Topic: The TV-advert enforcer

[Clive]

New Scientist

The advert enforcer
If a new idea from Philips catches on, the company may not be very popular with TV viewers. The company's labs in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, has been cooking up a way to stop people changing channels to avoid adverts or fast forwarding through ads they have recorded along with their target programme.

The secret, according to a new patent filing, is to take advantage of Multimedia Home Platform - the technology behind interactive television in many countries around the world. MHP software now comes built into most modern digital TV receivers and recorders. It looks for digital flags buried in a broadcast, and displays messages on screen that let the viewer call up extra features, such as additional footage or information about a programme.

Philips suggests adding flags to commercial breaks to stop a viewer from changing channels until the adverts are over. The flags could also be recognised by digital video recorders, which would then disable the fast forward control while the ads are playing.

Philips' patent acknowledges that this may be "greatly resented by viewers" who could initially think their equipment has gone wrong. So it suggests the new system could throw up a warning on screen when it is enforcing advert viewing. The patent also suggests that the system could offer viewers the chance to pay a fee interactively to go back to skipping adverts.

LINK

[Delgado]

What a crazy idea!!!

    The answer must be "Do not buy Philips products".

  In the same way that people boycotted Sony products, they should do the same with Philips. These manufacturers would do well to remember that the people are free to shop where they like and buy what they like!!!

  What next-"A toilet seat that wont lift while adverts are on-or a kettle that wont boil?" Or maybe a door that wont open to visitors!!!

  

     :roll:  :roll:

[Rodders]

I'll give the system 10 minutes before it's hacked/bypassed.    

[chorleydave]

It's a Dutch company.  The wallies who work there are probably came up with the idea after several hours of taking narcotics.   :twisted:

[Rodders]

I visited Philips' Evoluon centre in Eindhoven about 30 years ago.  I expect it will have changed a bit in the meantime, but is still probably worth a day out.  The building is shaped like a flying-saucer and crammed with more gadgets than somewhere with many gadgets indeed.

My abiding memory of the place is, being met at the entrance by a 30' robotic arm which contains heat, motion and sound sensors.  Once it detects your presence, it swoops down and inspects you.  Quite spooky!