[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16055-16056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7650]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 15
[DH 95-581]
Closed Captioning Requirements for Computer Systems Used as
Television Receivers
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Interpretation.
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SUMMARY: The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology is issuing this
document interpreting the requirements of the Television Decoder
Circuitry Act of 1990 and the FCC rules implementing that Act, as they
apply to computer systems. These requirements specify that all devices
designed to receive television service must be equipped with built-in
decoder circuitry designed to display closed-captioned television
transmissions when the picture size of such a device is 33 cm (13
inches) or greater in size. This interpretation is intended to provide
guidance for computer manufacturers and vendors with regard to the
application of the closed caption circuitry requirements to computers
and other related equipment that provide the capability to receive
television transmissions.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street NW.,
Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Engelman, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 776-
1626. [[Page 16056]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Closed Captioning Requirements for Computer Systems Used As
Television Receivers
Several manufacturers have requested information on the
requirements for displaying closed captioning as they apply to
computers that have the capability to receive television signals. This
Public Notice describes the Office of Engineering and Technology's
(OET) interpretation of the requirements of the Television Decoder
Circuitry Act of 1990, and the rules implementing that Act, as they
apply to computer systems. As indicated below, computer systems that
are sold with a monitor that has a ``viewable picture'' size of 13
inches or greater and that have the capability to receive television
service must be able to display closed captions transmitted on
television signals. Closed captioning capability is not required for
smaller monitors, for systems without television reception capability,
for computers sold without monitors, or for ``plug-in'' circuit boards
that add television reception capability.
Section 15.119 of the Commission's rules, and the Television
Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-431) upon which this rule
section is based, require that all devices designed to receive
television pictures broadcast simultaneously with sound be equipped
with built-in decoder circuitry designed to display closed-captioned
television transmissions when such a device is manufactured in the
United States or imported for use in the United States, and its
television picture screen is 33 cm (13 inches) or greater in size. See
47 CFR 15.119 and 47 U.S.C. 303(u) and 330(b).
Personal computers can now be equipped to receive and display
broadcast television programming. This capability can be marketed in a
variety or ways. For example, built-in TV receiver capability can be
included in personal computers that are marketed as complete systems,
e.g., systems that include both a computer and monitor. Built-in TV
receiver capability can also be included in personal computers sold
without a monitor. In addition, TV receiver capability can be provided
on plug-in circuit cards that can be used to add TV reception
capability to an existing personal computer.
The screen sizes for TV receivers and monitors used with personal
computers traditionally have been measured differently by manufacturers
in the two industries. TV receiver screen size is measured on the basis
of the ``viewable picture'' area, in accordance with Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) regulations. See 16 CFR Part 410. Computer monitors
traditionally are measured on the basis of the overall physical size of
the picture tube. In many cases, computer monitors marketed as \1/4\
inches or larger actually have a viewable picture size of less than 33
cm (13 inches). We note that the majority of computer monitors being
sold now have a viewable picture size that is smaller than 33 cm (13
inches), although the number of models with larger picture sizes is
increasing.
OET interprets that the requirements of Sec. 15.119 apply to
computer systems that have the capability to receive TV broadcast
signals and include a monitor that has a ``viewable picture'' size of
33 cm (13 inches) or larger, as measured in accordance with the FTC
regulations, 16 CFR Part 410. For purposes of this interpretation, a
computer system may be a single unit, with the computer and monitor in
the same housing, or separate computer and monitor units.
As a practical matter, computers and monitors sold together as
systems are often marketed with separate prices. This allows consumers
greater flexibility in choosing a system that meets their needs. OET
interprets that where computers and monitors are priced separately but
sold together, i.e., as part of the same business transaction, they are
nonetheless computer systems for purposes of the closed caption display
capability requirements and must comply with those requirements if the
``viewable picture'' of the monitor is 33 cm (13 inches) or larger.
The requirements of Sec. 15.119 do not apply to:
--Computers or computer systems that do not have the capability to
receive TV broadcast signals;
--Computers sold without monitors;
--Computer systems with monitors that do not have a viewable picture of
33 cm (13'') or larger; or,
--Separate ``plug-in '' circuit boards.
In issuing this interpretation, we wish to emphasize that we
recognize the importance of closed captioning display as a feature of
TV reception capability included in personal computers. We therefore
will monitor the practices of the computer industry with regard to this
feature, particularly with regard to the practices of selling computers
and monitors together, and will consider appropriate action in the
future as may be necessary to ensure this feature is adequately
available to the public.
By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.
Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Richard Engelman at
(202) 776-1626.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-7650 Filed 3-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M
