[mythtv-users] "V" chip

Steve Hodge stevehodge at gmail.com
Mon Feb 27 23:58:57 UTC 2006


On 2/28/06, George Nassas <gnassas at mac.com> wrote:
> The loaded paragraph is this one:
>
> "The current V-chips recognize the current RRT, which is communicated
> as part of the Program and System Information Protocol. Assuming that a
> broadcaster could communicate a new ratings system via the PSIP that
> both the chip and a TV's software can understand, users could program
> the open V-chip with any number of filters that go beyond the general
> descriptors of sex, language, and violence used today."

That describes a system where flags are attached to content and the
display device can recognise those flags and take some sort of action.
Nothing wrong with that.

> This is potentially the broadcast flag by a different name. Of course,
> v-chip can be turned off by the consumer so that would have to change
> but something like this puts more the the infrastructure in place for
> the networks to control how you watch tv.

The missing part is that the law would have to mandate the action that
the V-chip system takes for certain flags, and that law would have to
be implemented in the V-chip hardware or software. Then it's
essentially a broadcast flag substitute. But making that change is no
easier than implementing a broadcast flag from scratch (unless V-chip
software can be remotely upgraded).

> Or maybe I'm being paranoid...

I think so. I wouldn't worry too much about the potential for it to be
changed into something problematic. There are plenty of more urgent
battles to fight.

Steve


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