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That ITV thing |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Herts
Posts: 5,316
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That ITV thing
What is it with ITV and that little black and white thing that appears about 3mins away from adverts? I always remember seeing it, then it seemed to go away - and now i have noticed it again on this show. It can be usefull cos you know the break is coming soon.
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#2 |
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: hotel bella muerte.
Posts: 3,602
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I think you answered your own question there
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#3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Herts
Posts: 5,316
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sazz So thats the only use? I think you answered your own question there
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#4 |
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: hotel bella muerte.
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I think so, but to be honest im as clueless as you
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#5 |
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Herts
Posts: 5,316
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sazz Doh. perhaps its the aliens - I think so, but to be honest im as clueless as you
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Essex
Posts: 50
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youre right, no not about the alien thing..., it marks either an advery break upcoming or a live broadcast upcoming - though I'm not sure whether that bit still applies.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Herts
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Quote:
Originally posted by Fatbloke Oh ok then - i knew there had to be some reason for it.
youre right, no not about the alien thing..., it marks either an advery break upcoming or a live broadcast upcoming - though I'm not sure whether that bit still applies. |
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#8 |
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Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 2,083
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It alerts region broadcasters that an advert break is coming up so they can get their adverts ready.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Wirral
Posts: 1,147
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Quote:
Originally posted by craig@rewind & it alerts me to ask the wife to get me another beer whilst I nip upstairs for a pee.It alerts region broadcasters that an advert break is coming up so they can get their adverts ready.
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 295
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Cue Dots.
They are called 'cue dots' and, as people have correctly pointed out, are used to signal to the ITV regions that an ad break is rapidly approaching and so they need to be ready to play out the commercials.
These days they only turn up on live broadcasts, because otherwise the exact timings of ad breaks are already known in advance. You also see them on the other terrestrial networks. |
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#11 |
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Guest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,929
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Did the cue dots themselves actually mean anything? Were they like barcodes, each one meaning somehting different?
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#12 |
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Sydney
Posts: 88
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am I right in thinking they were a failsafe in case the automatic system didnt work?
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#13 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Herts
Posts: 5,316
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Re: Cue Dots.
Quote:
Originally posted by 625 Oh ok then. but surely they could have a system that is not visible to the viewer, seeing that thing on my WS tv always distracts me from the show im watching. And its not like they are rapidly approaching, they have usually 3 mins - it only takes a second for a person or machine to press a play button (if adverts are that simple)
They are called 'cue dots' and, as people have correctly pointed out, are used to signal to the ITV regions that an ad break is rapidly approaching and so they need to be ready to play out the commercials. These days they only turn up on live broadcasts, because otherwise the exact timings of ad breaks are already known in advance. You also see them on the other terrestrial networks. |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Medway, kent
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Cue Dots
625 is 100% correct they are cue dots. I dont know if the same applies today, but in the 70's and 80' each region had its own variation of the dot. Some were still while some moved. Sometimes they appear on live broadcasts only to be taken away again as they have changed their minds!! Cue Dots appear 60 seconds before a break, so when you see one next time and you are dying for a pee, at least you know you dont have to suffer too long!!! |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 17,473
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They are also used to warn the power grid of up coming breaks as when they begin most people put on a cuppa at the end of say Coronation Street.
Imagine a few million kettles being turned on simutaneously and you'll realise that if the grid didn't provide a surge of power Britain would literally short circuit its self. People that work for the grid have TV's installed monitoring the main 5 channels and with a rough idea of viewing figures can accuaratly guess what power needs to be genrated when a programmes ends. If it is too much or little electricity you will notice your lights flicker. |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Wirral
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Quote:
Originally posted by andyk22 Nerd!They are also used to warn the power grid of up coming breaks as when they begin most people put on a cuppa at the end of say Coronation Street. Imagine a few million kettles being turned on simutaneously and you'll realise that if the grid didn't provide a surge of power Britain would literally short circuit its self. People that work for the grid have TV's installed monitoring the main 5 channels and with a rough idea of viewing figures can accuaratly guess what power needs to be genrated when a programmes ends. If it is too much or little electricity you will notice your lights flicker.
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#17 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 17,473
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If it wasn't for those people the countrys power system would collaspse - your fridge would cut out - beer go warm!!! - can't see where to piss in the dark - fall down the stairs in the dark.
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#18 |
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: East coast of Scotland-
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Quote:
Originally posted by andyk22 …and think of the strain that would put on the NHS...fall down the stairs in the dark. Those guys controlling the add-power levels are keeping Britain ticking! |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 17,473
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lol - actaully they have diesel generators in hospitals just in case! but every thing else relys on them!
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