Sony offers up interactive DVR advertisements

Since advertisers -- and broadcasting companies -- aren't exactly fond of folks cruising through those ads while watching a recorded show through their DVR, and can't seem to get legislation to make it illegal passed just yet, a few companies have resorted to clever tactics to get those spots viewed. KFC offered up a "secret message" that could only be seen if witnessed in slo-mo, and TiVo has been testing fast-forward-proof banner ads to get the idea across even when blasting through the commercial breaks. Now Sony is getting in the act, by teasing viewers with an interactive plug for its Bravia TVs that shows "alternate endings" tailored to both men and women. It should be noted that only viewers watching through a DVR / TiVo will have the, um, luxury, of being able to pick and choose which endings to see. Sony apparently hopes to draw more attention to that fresh new LCD lineup by making stagnant ads a bit more lively, but we think they should be focusing on ramping up production on those sure-to-be-sold-out-everywhere PlayStation 3s.

[Via PVRWire]

[Daniel Rozycki @ Sep 24th 2006 9:46AM]

It's a dumb idea. No one will really care. I don't

[Deluxe @ Sep 24th 2006 10:23AM]

Daniel, one out of several billion. I'm sure your opinion is duely noted. :P.

[Jeff @ May 19th 2007 12:17PM]

I don't care either. It's still an ad that begs "give us your hard earned cash please? We're not rich enough yet" Yeah, well neither am I, I'll keep it thanks.

My name is Jeff..
I guess that makes it two out of several billion.

See where this is going?

Number 3 is just around the corner.

When we get to several billion, they'll take notice.

[OPTICAL OUT PLEASE @ Sep 24th 2006 10:47AM]

Wooo! I just got me one of those KDL40XBR2 LCDs. Woo! Dont know about the ad, but, those xbr2s are the benchmark for 1080p panels.

[Gary @ Sep 24th 2006 1:47PM]

Considering that not all DVRs work the same, it seems to me the only sure way to replace commercials is with product placement in the show. The blatant sponsorship of the 1950s might also see a return (Texaco presents?).

I always find it amusing to read these stories that target the Tivo. That's the DVR they're testing these things on, and since it has the biggest marketshare that makes sense. But it's not a solution that hits all DVRs. The ReplayTV and its philisophical successors don't just allow you to fast-forward through commercials, they actually automatically skip them for you. So any advertising embedded in the commercial period is skipped, no matter if it's slowmotion or blipverts or whatever.

MythTV, check it out.

[Will @ Sep 24th 2006 2:54PM]

Why do these interactive things always only work with TiVo? I use Windows Media Center daily, they should be able to make interactive commercials for that too (Especially since almost all Vista's come with it), I mean TiVo has the majority of the market share but that shouldn't stop advertisers from only working with TiVo. Now what I really want to see is advertisements for TV shows turn interactive, so that when NBC advertises their new shows for the fall I can just hit a button to record that show when it comes on.

[AndrewNeo @ Sep 24th 2006 3:31PM]

It says DVR/TiVo in the article: It only works with their own brand of TVs. Media Center may work just fine.

[Kevin @ Sep 24th 2006 5:38PM]

I have a Sony DVR. Can't wait to see this (if it works...)

[alfredo @ Sep 24th 2006 5:48PM]

The only annoying advertising I need is pasted into every conceivable crack of the engadget website. No thanks, Sony.

[Cade @ Sep 24th 2006 8:16PM]

If the commercial is stupid in the first place, I wouldn't want to choose between two stupid endings. Everyone should make commercials like Head On or Formula 9. ;)

[ColorSource @ Sep 25th 2006 11:48AM]

If you're skipping ads with a DVR, why would care about alternate endings for an ad? The true answer is you care about neither. That's why you're skipping in the first place.