I swear I saw this movie at least twice growing up ( I'm 41).

The main guy went to a tech company where they were testing and demonstrating subliminal advertising, showing on screen what his eyes were looking at (boobs and bums!) thus showing the best place to have a subliminal message flashed up.

Anyway, I think he's watching telly at home and suddenly realises that he's missed a few hours and he's just been standing there hypnotised or mesmerised, presumeably by the telly.

There's a pair of funky bronzy-gold sunglasses involved, I think, which allow him to view the telly without being zapped (no it's not "they live").

I think when he gets to the root of the situation he discovers that people are being copied with laser-scanning and their clones taking over, or rather I think it might be like they copy every movement and body position of an actor (female in this case) and her expressions and voice so they can create anything without having to use the actor themsleves.

Or maybe I dreamt this.

That sounds like it could be Looker: Looker (1981) - Synopsis (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082677/synopsis?ref_=tt_stry_pl)

Good grief, you're right! Ridiculously I tried finding this movie title a few years ago and succeeded, then promptly forgot all about it again, I think because I couldn't find it for sale anywhere. Thankfully it's now 2014 and I've just downloaded ths movie instantly. Many thanks!

You are very welcome. I am glad I could help.