NBC On-Demand

[editthis]

Anyone else notice that starting with last week's shows on NBC On-Demand they have gone the route of Fox On-Demand and have placed the entire hour network feed as it originally aired up to watch. So you have the entire broadcast feed with all the promos and bugs on the screen and the complete national spot breaks that you can't fast forward at all. So if you can only get through half your show or you super great DVR box reboots you have to watch it all over again. A super inconvenience, thanks a bunch.

 

[LKellerIII]

Yeah, it sucks. ABC is also doing this for their On-Demand shows. Maybe we should thank CBS and the basic cable networks for not going this route...yet. For me, it just means my DVR gets more exercise. Sorry - I am not watching commercials, if I can help it.

I do realize that technology has put the networks in a difficult position. They depend on advertising - and without it, they not only wouldn't make a profit, they ultimately wouldn't be able to afford to produce those fine shows we love so much.

Presumably at some point - when DVRs become ubiquitous in most homes, and everybody is watching through their DVRs and skipping commercials, advertisers will start putting their dollars elsewhere, and the networks will really have a problem.

They can't control DVRs - at least not yet - but they CAN control On-Demand

 

[editthis]

Actually I was reading an article that with a cable companies permission the network can imbed a code in the programming recorded by the DVR to take away the ability to fast forward on a program you can record on your DVR. Could be happening sooner than we think.

 

[ansky212]

Actually I was reading an article that with a cable companies permission the network can imbed a code in the programming recorded by the DVR to take away the ability to fast forward on a program you can record on your DVR. Could be happening sooner than we think.

The cable companies will never agree to that. There's no way I'm paying $20/month for a DVR to record shows and not be able to fast forward. I would cancel DVR service. I'm sure many other people would do the same. If I have to I'll use my DVD recorder.

 

[editthis]

The crux would be that if the cable companies don't/won't comply to this "request" they would pull their VOD service.

 

[formeraa]

I've also noticed that some networks initially put up a version with all the commercials. Then, a week or so later, they put up a shorter version without commericials.

 

[LKellerIII]

Actually I was reading an article that with a cable companies permission the network can imbed a code in the programming recorded by the DVR to take away the ability to fast forward on a program you can record on your DVR. Could be happening sooner than we think.

The cable companies will never agree to that. There's no way I'm paying $20/month for a DVR to record shows and not be able to fast forward. I would cancel DVR service. I'm sure many other people would do the same. If I have to I'll use my DVD recorder.

Agreed - I would cancel Comcast, and probably switch to a satellite service with DVR. Then if the networks successfully pressured the satellite companies, I would look at other alternatives. My son doesn't even have a TV - he watches almost everything he wants to see on the internet - some via legal sources like Hulu, but he also goes the "outlaw" route when he has to.

I'm not going back without a fight! ;D After 5 years of skipping commercials, I can barely stand to watch a 'live' (as it's played) TV show - it's not just that commercials are obnoxious - the other factor is the time I save. I watch TV almost exclusively in prmie time, for about 3 hours a night. Figuring 12 minutes of commercials an hour, I save over a half hour a day, I can use to read, exercise, or do something else constructive.

 

[Laurence Glavin]

So far, the only NBC show I've ever watched On Demand was Brian Williams' new magazine show, and the commercials and promos were excised. But I couldn't FF either. I'll have to try it this weekend.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Actually I was reading an article that with a cable companies permission the network can imbed a code in the programming recorded by the DVR to take away the ability to fast forward on a program you can record on your DVR. Could be happening sooner than we think.

That's what hackers and pirate black-box code are for.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

According to Jamie Kellner, you're stealing programming if you fast forward through commercials.

 

[landtuna]

According to Jamie Kellner, you're stealing programming if you fast forward through commercials.

What would you expect a TV exec to say? But it is a dumb statement and also untrue. By hitting the power button on your TV set you are not implying that you will watch anything, let alone the commercials that pay for programming. It is even more ridiculous when you consider the commercial may not even apply to you and you may be in the kitchen fixing a sandwich when it airs.

 

[LKellerIII]

I've also noticed that some networks initially put up a version with all the commercials. Then, a week or so later, they put up a shorter version without commericials.

For the first few days, Fox OD will run their shows with all the original commercials, and even the promos for what's "coming up next on Fox." But within a few days, the commercials will be replaced by others - generally ads for lawyers looking for clients to join their class-action suits against drug companies. It's actually worse than the regular commercials, because the same 2 or 3 lawyer ads keep repeating in each commercial break. Much more monotonous.

According to Jamie Kellner, you're stealing programming if you fast forward through commercials.

I've only heard Jamie Kellner's name in passing, but I'm prepared to call him an a**h**e. What a dumb-ass thing to say. Skipping commercials is in no way equivalent to stealing content - either through illegal downloads or any other means.

 

[landtuna]

After I posted I found this column written during the dawn of the DVR.

http://www.teevee.net/2002/05/whos-afraid-of-jamie-kellner.html

 

[Mediafrog+]

At least the breaks on ABC VOD are only one minute, which is tolerable. Fox makes you sit through what seems like eons while their original commercials and promos run.

Biggest annoyance for me is USA Network VOD, which often repeats the exact same spots over, and over, and over.

 

[sandiegoinexile]

Since I won't pay $15.95 a month for Comcast DVR service, I just tape the on-demand programming (and everything else) via VCR and can FF through the commercials. I can also take the tape anywhere in the house and on the road. If a VCR acts up, I head to the nearest thrift shop and pick up a new one for $10-$12.

 

[LKellerIII]

Since I won't pay $15.95 a month for Comcast DVR service, I just tape the on-demand programming (and everything else) via VCR and can FF through the commercials. I can also take the tape anywhere in the house and on the road. If a VCR acts up, I head to the nearest thrift shop and pick up a new one for $10-$12.

You call this strange machine a "VCR." Is that similar to the mythical "VHS?" There is a folk-legend about two mystics in the 1980s named "VHS," and "Beta." The legend has it that the 'Goliath' (VHS) was locked in a life and death struggle with the smaller and weaker 'David' (Beta)," and was the ultimate victor. I'm pleased to know that this legend is true.

Can one still acquire the mythical "cassettes" from which to record these commercial-laden programming>

 

[crainbebo]

Since I won't pay $15.95 a month for Comcast DVR service, I just tape the on-demand programming (and everything else) via VCR and can FF through the commercials. I can also take the tape anywhere in the house and on the road. If a VCR acts up, I head to the nearest thrift shop and pick up a new one for $10-$12.

You call this strange machine a "VCR." Is that similar to the mythical "VHS?" There is a folk-legend about two mystics in the 1980s named "VHS," and "Beta." The legend has it that the 'Goliath' (VHS) was locked in a life and death struggle with the smaller and weaker 'David' (Beta)," and was the ultimate victor. I'm pleased to know that this legend is true.

Can one still acquire the mythical "cassettes" from which to record these commercial-laden programming>

You can find blank T-120s at Rite Aid and other drugstores for $3 or so. I've only used VHS a couple times in the past year, to record the Royal Wedding (and most tabloid shows, plus Letterman) on 4/29/11 and Oprah's Series Finale between 5/23 and 5/25/11. Both times I used Maxells, one 8 hours, one six. I don't record a lot anymore.

-crainbebo

 

[sandiegoinexile]

Used VHS cassettes are 10 cents at one of the Sacramento thrift stores. Always fun to see what gets recorded. Lots of 1980s-1990s TV. The dollar stores generally have new ones for a buck. It's not like you can only use them once or need a zillion, though @10 for a dollar (and no tax...nonprofit charity!)... even a zillion won't set you back much.

 

[crainbebo]

I have the worst luck. I've stopped at Goodwills, St. Vincent de Paul's and Value Village's all over Seattle and I usually only find new tapes. Home recorded ones seem to be extinct in Seattle thrift stores. Thank god for eBay!

-crainbebo

 

[ansky212]

Since I won't pay $15.95 a month for Comcast DVR service, I just tape the on-demand programming (and everything else) via VCR and can FF through the commercials. I can also take the tape anywhere in the house and on the road. If a VCR acts up, I head to the nearest thrift shop and pick up a new one for $10-$12.

Out of curiosity, what kind of TV are you using? You can't record HD quality onto VHS or even DVD. I actually tried watching some old VHS tapes on my 46" LCD and the picture quality made it virtually unwatchable.