Slashdot Mirror
OpenTV Like TiVo on Steroids
Davis Freeberg writes "Davis Freeberg and Thomas Hawk recently interviewed OpenTV about some of the more progressive programming that they are offering to viewers outside of North America. Specifically, they have created a PVR that allows users to not only choose from 4 - 8 video angles, but even more importantly consumers can choose what audio feed they would prefer. Recently they miked up some drunk hooligans during a rugby match in Austrailia and cable customers could choose which commentator they prefered.
Of course this functionality doesn't come without a cost. In exchange for interactive games, karaoke and multiple HDTV streams, they collect data on the viewing habits of their users and then digitally insert 30 second ads based upon the demographics of their customers. While I'm not sure if this is good or bad, I do believe that this will be the future of television advertising. While we haven't seen this type of a privacy policy introduced in the U.S. yet, I'm sure that the PVR industry has taken notice of the willingness of Aussies to give up privacy rights for the ability to time shift televison.
"
The term smacks of something unwholesome...
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Is the drunken Australian hooligan audio feed available for all TV shows?
I, for one, welcome our multiple view angle personal video recording demographically focused overlords.
threadeds blog
It's pretty much as if you hired me to babysit, and instead of asking money for my services, I would simply eat one of your children when you're away.
Man is a slave because freedom is difficult, whereas slavery is easy.
I would shift all commercials towards the morning/early day when I don't watch TV.
Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
Are you available this Friday evening?
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
Watch Sienfield. They've based entire episodes on commericals (Kenny! Kenny! Come back Kenny!)
I think that at some point, we'll be able to tell our TV's that we are looking for, say, a new truck, and it will send us commercials for trucks and car dealers' offers. Of course, I'll tell the TV I'm really intrested in Victoria's Secret and Women's hair care products, but hey, at least the advertising company can say that I watch 100% of them!
"Well, good luck finding a judge that doesn't run a bestiality site."
If there was any way to get rid of Joe Buck or Tim McCarver during Fox National MLB games, I'd pay probably 8 billion dollars for it. "Brandon Arroyo is going for the Red Sox tommorow.."
> Who cares if an advertising company has on record my TV viewing preferences?
And when you have over yor girlfriends parrents, and try to explain why you keep getting all these S&M, and Viagra comercials.
oh wait, this is slashdot. I mean when your parents are over, and you get X-rated, kleanex, and hand lotion adds.
Rafael Palmeiro
I can finally see the naked chick whose back is always to the camera.
I though I was already reading the drunken Australian hooligan feed by default?
If not - I WANT A REFUND!
Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he'll say "WHERE'S MY FISH, YOU IDIOT?"