The DtV Broadcasting System - the Archives

The archives consist of past shows, which you can replay. You can control the show using VCR-like controls.

To get access to an archived performance, you first choose the the performer, then the date, and then which show on that date (usually, there will only be one show, but there can be two or more). That will tell you how much access to that show will cost. Access to archived shows is on the basis of access to that entire show, unlike the chatrooms where it's based on minutes that you spend there.

The cost is worked out at 7 cents per minute for shows that are less than six months old 5 cents per minute for shows that are less than a year old (but more than six months), 4 cents per minute for shows that are 1 to 2 years old, 3 cents per minute for show that are 2 to 5 years old, and 2 cents per minute for shows over 5 years old. So, for example, a 30 minute show that was done last week, would cost $1.50 in tokens.

When you confirm that you want to buy access to the show, that number of tokens is subtracted from your token count, and you then have access to that show for one month.

At any time, you can have a look at what shows you've currently got access to, and when you'll lose access.

The archives controls

Above, you can see the VCR-like controls. You should be able to use them without much thought, but here's the function of each button, from left to right. When you press one of the controls, it will be a couple of seconds before it takes effect.

• Fast reverse - plays the show backwards, double speed. If you press it again, it doubles the speed again, then quadruples, and so on.
• Reverse - plays the show backwards at normal speed
• Pause - if you hit pause a second time, it takes the show off pause
• Eject - means that you've finished looking at this show for now. You can look at it again later, if you haven't reached the end of the month
• Stop - for stopping the show, a bit like pause. You can continue it
• Forward - the same as "play". After the chatroom is loaded, you have to press this to start it going.
• Fast forward - doubles the playing speed, each time you press it.

Then there's the row under the controls

• Skip lets you skip forward or backward, by the amount minutes:seconds
• Start goes to the start of the show
• Archives takes you to the "choose the performer" screen of the archives area
• 00:00 is the timeline, how many minutes:seconds you are into the show. It's updated whenever you press a control, or every 15 seconds.
• Windmill takes you to the Windmill
• End goes to the end of the show
• Jump lets you jump to the point in the show minutes:seconds