System would detect paused content on external devices and show ads on top.

A patent application from the company spotted by Lowpass describes a system for displaying ads over any device connected over HDMI, a list that could include cable boxes, game consoles, DVD or Blu-ray players, PCs, or even other video streaming devices. Roku filed for the patent in August 2023 and it was published in November 2023, though it hasn’t yet been granted.

The technology described would detect whether content was paused in multiple ways—if the video being displayed is static, if there’s no audio being played, if a pause symbol is shown anywhere on screen, or if (on a TV with HDMI-CEC enabled) a pause signal has been received from some passthrough remote control. The system would analyze the paused image and use metadata “to identify one or more objects” in the video frame, transmit that identification information to a network, and receive and display a “relevant ad” over top of whatever the paused content is.

  • DogPeePooEnglish
    70·
    7 months ago

    Now, if only they would invent the exact opposite of this, I would buy it

    I want zero ads. Ever.

    • melpomenesclevageEnglish
      273·
      7 months ago

      They did! Its called a pihole plus ublock origin plus piracy.

      You can’t buy it, only the hardware, but the software is all free.

      • LlewellynEnglish
        51·
        7 months ago

        You can’t defend against ads with pihole if the ads server has the same address as content server

          • LlewellynEnglish
            13·
            7 months ago

            But with the risk of malware infection, unfortunately.

            When something is free, you’re the product.

            I’d advise to continue to use non-pirated products, but only from those companies, whose service you’re satisfied with.
            And if there’s none, don’t consume product at all. It’s not like movies are vital for you.

            • melpomenesclevageEnglish
              21·
              7 months ago

              Vlc is pretty good, and I run a pretty strange distro. If I’m extra scared, I’ll use qubes or get a sacrifice machine.

              I think the poor having culture is important. Either art is important, or it Fucking isn’t. You seem to be arguing its the frivolity, not the substance and fruit of civilization.

              Video isnt my favorite medium, I have a lot of criticisms of it, but its still art, still precious. And so everyone deserves to have it.

              • LlewellynEnglish
                12·
                7 months ago

                And so everyone deserves to have it.

                And authors along with those, who maintain content distributing infrastructure, deserve to be rewarded for their labour.

                • melpomenesclevageEnglish
                  21·
                  7 months ago

                  But I can’t pay them. Its not generally an option. Have you seen the terms on their Fucking contracts?

                  Literally the closest I can get is wandering around Los Angeles giving money to people who look vaguely familiar or give off writerly vibes.

                  • LlewellynEnglish
                    11·
                    7 months ago

                    But I can’t pay them.

                    Then don’t consume the product. It’s entertainment, not vital goods.

                    By the way, where do their salaries come from, in your opinion?

    • KISSmyOSFeddit@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      7 months ago

      Have you heard about our new ad-blocking TVs?
      Thanks to our patented Ad-Away technology, they’re guaranteed to keep you free from all ads! Get yours now, Ad-Away subscriptions start at $49 a month!

      • quaddo@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8·
        7 months ago

        2 years later, somewhere in their sales and marketing departments:

        “Hey, you know what would make us even more money?”

        “No, but do tell”

        “Advertising”

        “Genius - how is it nobody has ever thought of this before?”