Got a TiVo? "Digital Video Recorders Give Advertisers Pause"

New York Times ^ | May 23, 2002 | AMY HARMON

[The Raven]

Dancing through commercials is a godsend.

[lavaroise]

Finally. Now we need the algorithm to automatically stop recording during ads.

[goldstategop]

They're selling hacked TiVOs on Ebay that lets people record up to 200 hours at standard play. That's more than a VCR tape can hold. And you can either buy it upgraded ready to set up or buy an upgrade kit yourself for it. The advertisers don't get it about the popularity of DVR's. What people like about them is you can watch television when you want to and you decide what you want to watch, not the networks or the advertisers. No wonder it drives them bonkers.

[Skooz]

I have a VCR that skips commercials. Aside from the obvious savings of the cost of tapes, why would one of these boxes be any better?

[goldstategop]

Its the digital picture quality. And a big hard drive (the prices have dropped and are still coming down) can hold a LOT more programs than any analog VCR tape can. The longest VCR record time at extended play mode is 10 hours. By contrast, a DVR can record up to 200 hours of programming. Think of going on vacation and NEVER having to miss a single show again. That's what's making devices like TiVOs so popular.

[FrdmLvr]

Jamie C. Kellner, chief executive of Turner Broadcasting. "There's no Santa Claus. If you don't watch the commercials, someone's going to have to pay for television and it's going to be you."

An odd remark coming from someone affiliated with Ted Turner.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

I've had a Tivo for about one year. I couldn't do without it. I've watched very little "live" TV since I got my Tivo.

I've also watched very few commercials since I got my Tivo. That's had an unexpected effect. Commercials are a significant part of our culture these days, and sometimes I feel out of it when I hear my friends talking about commercials that I've never seen.

However, I'll live with that kind of "out of it" feeling.

[JoeGar]

Does anyone sell a DVR without a TiVo-type service. I want a DVR that I can use just like a VCR, recording what I want to see and watching it when I want to see it. I also want to be able to pause real-time programs. I don't need a programming service like TiVo. It is not a necessary function in a DVR. Does anyone make a DVR without some kind of on-going programming service?

[Skooz]

You mean there's a monthly bill?

[goldstategop]

Intervideo manufacturers a WinDVR for the PC. If you can get a huge second hard drive you could record it all there and play it back without the need for a TiVO set top DVR box. Just run a cable between the PC and your TV using a scan converter (if the PC lacks a TV out jack) in between if necessary and you're set.

[csvset]

Aside from the "entertainment value" of some commercials, I'd say that tv ads have zero effect on my purchase decisions. I buy either what I like or what I can afford, usually the latter.

The cost of those commercials do factor into the cost of products though.

[Maelstrom]

Isn't this thing illegal under the new copyright abomination?

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

If these do catch up, you will see more real-time 'news' program (I love those pompous cretins paraded on the cable newsies) and more 'shows' available for purchase on DVD with the abbreviated 'on the air' version becoming more like a infomercial attempting to sell viewers the 'real thing'.

Technically speaking, isn't it true that the TiVo pricture quality is a lot lower than that of the original broadcast?

[Blagden Alley]

I could be wrong, but I think I saw a "how to roll your own" DVR using your PC in Computer Shopper recently. Struck me as the sort of thing that had some (version 1.0) standard software and other standard parts. Something that will be much more integrated and much cheaper in no time.

Someone puts schedules on the internet in the proper format, etc., and we're all done. I figure I'll move to it in about a year.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

Does anyone sell a DVR without a TiVo-type service.

A lot of people think they want that before they try the service.

However, it's the service that makes Tivo so great. Without the Tivo guide and related information, a Tivo wouldn't be nearly as valuable.

[american_ranger]

How big a hard drive is needed for say 30 hours of recording? Where can I get the necessary software and hardware? I'm computer illiterate.

[steve-b]

Lawyers for the companies now argue that the court's endorsement of consumers' right to "time shift" television programming in the 1984 case was based on the assumption that copyright holders would not suffer significant financial damage as a result.

Rights are, by nature, independent of "financial damage" suffered by third parties. If the "financial damage" is the result of violating someone's property rights, that is wrong in itself. If the "financial damage" is simply lost revenue because people aren't buying what you're selling, tough toenails.

[CWRWinger]

and sometimes I feel out of it when I hear my friends talking about commercials that I've never seen.

Do your 'friends' feel out-of-it when you talk about the Constitution? They should.

[Caipirabob]

The industry is going to counter this trend by implementing advertisements directly within the programming. They won't base the revenue entirely on commercials then, but you'll have shows where every take includes items from their sponsers or perhaps entire episode where the set is an outlet of the sponser. Imagine a commedy series where each episode occurs within a Wal-Mart or some local mall. If this trend keeps up, it's coming (that doesn't mean I'll watch it, though!)

[E Rocc]

Isn't this thing illegal under the new copyright abomination?

They can pass laws against rain on holidays too.....

-Eric