The V-chip :: essays research papers

The V-ChipWhat is a V-chip? This term has become a bombilation word for both discussion evolvingtelecommunications regulation and television ratings, but non too many reportsdefine the mod engine room in its fullest form. A basic definition of the V-chipis a microprocessor that can decipher information move in the vertical blankingof the NTSC signal, purposefully for the control of violent or debatablesubject matter. Yet, the span of the new chip is much greater than any workingdefinition can encompass. A discussion of the V-chip must include aconsideration of the technical and ethical issues, in addition to examining theconstitutionally of any law that might concern standards set by the USgovernment. Yet in the space provided for this essay, the focus get out be thetechnical aspects and costs of the new chip. It is impossible to generallyassume that the V-chip depart do work the violence problem of broadcast televisionor that adding this little craft to every set will be a first amendmentinfringement. We can, however, mark clues through examining the cold facts ofbroadcast television and the impact of a needed regulation on that freebroadcast. "Utilizing the EIAs Recommended Practice for Line 21 entropyService(EIA-608) specification, these chips decode EDS (Extended DataServices)program ratings, compare these ratings to viewer standards, and can beprogrammed to take a variety of actions, including complete blanking ofprograms." Is one definition of the V-chip from Al Marquis of Zilog Technology.The FCC or Capitol Hill has non set any standards for V-chip technology thishas allowed many different companies to construct chips that are similar yet notexact or possibly not compatible. Each chip has advantages and disadvantages forthe ratings system, briefly to be developed. For example, some units use onscreenprogramming such as VCRs and the Zilog ingathering do, while others are consideringset top options. Also, different companies are apply different methods ofparental control over the chip.Another problem that these new devices may incur when included in everytelevision is a space. The NTSC signal includes extra information space known asthe subcarrier and straight blanking interval. As explained in the quotationfrom Mr. Marquis, the V-chips will use a true section of this space to sendsimple rating numbers and points that will be compared to the personalitysettings in the chip. Many new technologies are organism developed for smart-TV orselective information broadcast on this part of the NTSC signal. basically the V-chip willseverely limit the bandwidth for high performance transmission of data on theNTSC signal. There is also to be cost to this new technology, which will be