[Doug Brott]

Doug, I don't understand the logic of removing it from the wish list. Like most here (in this thread) I prefer to use the improved slip to Tivo's skip, in fact I gave up reprogramming the Tivo remotes for the skip so always used FF.

But there are Tivo fanatics out there who do like/love the skip, if you remove it from the Wish List they will cry foul. It would be better to leave it on and let it die by dropping into low number zone.

Andrew,

Thanks for your feedback. I guess that I have 3 factors that have played into my decision for removing it from the Wish List. I'm open to making an addition as suggested by milominderbender2.

The factors in my decision were:

(1) the Poll is roughly 3 to 1 in agreement that the changes are a suitable workaround to 30s skip

(2) It is unlikely that DirecTV will ever consider implementing 30s skip regardless of the feedback it receives.

(3) I actually really like the 30s slip now. I was certain that DirecTV could not satisfy me without 30s skip. The changes impressed me so much that I thought it warranted removal. With this complete turnaround in my thinking, it just threw up a red flag.

So, Andrew, say the word regarding adding back a 30s skip type item into the Wish List. If you say "Do it" I'll make it happen.

 

[Andrew_J_M]

I agree totally with #3 and #2. The slip is at least as good as the Tivo skip, and aslo D* are probably not going to implement a skip as pressure from the networks will over-ride anything a few users can push.

My mine concern is that Tivo fans will say that the survey is void because items are removed before hitting the bottom.

O/T - auto-correct is probably more important than skip vs slip. The Tivo patent seems to be for a "learning" correct rather than always skip back x frames when hitting play during FF. As far as I can see that patent was never implemented.

 

[Doug Brott]

My mine concern is that Tivo fans will say that the survey is void because items are removed before hitting the bottom.

Understandable. I have also stated that things will be removed from the list if they are (1) added/fixed or (2) a suitable workaround is determined to exist. "suitable" is subjective, yes, but it is a way to say "yeah, that probably covers it" without having to let the item go through a slow death. I didn't just want to pull the trigger on my own for this one, So I posted the Poll. It seems a clear majority agree that the new and improved 30s slip is a suitable workaround to a true 30s skip.

 

[bonscott87]

Agreed that no matter how much outcry there is for 30 second skip ala Tivo, DirecTV will never impliment it. They will take some crying users any day vs. intense pressure from the networks or even a lawsuit or two. Replay was basically sued out of existance due to their commercial skip. I think the only reason that Tivo has gotten away with it for so long is because it's a "backdoor" and the vast majority of Tivo users have no idea it's there. Thus is stays under the radar. There is a reason why it's still a backdoor code after all these years.

 

[Veloce]

The skip on my Ultimate TV was much better than this stupid slip stuff. It jumped 30sec forward instantly with each tap of the button. And the backward skip button went back 15 seconds. So you just tapped the skip till you saw you were past the commercials and then hit the back button once or at most twice and you were perfect. The key to a good skip is having it be INSTANT. There is no queuing of skips, and thus you never go too far and you can see exactly where you are with each button push. Sounds like the Tivo skip was sloppy/slow, and thats why you couldn't tell were you were and you would go too far. A good skip is no problem.
C

I'm quite happy with the new 30s slip. I actually prefer it to a 30 second skip, the reason being I can queue up 6-7 of them, and hit skip back when I see a frame from a show after a commercial. This allows for slightly varying commercial break lengths. With 30s skip, I might land 30-60 seconds short of the restart of the show, or land 30 seconds into a show.

 

[Wolffpack]

Well I can't vote as I have an R15 and not a HR20. I just love how we now have a common UI between all DTV receivers yet none of them work the same. Way to go DTV.

Exactly what does "common UI" really mean. That the colors and fonts are the same? To me a common UI means it looks, and works the same. That's not the case between any of these units.

 

[mikepatt]

I LOVE the new updated slip. I thought the old slip was too slow, and preferred FF. Now, the speed is just right, 3 minutes in just a few seconds is great.

My 2 cents.
Mike

 

[garypen]

The people defending this so-called "slip" sound like the members of Spinal Tap trying to rationalize the blacked out cover of "Smell The Glove". None more black!

The fact is that they implemented this 30-second fast forward in lieu of a true skip so you see the product logos in the commercials. It is not so you can see if the game is back on, or some other convenience to you.

Every other DVR manufacturer has a true 30 second skip. It is only because the parent company of Fox paid for these DVR's that you have this "slip". If Liberty is smart, it will be the first thing they change when they take charge.

I was gung ho to switch to D* until I just found out about this BS. I'll stick with C* for now. At least when I skip a commercial, it is skipped. I'm not gonna start using a shuttlecraft, when I already own a transporter.

 

[Doug Brott]

Gary,

Have you tried the 30-second slip? I find I actually like it better than the 30-second skip - something I NEVER expected.

 

[bonscott87]

Plus the fact that eventually a "true" 30 seconds skip will be gone from all DVR's as the media companies threaten DVR makers. There is a BIG reason why the 30 sec skip on Tivo isn't a supported feature and is only available by a backdoor code. It's only a matter of time.

Not saying I agree or that it's right...

 

[marksman]

I like the current 30s-10min skip myself that exists on the HR20.

 

[DJSooner]

I liked the way I was able to FF through commercials when I used TIVO and when I quit the FF, it actually bounced back a few seconds because I would always overshoot the end of the commercial. I am finding it very difficult to get to the actual start of the program after the commercials without going back and forward a few times. Any suggestions to the "Senior" in this forum?

 

[namja]

On my Tivo, the 30s instant skip takes <0.5s. So generally, I can press the skip 6 times in about 3s and keep watching the show. With the slip on the HR20, it takes about 10s.

Anyway, for those of you who insist that the slip is better, why is seeing the fast-forward important? If you see the program on the slip, then you've gone too far so you have to back up. On the Tivo, if you skip too much, then you have to go back. With either, you're gonna use the Replay button to go back 6s at a time, and again, the Tivo is more responsive and faster.

I guess if you WANT to see the commercials in FF, then the slip is better. Otherwise, the slip is a big loser.

 

[Bizarroterl]

I have a DirecTivo and an HR20. The Tivo is in a bedroom and gets much less use then the HR20.

When I do use the Tivo and hit the skip my first reaction is "Wow, I really miss this...."

 

[jediphish]

I have a DirecTivo and an HR20. The Tivo is in a bedroom and gets much less use then the HR20.

When I do use the Tivo and hit the skip my first reaction is "Wow, I really miss this...."

I miss 30 sec SKIP also. it felt a THOUSAND times faster. Because you couldn't truly queue up skips, you had to choose whether to hit it again or not, after seeing where you landed. It might have felt like you were queueing up skips, but in realty, by the time you were ready to press it a second time, you were already 30 seconds ahead. That's how fast it was.

With SLIP, I do feel like I'm watching the commercials. In fact, it's slow enough that my wife will ask me to back up sometimes so she can watch one. I hate that, but it probably explains why we have SLIP. It could be a compromise to placate the advertisers.

A backdoor option to SKIP would be appreciated.

 

[Wolffpack]

I felt the same way using my R15. But I'm just not sure if it is the SLIP vs SKIP or just the general sluggishness of trick play I saw on my R15 compared to any of my Tivo units. Maybe I was just feeling better feedback with the little "bing/bloop" sounds I hear on the Tivo. But to me if I press PLAY, STOP, RR, FF, JUMP BACK or SKIP on a Tivo I immediately hear the feedback tone and immediately see something happen on the screen. With the R15 there was a delay. 1 maybe 2 seconds and sometimes long enough I started pressing the button again and again until I saw something happen. But with the skip I could get through a 3-4 minute commercial break in 8-10 seconds.