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From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: CLOSED CAPTIONED DECODERS
Message-ID: <17769@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 9 Feb 91 05:21:20 GMT
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Index Number: 13648

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 CS> I AM LOOKING FOR IMFORMATION REGARDING CLOSED CAPTION DECODERS.

Hi Chris.  President Bush signed the Decoder Circuitry Act (S1974 and
H4267) into law on October 16, 1990.  The Act applies only to TV sets
with screens 13" or larger, and as I recall the effective date is
July, 1993.  The FCC is required to issue rules for TV manufacturers
by next April 15.  There is an ugly rumor floating around that the
FCC rule will require only a single caption mode chip, and will
not enable the full screen text mode used for services like ABC'c
"PLUS" or our PENNTEXT news (in Pennsylvania).  I haven't confirmed
that rumor yet, but it would be a pity if the FCC accepts a wimpy
chip.

I have heard that Sanyo demonstrated a set with a built in caption
decoder at the Tokyo electronics show last fall.  It is possible
that a few TV sets with built in decoders will make it to market
later on this year, and highly probable that we will see them in
1992.  I understand that the decoder chip will cost TV manufacturers
only about $3 in quantity, so it should have no impact on the cost
of any except possibly some ultra cheapo sets.

The current model "TeleCaption 4000" decoder is selling for a street
price of around $170 - $180, and it has a bunch of neat features
that were lacking on earlier models.  Some stores are still selling
the old "TeleCaption 3000" decoder for the same price as the newer
model, so be careful.  Hope this answered your question.

                                        Jack.

... I never listen!

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