[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]
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