Synch-ron-ate”: recording a show, then watching it — without commercials — so as to finish at the same time as the live telecast.
–Proposed new word; Ross Kaplan.
Want to watch the Oscars tonight, but not all the commercials? (inordinately bunched at the end — or at least, so it seems).
If you have a DVD, here’s how to do it (actually, it works for any show):
Step #1: Determine the length of program — or, in case of the Oscars, estimate it.
I’ll go with 3.5 hours for the Oscars (7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Central).
Step #2: Multiply the number in Step #1 by .30, to account for the approximately 30% of the show that consists of commercials.
Step #3: Add the product in Step #2 (about 1 hour) to the start time in Step #1 (7 p.m.).
Voila! 7 p.m. + 1 hour = 8 p.m.
So, if you start watching the Oscars live at 8 p.m., and “zip” thru all the commercials, you’ll finish (“sychronate”) with the end of the show in real time (around 10:30 p.m.).**
Just a heads up, though, to would-be synchronaters: you’ll want to stay off of social media — and your smartphone(!) — until the show is over, to avoid spoilers . . .
**I recommend recording the show following the Oscars as well, in case it runs over your time estimate.
Otherwise, the recording can cut off just when the “Best Picture” award is being announced.
