I hear what you're saying, but unfortunately I think videos with ads are going to become more common. Not at the beginning always, but most of the videos with commercials have those annoying pop-up ads. I've seen them already on videos hosted by MetaCafe, Break, Revver, and even YouTube a few times.

Recently I posted a 60 Minutes video hosted directly from CBS, and it did have an annoying ad at the beginning of it. However it was the only video I could find for their story about Karl Rove, so I posted it anyway. I felt the need for this story to be seen outweighed my distaste for commercials.

That's just my opinion, rottenseed. I respect what you're saying, and I think everyone here should give their best effort in posting commercial-free videos. But if that's not possible for certain videos, as it was in my case for the 60 Minutes video, then I might still post them anyway. Sorry.

All I'm saying, is people put ads in the beginning of videos because people watch the videos regardless. But that buck stops here, with me. I won't view the ad, I won't view the video, stop trying to rape every bastion of the free world for a fucking buck is all I'm tryin' to say.

If you don't agree that not voting or not posting is the way to go, then I don't have a problem with that. It's not like I think you're going out looking for those videos with ads at the beginning. But, I'm not going to sit here and say that just because I see that more and more videos have ads in them, that's more reason for me to just forfeit and join the ranks. If this is just a personal crusade, then so be it. I've got my reasons.

Even if these ads are inevitable, I am behind Rottenseed 100% - if you put an add before you video... You get no vote from me.

(unless your ad: markets to me; is amusing and/or is before a very important video)

I'm with y'all too. No vote for a vid with ads before.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

I don't mind post-roll, but pre-roll ads are ugh. The only ones I've seen doing that are from BrightCove- and that's why we don't have them as a host.

^The Onion does uses short pre-roll ads, usually something like "The following is brought to you by Old Spice". Still an ad, right? Not trying to be difficult, but these ads ARE becoming more common. I will also do the best that I can to avoid posting videos with no ads, period.

often there's a splash screen before a video. If a video chooses to include a quick splash screen before with a sponsor on it. I think that is a GREAT utilization of my time and theirs. Not opposed to it.

I guess to specify, it's the pre-roll ads like dag mentioned that are actually a separate video that get on my nerves. Anywho, thanks for the support, hopefully VS will become a big enough site one day where our boycotts will be listened to and our views will be taken into consideration. Until then, I'll continue fight the good fight in the microcosm.

What about all of the awesome TEDtalks videos (such as this one)? They always start off with a BMW ad. Would you downvote those?

A) I won't downvote a video for having an ad. A no-vote no-watch is my protest
B) There's an intro to the vid, and a quick "splash screen" that in MY opinion is acceptable.

I do think the whole intro is necessary but I don't feel like I'm watching a commercial before I watch the vid. In fact, I probably tuned that out the first time I've watched those. Point is...I hit "play" I want the video to commence. I've got a full day of bitching and griping and video watching, so I can't be bombarded with these "commercials". They slow down the pace.

I mostly recall that the Onion and TED videos have ads before the clip starts - I generally turn the audio down and hold a book before the greater part of the screen.
With TED clips I just click play and then pause, wait for the video to load and then click at 00:30 or something.

hmmm it seems like most of you choose to adapt rather than carrying the age old Neandertal tradition of smash and oppose all change whatsoever.

>> ^rottenseed:
hmmm it seems like most of you choose to adapt rather than carrying the age old Neandertal tradition of smash and oppose all change whatsoever.


funny, that you would phrase it that way.

Blah. I wrote out a huge rant but it all seemed pointless and obvious so I trashed it. Concise summary: Fuck advertising.

haha agreed berticus.