FCC gets tough on DTV tuner rules - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

BGonaSTICK · 11-06-07, 11:57 AM

US media regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined two companies a total of nearly $3m after ruling they shipped television sets that did not incorporate digital tuners. Under phased-in FCC rules, fully in place since March 1, devices containing analogue television receivers cannot be imported into the US, or shipped within it, unless they incorporate tuners "capable of receiving the signals of DTV broadcast stations over-the-air".

The FCC ruled that Syntax-Brillian imported and then shipped more than 72,000 sets without digital tuners, and fined the company $2.9m. Also fined was Regent USA, which the FCC said had shipped 2,179 sets; its fine totalled $63,650.

The FCC said it would impose fines on companies based on the number of units shipped—the first 1,000 units would be fined at $50 per unit, rising to $250 per unit for more than 50,000 units shipped.

"The DTV tuner requirement was intended to facilitate the transition to digital television by promoting the availability of DTV reception equipment and to protect consumers by ensuring that their television receivers will provide off-the-air television reception of digital signals just as they have provided off-the-air television reception of analogue signals," said the FCC.

The FCC also made clear it would not tolerate electrical retailers selling analogue sets without a necessary consumer alert warning purchasers that the equipment would not work after the US digital switchover date of February 17, 2009. Fines of up to $97,500 per infraction would be imposed, warned the FCC.

Jimdefruit · 11-06-07, 01:27 PM

What a lot of 'tosh'

I want to choose my own digital receiver, so why should I pay for someone to include a digital tuner in a tv?

In fact the best option and picture can be achieved by using a tunerless screen and feeding a good signal to it.

remlap · 11-06-07, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimdefruit

What a lot of 'tosh'

I want to choose my own digital receiver, so why should I pay for someone to include a digital tuner in a tv?

In fact the best option and picture can be achieved by using a tunerless screen and feeding a good signal to it.

Ah but ATSC tuners in America are VERY expensive and very hard to come by, especially the ones that down convert the HD signal to an SD signal a regular tv set can handle.

Jimdefruit · 11-06-07, 06:14 PM

Any av amp will do that and they are considerably cheaper than here.

remlap · 11-06-07, 11:22 PM

Im sure Average Joe American will want to buy one of those.

Good on the FCC for mandating all tv sets have ATSC tuners, if the sets HD capable or not.

11-06-07, 11:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 163 Times in 57 Posts	FCC gets tough on DTV tuner rules US media regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined two companies a total of nearly $3m after ruling they shipped television sets that did not incorporate digital tuners. Under phased-in FCC rules, fully in place since March 1, devices containing analogue television receivers cannot be imported into the US, or shipped within it, unless they incorporate tuners "capable of receiving the signals of DTV broadcast stations over-the-air". The FCC ruled that Syntax-Brillian imported and then shipped more than 72,000 sets without digital tuners, and fined the company $2.9m. Also fined was Regent USA, which the FCC said had shipped 2,179 sets; its fine totalled $63,650. The FCC said it would impose fines on companies based on the number of units shipped—the first 1,000 units would be fined at $50 per unit, rising to $250 per unit for more than 50,000 units shipped. "The DTV tuner requirement was intended to facilitate the transition to digital television by promoting the availability of DTV reception equipment and to protect consumers by ensuring that their television receivers will provide off-the-air television reception of digital signals just as they have provided off-the-air television reception of analogue signals," said the FCC. The FCC also made clear it would not tolerate electrical retailers selling analogue sets without a necessary consumer alert warning purchasers that the equipment would not work after the US digital switchover date of February 17, 2009. Fines of up to $97,500 per infraction would be imposed, warned the FCC. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

11-06-07, 01:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,858 Thanks: 20 Thanked 221 Times in 187 Posts	Re: FCC gets tough on DTV tuner rules What a lot of 'tosh' I want to choose my own digital receiver, so why should I pay for someone to include a digital tuner in a tv? In fact the best option and picture can be achieved by using a tunerless screen and feeding a good signal to it. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreamboxes If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

11-06-07, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,858 Thanks: 20 Thanked 221 Times in 187 Posts	Re: FCC gets tough on DTV tuner rules Any av amp will do that and they are considerably cheaper than here. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreamboxes If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

11-06-07, 11:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
remlap Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Wales Posts: 831 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Re: FCC gets tough on DTV tuner rules Im sure Average Joe American will want to buy one of those. Good on the FCC for mandating all tv sets have ATSC tuners, if the sets HD capable or not.