V-Chip 2.0, or v.gis, set to debut in DTVs
By Evan Blass 
posted February 24th 2006 6:00AM
posted February 24th 2006 6:00AM
The V-Chip (which stands for
ViewControl, not Violence), that venerable protector of children's morals nationwide, will soon spawn an upgraded
version that is scheduled to start appearing in digital sets on March 15th. According to an FCC mandate, all 16:9 DTVs
7.8-inches or greater in height plus 4:3 models with at least 13-inch diagonals must incorporate the digital V-Chip, or
"v.gis," which unlike its analog counterpart, can be adapted to modified future rating systems and also fine
tuned with regards to its filtering system. The v.gis chip was designed by Tim Collings, the same man who invented its
predecessor, and who draws criticism from the Consumer Electronics Association because of his ownership in companies
that essentially have a government-granted monopoly over this mandatory tech (which, of course, must be licensed by CEA
members). That's why you may have noticed an unusual number of "public service announcements" on TV lately
touting the wonders of the current V-Chip- they are actually part of a larger public relations campaign by the CEA,
MPAA, and others to build up support against v.gis specifically and the expansion of the technology in general.
Censorship? In the US? Never...
In one word "Money", their will be a lot of money made here and that is what a monopoly is all about...anyone care to agree.
Shhhhhhhhh...they're listening
can i use my v.gis to block regis?
" all 16:9 DTVs 7.8-inches or greater in height plus 4:3 models with at least 13-inch diagonals must incorporate the digital V-Chip"
So the big-screen TV for your living room must have a v-chip, but the little portable which sits in the kid's room doesn't need to have one?
Bunch of MENSA candidates there, clearly.
v.gis? Sounds like an affliction of the genitalia. As in, "*scratch scratch* My v.gis is really acting up today!"
Similar to Verizon, as in, "*scratch scratch* My verizon is really acting up today!"
The engineering and technology could be better spent.
Does anyone actually *use* the current V-Chip? Seems to me kids still find plenty of ways to learn about sex, drugs, violence, and large purple dinosaurs...oh wait that last one's supposedly good for them.
What about the best V-chip of them all? PARENTS!!!! The gov. should mind their own business. (and yes, I do have kids)
"The V-Chip (which stands for ViewControl, not Violence)"
I thought it was V for Vendetta...
The V-Chip is a good thing. It lets parents set guidelines for the types of shows their kids can watch without having to be subjected themselves to all of the inane kids shows that are on these days. If you don't need it, it basically doesn't exist as far as you are concerned. Even the best of parents can't know if some cartoon is gonna have more violence than they want their kid to see, so this ratings system is actually a good thing, in my opinion.
Even as a mandate, or monopoly, I fail to see how this could be wrongly exploited past the point of it being a government industry created market for the chip.
Am I missing some great conspiracy?
I would like a chip that could block entire channels for 30 minute blocks of time. Call it the thumb surfers chip... a new set of favorite channels every half hour, banning the infomercials and other dreck.
New, more specific ratings, eh?
The following program hasbeen rated TV14-ASPNMV. Press the V button on your remote for more info.
[press... the following appears on screen]
AS - Adult situations containing some kinda sexy moves. And that one chick... dayumn.
PN - Partial nudity comes within 1/4 inch of a nipple. We measured based on geometric interpolation. It's that one chick again.
MV - Mild violence with just a few gun battles or something. We didn't really pay attention. Not like it really matters, right?
Each version will be named differently, with "V" at the front.
I personally await version 6, V'GER. It can tell the difference between differing types of carbon units and can operate in space. Plus there's a naked bald women inside each one.