Does TiVo Know Commericals Ahead of Time?

[clittle]

Hello,

I know that TiVo knows scheduled shows ahead of time. Does it know each commerical that will play ahead of time? Just curious.

Thanks!

[MikeMar]

nope, just guide data of shows

[punditguy]

I've got to know -- what prompted the original question?

[JC Hollywood FL]

The local bar I go to has a DVD of in-house paid advertising that kicks in and overrides original broadcast ads. There must be some signal in the program feed that indicates the start and end of commercials. This is probably also used by local stations to insert local advertisements.

Therefore, theoretically TiVo could detect the beginning and ending of a commercial break and stop recording during breaks or allow FF to the end of the break. I'm sure it's only threats from content providers that prevent this functionality from being available.

[SC0TLANDF0REVER]

The local bar I go to has a DVD of in-house paid advertising that kicks in and overrides original broadcast ads. There must be some signal in the program feed that indicates the start and end of commercials. This is probably also used by local stations to insert local advertisements.

Therefore, theoretically TiVo could detect the beginning and ending of a commercial break and stop recording during breaks or allow FF to the end of the break. I'm sure it's only threats from content providers that prevent this functionality from being available.

The first version of "ReplayTV" did something similar. It 'read' the signal @ the beginning of the commercial break and again @ the end.
You could then use the 'commercial skip' button.

Needless to say, that feature was cut out of ReplayTV V2.0.

[miadlor]

There is some type of signal.........that's how the old ReplayTV worked.

***missed it by that much***

[maharg18]

Likely your bar is just using a device that detects black, and assumes that means a commercial break is starting. While some cable networks do include cues to trigger local insertion, not all do, and AFAIK none of the "big guys" like NBC, CBS do, local programming is based on timings.

[stevel]

ReplayTV used RCA's patented "Commercial Advance" technology, which RCA also added to its VCRs. It keeps track of the position of what it thinks are ads during a recording and then goes back later and adds flags in the proper places. On playback, the ads can be skipped automatically if desired. The technique is not foolproof, but it worked well enough back then.

Why Replay got sued over this and RCA didn't is something I never understood, though I think Replay's show-sharing feature was more of an issue.

[DeathRider]

My old VCR did commercial skip. After it recorded, it would rewind and mark all the commercials.

If you ever noticed, commercial's volume seems to be slightly louder than the show. I'm pretty sure that's how some devices differentiate...

[d_anders]

....Therefore, theoretically TiVo could detect the beginning and ending of a commercial break and stop recording during breaks or allow FF to the end of the break. I'm sure it's only threats from content providers that prevent this functionality from being available.

Yes, this is technically possible, but also illegal. The company that makes the dvd device to play it's own advertising on top of commercial breaks, and the bar itself are breaking the law. I'm sure that the bar owner is getting free tv/dvd equipment or a portion of the ad revenue or chunks of the "ad time" to allow the device in (just like the electronic screens above the urinals).

Once a local broadcaster hears about the device, you can guarantee that a letter (cease and desist) from the broadcaster's legal department will be sent to the bar owner as well as the device maker...

[mattack]

The first version of "ReplayTV" did something similar. It 'read' the signal @ the beginning of the commercial break and again @ the end.
You could then use the 'commercial skip' button.

Needless to say, that feature was cut out of ReplayTV V2.0.

Actually, I think the first version of Replay's solution did it automatically... then they somewhat limited it in a further update and you have to press a skip forward button.
(I have never owned a ReplayTV, mostly I'm nitpicking on the "first version" part.)

[classicsat]

ReplayTV used RCA's patented "Commercial Advance" technology, which RCA also added to its VCRs.

Why Replay got sued over this and RCA didn't is something I never understood, though I think Replay's show-sharing feature was more of an issue.

Exactly. While commercial skip unto itself wasn't worth suing over, it became part of the program sharing infringement lawsuit, which itself was worth pursuing.