Patent madness: no more channel-switching during an ad

[Rakido]

An apparatus (270) and method is disclosed for preventing a viewer from switching from a channel when an advertisement is being displayed on the channel. The apparatus (270) and method comprises an advertisement controller (270) in a video playback device (150) that (1) prevents a viewer of a direct (non-recorded) broadcast from switching channels when an advertisement is displayed, and (2) prevents a viewer of a recorded program from fast forwarding the recorded program in order to skip past advertisements that were recorded with the program. A viewer may either watch the advertisements or pay a fee in order to be able to change channels or fast forward when the advertisements are being displayed.

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...DN/20060070095


I guess Philips is no longer on my list when decide to buy new stuff .... paying a fee to be able to switch the channel???

[az]

If this is ever implemented in consumer electronics, I'll never buy Philips again. And I thought they were one of the few companies with ease-of-use in mind.

[VJ]

Jörg

[Brian Ellis]

If this is ever implemented in consumer electronics, I'll never buy Philips again. And I thought they were one of the few companies with ease-of-use in mind.

Philips, ease of use???? Never, they are too hand-in-glove with Sony for that.

[GNEP]

Related articles:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/19/philips_enforced_ads_patent/

http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn9011-invention-the-tvadvert-enforcer.html

[TransformX]

Bleh, just like DVD zones, you'll simply buy cracked stuff instead :-)

[VJ]

The more I think about, the more I think they won't be able to market this.

I mean, it would prevent me changing a channel during a commercial. How many of you guys don't flick channels? Now imagine the TV blocking as soon as it sees a commercial... Or you are just watching some stupid show (or perhaps some commercials!) until your program on another station starts.
Marketing this would be economical suicide.


Jörg

[Fat Tone]

I agree this is ridiculous. However, almost every single time I switch from one cable channel to another the adverts appear syncronised! It almost makes it pointless switching channel 'cos you'll just see another set of ads. There has to be colusion here - or wouldn't it be in a channels interest to show a programme when others are advertising in order to keep you watching?

[Umfriend]

Never underestimate the lenght people go to reap gains.

It start with broadcasters coding signal one way or the other
Then they will only allow the code to be decoded by devices offering the "service" philips has patented
Then, you can only view if you buy a device that can decode it.

The value of a feature like this is not for the device manufacturer, it's for the content provider.

DVD zones were easy I guess, but it will not stay that way I fear.

I don't see this being implemented quickly, but I don;t see why it could not be implemented within, say, 10 years or so.

They already do it on DVDs, no? No fast forwarding or chapter changes during the first commercials?

Wankers.

[gt40]

Now, if a manufacturer offered a TV set at a discounted price with this feature, then it might sell.
The manufacturer could recoup the price difference from the broadcaster, who in turn would charge advertisers accordingly, or simply attract more advertisers based on the added advertising value.

[Byock]

Screw that. That is why I watch DVD's on my home theater PC. I can skip straight to the menu.

[Brian Ellis]

Screw that. That is why I watch DVD's on my home theater PC. I can skip straight to the menu.

There are many DVDs where you cannot do that. You have to go through an interminable series of rubbish and I know of no way to avoid it.

[schmosef]

I tried to start a post about this yesterday.

I titled it " F.U. Phillips!"

I thought I hit the submit button but it turned out that I didn't.

I asked Sasq if maybe a mod had deleted the thread because of my title but he said it hadn't been submitted.

I took it as an omen and didn't bother reproducing the thread.

Now you all get to feel how I felt yesterday.

[agallag]

There are many DVDs where you cannot do that. You have to go through an interminable series of rubbish and I know of no way to avoid it.

You avoid it by ripping the DVD, burning to a DVD-R, returning the original to the rental shop, then watching the copy in unrestricted glory.

Did I say that out loud?

[gt40]

You avoid it by ripping the DVD, burning to a DVD-R, returning the original to the rental shop, then watching the copy in unrestricted glory.

Did I say that out loud?

I have done that to DVD's I own - just to get past the forced view clips at the beginning.
It annoys me to no end that I am forced to watch advertising in a product that I purchased