There is an easy way to avoid having to watch TV commercials using a Digital Video Recorder. This tip will work with any DVR that allows users to Pause Live TV. Use TiVo, ReplayTV, or a DVR from DirecTV or a Cable TV provider. The trick is to Pause the TV show you are planning to watch a minute or two before it starts and leave it paused for 15-20 minutes. When you then start watching the TV show 15 or 20 minutes later, you will be able to Fast-Forward through commercials until the DVR catches back up to the live broadcast. If you keep the TV show on pause for 15-20 minutes, a one-hour show can usually be watched in about 45 minutes, skipping commercials as you go.
Watching Lost
As an example, I watch the show Lost every Wednesday at 9:00pm. At around 8:59pm I turn on my TV and DVR, tune to channel 4 (the ABC affiliate in my area) and Pause the channel. I then go away and do something else for about 20 minutes. I come back later, hit Pause again to resume Play, and start watching Lost. When the first commercial appears, I zip right through it, and continue to watch the whole show in about 45 minutes, all the time skipping the ads. When the show is over, it's usually about 10:10 or 10:15pm, so I'm only losing about 10 or 15 minutes of my time watching the show this way.
Try It Yourself
Using a DVR this way is a great way to avoid TV ads for shows you like to watch right away. It takes a little getting used to, but this TV Capture Method is a great way to watch TV!
More Digital Video Recording Quick Tips
Watching Lost
As an example, I watch the show Lost every Wednesday at 9:00pm. At around 8:59pm I turn on my TV and DVR, tune to channel 4 (the ABC affiliate in my area) and Pause the channel. I then go away and do something else for about 20 minutes. I come back later, hit Pause again to resume Play, and start watching Lost. When the first commercial appears, I zip right through it, and continue to watch the whole show in about 45 minutes, all the time skipping the ads. When the show is over, it's usually about 10:10 or 10:15pm, so I'm only losing about 10 or 15 minutes of my time watching the show this way.
Try It Yourself
Using a DVR this way is a great way to avoid TV ads for shows you like to watch right away. It takes a little getting used to, but this TV Capture Method is a great way to watch TV!