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Roku has patented a way to show ads over anything you plug into your TV (arstechnica.com)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

231 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (5 children)

Anyone know what I should be running Plex on instead? I don't want to just hook my computer up to the TV. Rokus are like $10, so ideally around that price point lol

[–] [email protected] 19 points 7 months ago (1 children)

This is why Rokus are $10

Spend more if you don't want this.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Spend more on what?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago

I've been using Apple TVs for this since they came out. I still have my original. It's always worked perfectly.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Nvidia shield is a good option, or any cheap android box

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Chrome cast still works too. Just grab the last gen versions.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I have a Chromecast in my office, but I want less Google long-term, not more

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

That's fair. The last gens were pretty "dumb" but your point is still valid.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Why not? To get a picture on a big screen, I just use a really long cable from my desktop.

I control mouse/keyboard input via KDE connect, or grab the actual wireless mouse and keyboard from my desk.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (2 children)

It's just not convenient, and not everyone in my house is as techy as I am, so having it work like a basic streaming setup is important. I also don't want to run more cables through the attic lol

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

This is the issue. Roku is good for kids, wife, and me, three vastly different skill levels. My garage? It's just my PC hooked up to a receiver that can go to a projector or a TV. I need something a little more user friendly inside. A buddy has the Nvidia Shield that I think is solid, but the Roku I have at home has a fantastic UI, or at least one were familiar with, which I think is key.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Fair enough, dad uses a chromecast, mum has a miui android TV stick that started off ok but the new Android TV version is pretty ad-heavy. Siblings don't have big screens at all, and simply use laptops and phones for media consumption.

Dads savvy enough that he'll just use the HTPC he has if the chromecast gets obnoxious, but mom could use something more bespoke. Getting that for 10 bucks without having her trade in her digital soul so to speak isn't happening. "Cheapest" option I can think of is something like an RPI with OSMC/Kodi/JMP + a FLIRC receiver. For what that will cost, a Shield or OSMC Vero starts looking reasonable.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

There are tons of cheap android boxes on Amazon and AliExpress and stuff. Even a raspberry Pi does an ok job.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I've had an Nvidia shield TV for like 6 years now. Very happy with it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

This has been recommended a couple times now. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

(Right now) I am jappy with my GOOGLE Chromecast with Android TV.
I enabled the App only mode and just watch Youtube and Jellyfin on it.
Besides youtube showings ads I have not seen any other in app only mode (though I believe the start screen has a banner though I am not sure as I automatically ignore it and launch my app).