First Phorm "profile" you, now Tivo..

**Stuart C** · 07-05-2008, 15:16

Apparently Tivo has designed software to enable them to log which bits of a recording you watch, which you fast forward over, and which you watch again. Assuming, of course, you have a Tivo and live in the US.

They have used this software to predict the winner of at least 5 American Idol shows, and have suggested it could be used by political organisations to monitor televised debates or even the news.

Far be it from me to suggest that it could be easily adapted to work with a targetted online advertising system.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/american...l-results.html

Sadly, if there is a profit in it, I can see this being one Tivo feature Virgin will attempt to implement.

Mick Fisher · 07-05-2008, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Apparently Tivo has designed software to enable them to log which bits of a recording you watch, which you fast forward over, and which you watch again. Assuming, of course, you have a Tivo and live in the US.

They have used this software to predict the winner of at least 5 American Idol shows, and have suggested it could be used by political organisations to monitor televised debates or even the news.

Far be it from me to suggest that it could be easily adapted to work with a targetted online advertising system.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/american...l-results.html

Sadly, if there is a profit in it, I can see this being one Tivo feature Virgin will attempt to implement.

Without a doubt.

Woolly One · 07-05-2008, 18:40

why does 1984 spring to mind?

Mick Fisher · 07-05-2008, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolly One

why does 1984 spring to mind?

STOP THAT RIGHT THERE!!

You are not allowed to think. By Order of the Thought Police.

Any further thinking and you will be burned at the stake in the book fire as an example to others.

YUO HAVE BEEN WARNED!

danielf · 08-05-2008, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Apparently Tivo has designed software to enable them to log which bits of a recording you watch, which you fast forward over, and which you watch again. Assuming, of course, you have a Tivo and live in the US.

What's the return path on this then? Are these boxes used like V+ boxes on US cable, or do they hook up to a phone line?

Xaccers · 08-05-2008, 01:20

Ad companies are very interested in viewers habbits on things like Tivo and Sky+ where viewers are able to timeshift programs and fast forward through ads.
Course broadcasters are very interested in ad companies not finding out that the ad space they sold for £10K was viewed by 2 people at normal speed and 1.4m at 30x as they skipped it

**David F** · 08-05-2008, 08:28

Im sure they will find most viewers will fast forward adds . Problem is they must be stupid cuz those who do not fast forward the adds they are most likely making a sandwich having a wazz or making a cup of coffee/tea they cant monitor that yet

. I doubt many people rewind and rewatch adverts unless they are seriously dull

Losttheplot · 08-05-2008, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

What's the return path on this then? Are these boxes used like V+ boxes on US cable, or do they hook up to a phone line?

The UK version connects as standard via the phoneline, however there are hacks to connect it via broadband.
I haven't used either of my Tivo's since November when I finally got two Sky+'s. I miss the stuff they used to record for me un-prompted.

tweetypie/8 · 08-05-2008, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Apparently Tivo has designed software to enable them to log which bits of a recording you watch, which you fast forward over, and which you watch again. Assuming, of course, you have a Tivo and live in the US.

They have used this software to predict the winner of at least 5 American Idol shows, and have suggested it could be used by political organisations to monitor televised debates or even the news.

Far be it from me to suggest that it could be easily adapted to work with a targetted online advertising system.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/american...l-results.html

Sadly, if there is a profit in it, I can see this being one Tivo feature Virgin will attempt to implement.

ads are the bane of my life and i cant fast forward quick enough,and you can bet your cotton pickin life there is money to be made out of it.

danielf · 08-05-2008, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Losttheplot

The UK version connects as standard via the phoneline, however there are hacks to connect it via broadband.

But why does it need to be connected to phone/BB at all? My freeview recorder doesn't have a return path.

**Stuart C** · 08-05-2008, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

But why does it need to be connected to phone/BB at all? My freeview recorder doesn't have a return path.

Because it uses a *lot* more guide data than Freeview.. It offers guide data anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months ahead of time. Generally, the Tivo offers about 1 month worth of guide data though.