Watch When You Want: You Can Now Eat Dinner With The Family!
Written: Apr 09 '01 (Updated Apr 09 '01)
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Pros: Great freedom from tv schedules
Cons: Collects anonymous database to be sold to marketers
The Bottom Line: If you want to not only save your shows for as long as you want but also pause live television, skip commercials with a button and select your favorite programs.
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| charles's Full Review: Philips TiVo PTV 300 Digital Recorder |
Even though we all know that the ads shown on tv end up sponsoring and paying for our favorite football games or shows, we still have a hard time with these commercial breaks. How many times do we get turned off by these refrains, "we must take a commercial break right now." These moments make us dream of PBS or NPR except during the fundraising drives. Who should foot the bills? Many of us care less. If it's not Superbowl Sunday when we wait for the commercials as well as the play by play, hits and touchdowns, we don't seem too concerned or pay much attention about the ads. For all of you who don't have the patience to bear these ads, TiVo wants to jump to your rescue!
You can imagine how such technological innovations make tv producers and owners scramble for new ways to give a good serving of commercials. If we, consumers or tv viewers, are tired of these commercials, what can they do to hang on these great sources of income? TiVo places the control back in viewers' hands. Families can now spend time together around the dinner table. This does not mean that every American family is going to hurry to get one. Up to now, its price is somewhat high. And you still have to pay subscription fees. A true tv viewer won't be deterred to invest a few hundred dollars in such an equipment that will work with tv, stereo, A/V system, VCR, satellite receiver, antenna. Its features outweigh the price in many ways.
TiVo Changes the way one watches tv
It is good for any gadget lovers.
A lot of you may not take the time to see the commercials when you record a show. With TiVo, you are in complete control of your tv set. You can set it such that it skips these ads and skip the reruns while you are gone on your sabbatical. No need to worry any more! It can even suggest new programs based on your interests. You can even enjoy your favorite show while recording another one. Imagine how many disputes this gadget can help solve in a family where teen agers often fight for the control of the remote control! So far, TiVo is leading the video recording revolution.
No More 30-second TV spot or Commercial Breaks? Marketers and TV Networks Take The Next Step
Every now and then, I watch TV. Lately, just like the rest of America, I have been watching the hot and successful show on CBS. Survivor: The Australian Outback is kind of a research and development for what is called "product integration." While watching the show, you may start wondering if it's by pure coincidence that Jeff includes the auctions into the show. How about the auction items? We saw the hungry contestants raising the price for a few pieces of Doritos. A can of Mountain Dew cost so much more. A beer, a bud costs so much too. How about the Reebok sneakers, Dr. Scholl's and Visa? We can take many examples from other shows. Seinfeld was somewhat discreet about product placement. Imagine what his show did for the Soup Nazi! For sure, viewers have many other options with cable and satellite channels. Why should they take time to watch the commercial breaks? Web advertising in a forum such as epinions may be the answer. One tends to get something in return even if you had to put in a little bit of time and mind-hand coordination
Watch out, Network producers and advertising managers
Viewers are savvier than you'd think
Show them what's in it for them. Otherwise, they will buy this TiVo product. Tell us why we should watch these ads. Will you come up with some favorite charity share of the ad? Just like during some games, we have the Chevrolet player of the game with some money going to some local charity, we want to know that we are contributing to a good cause. Viewers just don't want to know that the networks keep all the money for themselves.
Downsides with TiVo
For some people, it's a pain in the neck. They have to be familiar with setting things up. They have trouble with all the wires and stuff to assemble before they can truly reap the benefits of such a service. Furthermore, just like my wife's parents, some consumers are concerned about the privacy issue. According to the Privacy Foundation, TiVo has collected information about its viewers in the areas of programs watched and recorded, remote-control buttons pushed without asking for permission. They did not inform the viewers. TiVo acknowleged that it has collected information about its subscribers to be kept in an anonymous database to be sold to advertisers and TV networks This is completely different from what's expressed on the company web site (when I checked the info). They promised nobody will have access to your personal viewing information without your prior consent. They need to be more sincere with the users who pay for their service.
Despite all the downsides, we can say that it's a great product that is going to scare marketers and networks owners. On a "60 Minutes" piece on the product, Wallace could not get his own network to comment on the product. He was brave enough to show the piece. No matter how good of an innovation it is, TiVo must respect the privacy of its users. Otherwise, controversies will only follow. Who wants to be monitored? No one wants his/her own routine under the radar!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 850
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Epinions.com ID:
charles
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Location: CA, USA
Reviews written: 1079
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