Commercial Free TV*
Using Your PC to Record and Watch TV is “Good”. No Commercials Is Better!
I used the switch to digital TV broadcasting as my excuse to stop watching TV.
Why have I stopped? Because I reached a certain Maximum Threshold of Tolerance. And, I don’t want to risk a RSI, (repetitive-stress injury) ala “carpal tunnel”, from constantly reaching for the remote so I can hit the Mute, Skip, Pause, Die You Stinking Commercial, Die !!! buttons. Also, I despise “reality TV”. I don’t think I’m alone.
The usual method for defeating commercials is to record your desired program on a Betamax, VHS, TiVo, DVR, or Media Center PC, and then “fast forwarding” (skipping) over the commercial advertisements; which long ago failed to meet the most modest standards of taste and decorum. Or we purchase movies and watch those… a few trailers at the beginning we can tolerate.
There should be a better way, and there is.
Today’s free download: If you use Windows Media Center to record programs, there is a pure genius program, for which I would like to throw the author(s?) a parade, which will automatically strip the commercials out of your recordings. That’s right – remove. That results in smaller files, and more enjoyable entertainment.
Lifextender is a dead-simple commercial-removal application designed exclusively for Windows Vista Media Center users. There is ZERO configuration required, however, there are plenty of options if that’s your thing.
[note: Lifeextender is “donationware”, meaning you can “tip” the author any amount, if you so desire. I “tip” my geek hat, and that’s for sure!]
* Orig post: 6/17/09
Copyright 2007-2010 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved. 
post to jaanix.
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
Note: You are responsible for using this blog and its content. I am in no way liable for any losses caused by user error, viruses and/or other malware, hardware or software failure, or any other conceivable reason.
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Tech - for Everyone 
Wish Lifextender had been available when I was into taping commercial free programs. I am no longer a TV fan, just got tired of “so many commercials” and such “junki” programs.
However, Lifextender sounds like a great gadget for those of you who still enjoy TV and taping.
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Gaia,
Nice to see you here again.
Yes, that is an advantage of “digital content” over tape recordings. But, there’s always the ‘fast forward’ button.
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Hey Paul,
I’ll be trying it once i get my hands on a high speed connection… ;)
Regards!
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Ranjan,
You might want to read An Open Letter To Arnold Zimmerman…
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Read that… But i’m compelled to use dial-up.. However, the speed isn’t that bad even.. I get 35-45kbps… Enough for me. Afterall, i’m not a download freak.
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How does it detect which parts are advertisements?
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Adrian,
I would only be guessing, and I refer you to the website.
… but I am sure there are flags. The old way was, to listen for the large volume increase that accompanied commercials.
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Hi Paul,
just to say that you sense of humor is remerkable.
I have read at least a dozen of times this review and every time I laugh when I read you reached the Maximum Threshold of Tolerance etc etc etc because of commercial spot:)
Sincerely
Another commercial and ads/banner hater;)
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leofelix,
If I was captured by the enemy, all they would have to do (to learn all my secrets) is show me non-stop The View, complete with commercials, and I would ‘crack’ in just a few hours.
There is no worse torture than our current daytime TV. (And.. I am only half joking…)
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Almost as annoying as commercials is the trend for programs to spend a minute after a commercial to replay what happened before the commercial. This is, I presume, aimed at the audience whose attention span is that of a mushroom. Also, these ‘talent’ programs which insist on using MTV-style jump cuts and running commentary. Some of us would like to actually WATCH the performer without you turds constantly interrupting.
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John,
Remember all the way back to when the TV broadcasts went “digital”? And you had to get a box to receive the signals?
Well, I used that as my excuse to stop watching TV altogether. Not only was the majority of the programming garbage, but I just got TOO fed up with commercials – the pharmaceutical commercials in particular. (I did some time back sign up for Netflix, though.)
I did not like how crude and low class (vulgar, even) the language and behavior portrayed was getting…
Without television, I am happier and more productive.. and I wouldn’t be surprised if I regained an I.Q. point or two, and perhaps a smidgeon of sanity too. (They started calling it the “idiot box” long before ‘reality TV’ came along..)
But they don’t care that they lost me as a “customer”. I am over 25.
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