Recording your favorite shows on DirecTV DVR makes it possible for you to set your pause, rewind, and fast-forward buttons on the shows. However, it can be annoying to try to fast-forward or search for a specific part without disturbing the other viewers. Here are some simple tips that you can use to make it easy to discreetly tell where you are in a recording.
Use the Fast Forward and Rewind Buttons
The FF and REW buttons of your DirecTV remote control are provided to assist you in your fast-forward and rewind functions. Two buttons below the main screen allow you to move forward or backward in 10-second intervals. This will enable you to go through a recording with more accuracy as compared to simply keeping the button pressed down.
When using the fast forward or rewind buttons, take note of the timer that is appearing on the screen. This timer indicates at what point the recording has been fast-forwarded. The difference between merely holding down the buttons and using the precise skips of the buttons will also allow you to know your position without going beyond the intended area.
Use the Progress Bar
When you are watching a recorded show and using the fast forward or rewind buttons, be attentive to the progress bar located at the bottom of the screen. This gives a visual indication of your current position on the timeline of the recording.
After getting used to judging the progress bar, you can easily use it to quickly navigate to the beginning of the next scene or segment you wish to view. The white completed progress line along with the timer display provides you with all the context that lets you fast forward wisely.
Bookmark Important Scenes
The other feature of the DirecTV DVR is the bookmark which can be set at certain points in a recording. You might bookmark the great moments that you want to watch again or the starting shot where something interesting is going to happen.
If you wish to see your bookmarks list for a recording, press the Yellow button during playback of the content. The arrows and Select button help to select and go directly to those bookmarks without having to search for the place in which they are.
The use of bookmarks allows you to have easy access to timestamped points for reference, and do not have to fast forward or rewind in front of others.
Use Closed Captions to Follow Along
If the viewer needs to follow the conversation and storyline, it is highly recommended to use the closed captions available on DirecTV. Closed captioning is activated allowing you to read dialogues and scenes even when one is forwarding or rewinding.
This enables you to track the progress of the plot in a personal way without interfering with the other viewers. This way you will be able to tell what part of the story you are in based on the captions that will be given.
Use the Info Banner
When you rewind or skip forward on a recorded program via DirecTV, an “info banner” pops up on top of the screen indicating the details of the program being watched. Notice the Elapsed time and time remaining shown in this info banner. This lets you know how far you have advanced into the particular record that you are playing.
The info banner is displayed every time you change the position of the playback. Looking up to read the time values can assist you in determining where you are after going through the total time setting.
Listen for Audio Cues While Skipping
This is preferable to skipping segments altogether because even when the scenes are fast-forwarded, you hear snippets of audio. While fast-forwarding, pay attention to the series of phrases or any noise to tell you about important scenes.
Let the audio snippets inform the audience as to the precise scene or sequence to which they have been cut. Recurring voices and sounds can assist in remembering where one is when one intends to play a particular section of the video.
Confirm With On-Screen Guide Synopsis
Even as a part of the text, the on-screen synopsis will serve as the backup option while the audience is trying to find their way through the recording. Press the Info button to get more information about the content that is being shown. Reading through the episode synopsis can give the viewer an idea of what part of the story you have hopped into based on the description.
But, as much as rewinding and fast-forwarding for long descriptions could be annoying, they are equally as annoying as reading long descriptions. This method is best used when other cues are unavailable or when you want to confirm that you are in the right location.
Wrap Up
switching between recordings while making other viewers happy is a little tricky. However, if you can use the available tools correctly, then you can subtly inform where you are in the timeline. You can then slide to the right locations by advancing progress bars, time indicators, or audio prompts.
It’s possible to navigate to any part of a DirecTV recording using the right tricks without interfering with the show or disturbing others who are watching. Well, if cartoons are so beneficial, then grab that remote and start channel surfing!
