, which seem adaptive and I am guessing a maximum of 800kpbs - but that is something I am waiting to hear back.

iOS devices will stream up to 1500kbps, or at least the iPad, I haven't tested this yet on the iPhone.

So, I am interested very much in what other devices deliver in quality from the BBC, as I am currently in the process of writing up a review.

As for ITV, they have informed me that everything from the ITV Player site is streamed at 600kbps, which explains the quality issues everyone talks about. This, surprisingly also includes their PPV rental videos!

Now, a very interesting thing to keep in mind, is that if you watch a live stream from the recently revamped ITV.com, the video quality is significantly better than their catch-up. Could this be the direction ITV are taking? Maybe we will see a significant improvement in the near future.

Anyway, I just posted my ITV Player review on www.eyeondemand.com yesterday. Coming soon is the BBC, which hopefully I can get some answers to my questions before publication date. And for those interested in some global TV, Australia's ABC iView will be reviewed shortly.