"TiVo Suggestions" could be improved...

[gbm]

Hi,

Unlike many, I actually think that the Suggestions feature works pretty well. The problem is that it keeps recording shows I've seen before. Netflix, and many others, implement the ability to indicate that you really liked a movie or show, but that you've already seen it and you don't want it suggested again. That way, the system can take the "thumbs up" without the need to suggest the same program again.

TiVo could enhance the Suggestions feature with a few changes. TiVo would need to maintain a list of 'rated' shows on your TiVo for this to work, but once they did that you would hopefully get a much better selection of shows from your TiVo Suggestions.

-- If someone likes the way it works now, they wouldn't need to alter any settings.

-- If you give a show a Thumbs Up, but you don't want to have it recorded in the future, you would be able to indicate that with a "Don't record this program" setting. This way, TiVo would learn your likes/dislikes but not rerecord shows you've already seen. Over time, you would weed out most of the repeats.

-- A further option would allow you to apply the setting to an entire series. For example, let's say I like Boston Legal and I've seen every episode. I don't want TiVo to record any old Boston Legal shows. For any series, there could be a setting "Don't record any shows in this series".

I know this would require an additional file to be kept and accessed on the Tivo, but even with hundreds or (even thousands) of entries, it wouldn't need to take too much room -- and it would go a long way toward improving the Suggestions.

Just my .02 !


gbm

[MirclMax]

I miss TeachTivo.


:(

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

For something to be "improved" Doesn't it have to work in the first place? I've had TiVo for 7 years, I've had suggestions turned off for at least 5 of them.

[mick66]

Hi,

Just my .02 !

gbm

TCF has many different forums for a reason.
There is a separate forum for suggestions like yours.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=6

[gbm]

Mick, sorry if this shouldn't be in this forum...I saw the text, "For general discussion about almost anything TiVo." in the header and thought a good discussion on this would be useful.

Apparently, TIVO_GUY_HERE won't even use it as is so a discussion might be helpful. I know it could be posted in Suggestion Avenue but I wondered if my idea had any traction and I thought this was the place for that type of back and forth.

If this should be moved to a different area, by all means move it there. I wasn't trying to mis-post.

gbm

[visionary]

I think it is an excellent idea too. By the way, even though that guy had his suggestions off for years doesn't mean a thing, I bet he still uses them. I too have always had mine off. But when you go to suggestions, a list of what it has found IS THERE and you can read the descriptions and just pick which ones you really do like to record. I think that is the best way to use suggestions, but I hardly ever hear it mentioned.

[mattack]

-- A further option would allow you to apply the setting to an entire series. For example, let's say I like Boston Legal and I've seen every episode. I don't want TiVo to record any old Boston Legal shows. For any series, there could be a setting "Don't record any shows in this series".

This doesn't apply to just suggestions, it applies to all recordings.

I would love (and would pay a one time fee for) the ability to tell it to not record each specific episode of a TV show that I watch. (This is NOT the same as new episodes only.)

There would only need to be a very simplistic UI.. possibly not even being able to look in the list to see which episodes you've seen. But View Upcoming or other means of looking at the guide would show something like "You've said you've seen this episode."

Then when a show is cancelled and you know you've watched every episode (ok, that would imply needing a way to view the list of episodes you've marked as watched), then you could simply delete this specific show from the episodes I've seen database.

For example, only recently I've started watching "Cash Cab". Some episodes are not recorded because of the 28 day rule.. but now I've seen most if not all of the episodes.. but I don't know if it's each episode. If the guide data is correct (they do have show #s listed), then I may have seen them all.. I am probably going to keep track manually.

[pdhenry]

For something to be "improved" Doesn't it have to work in the first place? I've had TiVo for 7 years, I've had suggestions turned off for at least 5 of them.Which makes you pretty unqualified to speak about them. Sort of like the Pope talking about sex.

[Stanley Rohner]

Which makes you pretty unqualified to speak about them. Sort of like the Pope talking about sex.

Kinda like watching that call in show with Sue Johanson giving sex advice.

How much is she really gettin' these days ?
:D

[SeattleBrad]

This reminds me of how I would design suggestions:
1-10 thumbs up for your favorite shows
1-10 thumbs up for your favorite channels
1-10 thumbs up for your favorite categories

Then Tivo would add up the total for each show and record those with the highest totals. Heck, you might not even need season passes with this system.

[megory]

This doesn't apply to just suggestions, it applies to all recordings.

I would love (and would pay a one time fee for) the ability to tell it to not record each specific episode of a TV show that I watch. (This is NOT the same as new episodes only.)

There would only need to be a very simplistic UI.. possibly not even being able to look in the list to see which episodes you've seen. But View Upcoming or other means of looking at the guide would show something like "You've said you've seen this episode."

Then when a show is cancelled and you know you've watched every episode (ok, that would imply needing a way to view the list of episodes you've marked as watched), then you could simply delete this specific show from the episodes I've seen database.

For example, only recently I've started watching "Cash Cab". Some episodes are not recorded because of the 28 day rule.. but now I've seen most if not all of the episodes.. but I don't know if it's each episode. If the guide data is correct (they do have show #s listed), then I may have seen them all.. I am probably going to keep track manually.

How about a category that will only record "NEW" episodes. I mean, really new, not just new, not recorded by you (me) but newly broadcast, never before, brand-spankin new!?

[wolflord11]

I think Tivo Suggestions is One feature they should do away with.

I have had mine turned off for awhile now. Not a single show that ever appeared in them I was interested in.

[megory]

Wolf, I think that's you. So for you, the best choice is to keep them turned off.

One of the things I LOVE is the suggestions. Oddly enough, I, too, keep them turned off. I have no desire to give TiVo reign over my recordings. But I do like to see what they suggest after they have "learned" my viewing preferences (after I get through the children's shows, then the sports, then . . . now, the nothing <vbg>).

So, I think it's best to keep all sorts of options -- even if they aren't options that we would choose!

Regards,
M

[dianebrat]

I think Tivo Suggestions is One feature they should do away with.

different strokes.. etc.
Suggestions are one of the most valuable features in my house, both my units are filled with them, the S2 has over 400, and the S3 has over 300.

It's about saving for a rainy day, and since I work hard teaching my Tivo's, they're pretty good at grabbing things I like.

Diane

[mattack]

How about a category that will only record "NEW" episodes. I mean, really new, not just new, not recorded by you (me) but newly broadcast, never before, brand-spankin new!?

You can already do that. I was talking about a way to record 'new to me' episodes, and have it remember which ones I'd seen.

[megory]

You can already do that. I was talking about a way to record 'new to me' episodes, and have it remember which ones I'd seen. Ahh, you're right. For some reason, it seemed that selecting "First Run" had given me only first time I had viewed, but on review it seems it was if I changed it to first run.

I agree with you! I like to record old series and watch them through without repeats. It can be tedious sometimes, selecting the appropriate ones, but at least it is doable. And one of the main reasons I've returned to TiVo.

[aus1ander]

I think Tivo Suggestions is One feature they should do away with.

I have had mine turned off for awhile now. Not a single show that ever appeared in them I was interested in.

This is precisely why they let you turn suggestions off. I personally let Tivo fill my entire disk with suggestions since they automatically get deleted for space. Especially in the summer, when there is literally nothing on [worth watching], I quite regularly watch suggestions instead of channel surfing.

[Amnesia]

Especially in the summer, when there is literally nothing on (...)"Literally nothing on"? Really? Every channel is just static? Maybe you should talk to your cable provider.

[Stanley Rohner]

"Literally nothing on"? Really? Every channel is just static? Maybe you should talk to your cable provider.

I also hate it when people say "literally" all the time. :down:
It literally drives me nuts. :)

[dianebrat]

It literally drives me nuts. :)

i had to.. I simply HAD TO! :)
This pirate walks into a bar with a big ship's wheel down his pants. The bartender says, "Excuse me, sir, but do you know you have a ship's wheel down the front of your pants?"
And the pirate says...
Aaargh, it's driving me nuts!!