Comments on: TiVo Inserts Ads Into Now Playing Groups http://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/ TiVo, Slingbox, Android, Blu-ray Disc, and whatever other tech I feel like blogging about... Fri, 18 Sep 2020 20:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Dave Zatzhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-22462 Dave Zatz Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:02:40 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/#comment-22462 I've seen the gold star items in folders and don't care for it. It's not horrible, but I prefer it wasn't there. Also the display is inconsistent - on TiVo Central it's got the new graphical border, on this screen it's tacked on. If they're going to do it, I prefer the pettier look. And they should always place it at the very bottom of the screen, instead of directly under the last item (if the items don't completely fill the display). I’ve seen the gold star items in folders and don’t care for it. It’s not horrible, but I prefer it wasn’t there. Also the display is inconsistent – on TiVo Central it’s got the new graphical border, on this screen it’s tacked on. If they’re going to do it, I prefer the pettier look. And they should always place it at the very bottom of the screen, instead of directly under the last item (if the items don’t completely fill the display).

]]> By: Morachttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-22441 Morac Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:44:22 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/#comment-22441 There's been a <a href="http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=382134" rel="nofollow">huge discussion</a> about these ads over at the TiVo Discussion boards and the majority consensus is that they aren't liked.As for the jump to end button, it now takes you to the ad instead of the last recording in your group. Similarly the ad can be moved to just like any other item in your group. There’s been a huge discussion about these ads over at the TiVo Discussion boards and the majority consensus is that they aren’t liked.

As for the jump to end button, it now takes you to the ad instead of the last recording in your group. Similarly the ad can be moved to just like any other item in your group.

]]> By: MegaZonehttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-22438 MegaZone Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:38:55 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/#comment-22438 Melee & Royal, those are the so-called 'billboard' ads and they have been around for quite a while now. They show up when you fast forward over a tagged advertisement. They <i>should</i> only show up over an ad. The TiVo can tell the ad from the program by flags inserted into the VBI signal - the same way it knows when to put up the Interactive Tags (Press Thumbs Up for...). And the static images are restricted to being presented over the same product - so Coke can run an image when you FFW over a Pepsi ad, etc.These are not restricted to TiVoCast at all - in fact they've been used on recordings for some time, and only now have been extended to TiVoCast content as well. Hmm, since TiVoCast is 'sponsored' content, perhaps the 'only over an ad' restriction isn't applied.If you haven't seen them before it is probably just the odds - they don't see to be used as much, and since they only show up on FFW through a tagged add, the odds of any one user seeing one are still somewhat low. Personally I never see them in normal use because I use 30-second skip and not FFW.I have seen them because I've sought them out when reported, to experience them myself. I didn't think they were too bad, since the image went away at the end of the ad it was itself an indication of the end of the ad. And since I was skipping an ad it seemed fair to get a static version of the ad in exchange. There are also different sizes, three I think, and there are some positioning options from what I understand. Melee & Royal, those are the so-called ‘billboard’ ads and they have been around for quite a while now. They show up when you fast forward over a tagged advertisement. They should only show up over an ad. The TiVo can tell the ad from the program by flags inserted into the VBI signal – the same way it knows when to put up the Interactive Tags (Press Thumbs Up for…). And the static images are restricted to being presented over the same product – so Coke can run an image when you FFW over a Pepsi ad, etc.

These are not restricted to TiVoCast at all – in fact they’ve been used on recordings for some time, and only now have been extended to TiVoCast content as well. Hmm, since TiVoCast is ‘sponsored’ content, perhaps the ‘only over an ad’ restriction isn’t applied.

If you haven’t seen them before it is probably just the odds – they don’t see to be used as much, and since they only show up on FFW through a tagged add, the odds of any one user seeing one are still somewhat low. Personally I never see them in normal use because I use 30-second skip and not FFW.

I have seen them because I’ve sought them out when reported, to experience them myself. I didn’t think they were too bad, since the image went away at the end of the ad it was itself an indication of the end of the ad. And since I was skipping an ad it seemed fair to get a static version of the ad in exchange. There are also different sizes, three I think, and there are some positioning options from what I understand.

]]> By: RoyalWulffhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-22435 RoyalWulff Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:44:13 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/#comment-22435 While the gold star advertizing doesn't particularly concern me the static ad’s in the TivoCast content is particularly annoying. The reason I find this so distasteful is that first doesn't distinguish between fast-forwarding the show or the commercials (how could they) but second that the image is so large that it obscures the show making it difficult to see when I need to start watching again. I have never taken issue with the images in the upper left or right because they are out of the way but this big ad in the middle I simply don't like. I have long been a Tivo fan/lover and I recommend it frequently to friends and family but if they keep putting their needs ahead of my interests for a box I already have paid for (i.e. lifetime service) I have to start questioning that advocacy. I would ask Tivo to take a step back on this one and ask yourself if maybe you have crossed a line with this forceful type of advertizing. While the gold star advertizing doesn’t particularly concern me the static ad’s in the TivoCast content is particularly annoying. The reason I find this so distasteful is that first doesn’t distinguish between fast-forwarding the show or the commercials (how could they) but second that the image is so large that it obscures the show making it difficult to see when I need to start watching again. I have never taken issue with the images in the upper left or right because they are out of the way but this big ad in the middle I simply don’t like. I have long been a Tivo fan/lover and I recommend it frequently to friends and family but if they keep putting their needs ahead of my interests for a box I already have paid for (i.e. lifetime service) I have to start questioning that advocacy. I would ask Tivo to take a step back on this one and ask yourself if maybe you have crossed a line with this forceful type of advertizing.

]]> By: MeleeDavehttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-22434 MeleeDave Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:12:21 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/#comment-22434 I've seen these ads and agree they are bothersome, but not too hard to get use to.However, while watching the last CNET TivoCast, whenever you fast forward or rewind, it pops up an add in the center of the screen the entire time you are fast forwarding or rewinding. The ad is huge, taking up half the screen, making it hard to see what you are even fast forwarding through. This is really annoying. Annoying enough to make me stop watching TivoCasts on my Tivo. I’ve seen these ads and agree they are bothersome, but not too hard to get use to.

However, while watching the last CNET TivoCast, whenever you fast forward or rewind, it pops up an add in the center of the screen the entire time you are fast forwarding or rewinding. The ad is huge, taking up half the screen, making it hard to see what you are even fast forwarding through. This is really annoying. Annoying enough to make me stop watching TivoCasts on my Tivo.

]]> By: xdreamwalkerhttp://www.gizmolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/comment-page-1/#comment-22426 xdreamwalker Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:11:30 +0000 http://www.tivolovers.com/2008/01/27/tivo-inserts-ads-into-now-playing-groups/#comment-22426 I have been seeing these ads for a little while now. Now, I have a general distaste for ads. I really don't like ads in the TiVo UI, I pay for the service. I really don't like ads in my 'Pay TV' service, ala paying for cable TV. I have, however, grown accustomed to them and like death and taxes I know they are not going anywhere. I also understand TiVo's need for them. Like you have said 'Subscriptions alone won’t support the company.'I can confirm that when you press ‘Advance’ or ‘Page Down’ to go to the end of the group it goes to the end, which is the gold star item and not the last recording on the list. grrrr.. I have been seeing these ads for a little while now. Now, I have a general distaste for ads. I really don’t like ads in the TiVo UI, I pay for the service. I really don’t like ads in my ‘Pay TV’ service, ala paying for cable TV. I have, however, grown accustomed to them and like death and taxes I know they are not going anywhere. I also understand TiVo’s need for them. Like you have said ‘Subscriptions alone won’t support the company.’

I can confirm that when you press ‘Advance’ or ‘Page Down’ to go to the end of the group it goes to the end, which is the gold star item and not the last recording on the list. grrrr..

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