Best method for ad skipping with Media Center?

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AceVPD

137 posts

Master Geek

#116187 21-Apr-2013 14:52

Hi

I'm wanting to set up freeview HD ad skipping on my windows 7 media centre HTPC.

What is the beat program to do this now days.

Any tips on setup?

Thanks!

HTPC: 3G P4, 2GB RAM, Nvidia 8500GT, HVR 2200 (for FreeviewHD), 2x Hauppauge PVR-150 (1 for analog TV + 1 for AV input), Windows 7
Display: 42" Panasonic Plasma
Blu Ray/Games: PS3

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#803073 21-Apr-2013 15:05

http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/02/changing-media-center-skip-intervals.html

AceVPD

137 posts

Master Geek

#803077 21-Apr-2013 15:21

Thanks for the link

Sorry I wasn't clear.I am looking for a plugin or program to do it automatically. I see there are some programs which can analyse the recording and skip automatically on playback.
Comskip,lifextender and MCE buddy have been mentioned on the forums in old posts.

I will use your method too.

Thanks!

HTPC: 3G P4, 2GB RAM, Nvidia 8500GT, HVR 2200 (for FreeviewHD), 2x Hauppauge PVR-150 (1 for analog TV + 1 for AV input), Windows 7
Display: 42" Panasonic Plasma
Blu Ray/Games: PS3

dontpanic42

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+1 received by user: 11

#803080 21-Apr-2013 15:30

I've never had much success with any of the programs that claim to automatically skip commercials.
Setting custom skip intervals seems to be the easiest way to do it.
Most commercial breaks these days are 4 mins anyway, so all you'd need to do is set the custom skip-forward interval to 59 seconds, and press it 4 times.

HTH :)

grant_k

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#803085 21-Apr-2013 15:36

I've set up the ad skip buttons on my Vu+ Duo to +/- 3 mins, +/- 1 min and +/- 15 secs.

With that combination, I can easily skip most ad breaks in 2 button presses, (+3, +1) but sometimes all the promos push the ad breaks closer to 4:30 so the 15 sec skip is handy there. Occasionally, they cut the ad breaks back to a bit less than 4 mins, so +3, +15s, +15s will do it. After experimenting for the first couple of months, I found it was the combo that worked best across all channels that I frequently watch.

Nety

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#803215 21-Apr-2013 19:18

Also just FYI you can hit a number and then skip to multiply ie 6 + skip = 6 X 30 secs

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

Shimmer

54 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#806145 26-Apr-2013 22:38

Here is the combo I use and pretty happy with the results...

DVRMStoolbox - to kick off comskip process as new recordings arrive
http://babgvant.com/files/folders/dvrmstoolbox/default.aspx

comskip (donator version) - to identify commercials and creat XML file
http://www.kaashoek.com/comskip/

DTB addin for Win 7 - so that MCE auto skips based on XML file
http://babgvant.com/files/folders/dvrmstoolbox/entry20021.aspx

RecordedTV HD - nice to have that marks the commericals on the timescale in red. looks cool and handy to see where the ads are coming.
http://www.recordedtvhd.com/

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

ajkiwi

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#810567 2-May-2013 23:52

Sorry I wasn't clear.I am looking for a plugin or program to do it automatically. I see there are some programs which can analyse the recording and skip automatically on playback.
Comskip,lifextender and MCE buddy have been mentioned on the forums in old posts.

Yeah, the "skip forward" button on my remote is busted as well.

Oh, wait.

No, it's not.

Seriously, I've tried it. The analysis isn't worth the hassle. Hit skip a few times and you'll be fine.

--------------------
Geeking for 30 years now. Awesome.

kiwijunglist

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#811306 4-May-2013 19:31

I use comskip (donator version, ~$10), works automatically with mediaportal, So I don't need to bother about cutting etc... Setup just literally involves telling tv server where comskip.exe, takes <1 minute.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

AceVPD

137 posts

Master Geek

#811439 5-May-2013 08:15

Thanks guys, I will give those a go. I have the ~1min skipping setup but it would be nice if I didn't need to do that either :) Speaking of wearing out remote buttons, I recently brought a new Harmony remote as I had warn out the volume up button on my old one.

HTPC: 3G P4, 2GB RAM, Nvidia 8500GT, HVR 2200 (for FreeviewHD), 2x Hauppauge PVR-150 (1 for analog TV + 1 for AV input), Windows 7
Display: 42" Panasonic Plasma
Blu Ray/Games: PS3