Thursday, February 17, 2005

DVR NASTINESS

Just read this article on why you can't fast-forward on 24 if you're unfortunate enough to have a Comcast Personal Video Recorder.

I recently had the same problem, and I thought it was just more bugginess from the lousy software on the Bell Expressvu PVR, which also periodically records programs with 0 minutes, mislabels Gilmore Girls as Everybody Loves Raymond (which I personally do not; but I suppose Many People Despise Raymond and Wish Him Ill would not have been such a snappy title), and sometimes breaks up into digital snow for no hardwarish reason at all.

So those bastards are blocking fast forwarding??? Do I have to go back to my VCR? Or just buy a DVR without the industry-approved customer-screwing software?

When fast-forwarding becomes illegal, only criminals will fast-forward...

I recognize why networks might not want us to fast-forward through the commercials, which after all pay for the shows. But I'd happily pay to watch the shows without commercials (without, say, waiting for the DVD). That seems like a better idea.

Now if we can just get public radio to issue some decryption software that eliminates fund drives for those who've already paid up...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Alex...I hate those Comcast commies, too !! But here's the thing....

(you wrote) I'd happily pay to watch the shows without commercials ...

We are paying!! Comcast charges through the nose!

And while I'm on the subject, at nearly $100 a month (what I pay, not including the high speed cable umbilical cord) you'd think those monololizing jugheads could spring for some kind of printed or online "guide" of what freakin' shows they have on! Why do I have to channel surf for three hours on demand "looking" to see what's new or what's on. Do these movies ever change? When? Who knows?

Comcast sucks. If it wasn't so much trouble to switch to satellite, I'd of done it long ago.

Anonymous said...

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