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Trimming Television to Sell More Ads

Posted by michael on from the blood-from-a-stone dept.

gambit3 writes: "Tech TV has an article about a device called a "Digital Time Machine", that does something called "Time Trimming", which is basically a way to cut single frames from different scenes in TV programs, which, over the course of a 30 minute program, can add up to 30 seconds, which is, incidentally, the perfect length to add ANOTHER commercial."

3 of 536 comments (clear)

  1. I already do this . . . by Ezubaric · · Score: 5, Funny

    If only I had a patent.

    Each year, I prepare for the Super Bowl. Not that I like the Super Bowl, but apart from knowing the score at each quarter, the only knowledge you need to prove that you watched the game is what commercials were shown.

    After programming my VCR to record the game, I watch the amusing commercials and fast forward through the game itself. This new-fangled "Time Machine" just gives you the illusion of actually watching the show between ads.

    --

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    I am an expert in electricity. My father held the chair of applied electricity at the state prision.
  2. You folks are looking at it wrong... by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't look at this as being "another commercial" - look at it as "overclocking your TV" - just think, that's thirty seconds less time per show you have to watch, just by skipping over it with your Tivo.

    Heck, I've often wanted the ability to do just this - compress a TV show I want to see so as to be better able to fit it into my time.

    Now, if we could just compress the time wasted by laugh tracks....

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    www.eFax.com are spammers
  3. Re:Sounds like "Cash" on radio by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny
    Rush Limbaugh among others have blasted it for ruining the listener's experience.

    <audio style="rush-limbaugh-voice">

    Rush Limbaugh doesn't like it. Folks, I can't believe the... the... the.. gall this guy has. People, I can't emphasize this enough: The radio stations are there to make money for Clear Channel stockholders, not as some charity to provide the best possible experience for Rush's listeners.

    Look, folks, if Rush doesn't want this technology applied to his show, he's free to negotiate a contract with the radio stations that enforces his wishes. Anybody in this great country of ours can negotiate any contract they want. I hope that he's not going to try to get the government weenies at the FCC to meddle with the radio stations' livelyhoods.

    Sheesh. Sometimes, I just don't know. We'll be back after this...

    <riff genre="80's rock">

    </audio>