47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition) § 15.117

§ 15.117 47 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

§ 15.117 TV broadcast receivers. comprising five pushbuttons and a separate manual tuning knob is considered to provide (a) All TV broadcast receivers repeated access to six channels at discrete shipped in interstate commerce or im- tuning positions. A one-knob (VHF/UHF) ported into the United States, for sale tuning system providing repeated access to or resale to the public, shall comply 11 or more discrete tuning positions is also with the provisions of this section, ex- acceptable, provided each of the tuning posi- cept that paragraphs (f) and (g) of this tions is readily adjustable, without the use section shall not apply to the features of tools, to receive any UHF channel. of such sets that provide for reception (2) Tuning controls and channel read- of digital television signals. The ref- out. UHF tuning controls and channel erence in this section to TV broadcast readout on a given receiver shall be receivers also includes devices, such as comparable in size, location, accessi- TV interface devices and set-top de- bility and legibility to VHF controls vices that are intended to provide and readout on that receiver. audio-video signals to a video monitor, that incorporate the tuner portion of a NOTE: Differences between UHF and VHF TV broadcast receiver and that are channel readout that follow directly from the larger number of UHF television chan- equipped with an antenna or antenna nels available are acceptable if it is clear terminals that can be used for off-the- that a good faith effort to comply with the air reception of TV broadcast signals, provisions of this section has been made. as authorized under part 73 of this chapter. (d) If equipment and controls that (b) TV broadcast receivers shall be tend to simplify, expedite or perfect capable of adequately receiving all the reception of television signals (e.g., channels allocated by the Commission AFC, visual aids, remote control, or to the television broadcast service. signal seeking capability referred to (c) On a given receiver, use of the generally as tuning aids) are incor- UHF and VHF tuning systems shall porated into the VHF portion of a TV provide approximately the same degree broadcast receiver, tuning aids of the of tuning accuracy with approximately same type and comparable capability the same expenditure of time and ef- and quality shall be provided for the fort: Provided, however, That this re- UHF portion of that receiver. quirement will be considered to be met (e) If a television receiver has an an- if the need for routine fine tuning is tenna affixed to the VHF antenna ter- eliminated on UHF channels. minals, it must have an antenna de- (1) Basic tuning mechanism. If a TV signed for and capable of receiving all broadcast receiver is equipped to pro- UHF television channels affixed to the vide for repeated access to VHF tele- UHF antenna terminals. If a VHF an- vision channels at discrete tuning posi- tenna is provided with but not affixed tions, that receiver shall be equipped to a receiver, a UHF antenna shall be to provide for repeated access to a min- provided with the receiver. imum of six UHF television channels at (f) The picture sensitivity of a TV discrete tuning positions. Unless a dis- broadcast receiver averaged for all crete tuning position is provided for channels between 14 and 69 inclusive each channel allocated to UHF tele- shall not be more than 8dB larger than vision, each position shall be readily the peak picture sensitivity of that re- adjustable to a particular UHF channel ceiver averaged for all channels be- by the user without the use of tools. If tween 2 and 13 inclusive. 12 or fewer discrete tuning positions (g) The noise figure for any television are provided, each position shall be ad- channel 14 to 69 inclusive shall not ex- justable to receive any channel allo- ceed 14 dB. A TV receiver model is con- cated to UHF television. sidered to comply with this noise figure if the maximum noise figure for NOTE: The combination of detented rotary channels 14–69 inclusive of 97.5% of all switch and pushbutton controls is accept- receivers within that model does not able, provided UHF channels, after their ini- tial selection, can be accurately tuned with exceed 14 dB. an expenditure of time and effort approxi- (1) The responsible party shall meas- mately the same as that used in accurately ure the noise figure of a number of tuning VHF channels. A UHF tuning system UHF channels of the test sample to

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give reasonable assurance that the (iv) Other video devices (video- UHF noise figure for each channel com- cassette recorders (VCRs), digital video plies with the above limit. recorders such as hard drive and DVD (2) The responsible party shall insert recorders, etc.) that receive television in his files a statement explaining the signals—100% of all such units must in- basis on which it will rely to ensure clude DTV tuners effective March 1, that at least 97.5% of all production 2007. units of the test sample that are manu- (2) For purposes of this implementa- factured have a noise figure of no tion schedule, screen sizes are to be greater than 14 dB. measured diagonally across the picture (3) [Reserved] viewing area. (4) In the case of a TV tuner built-in (3) Responsible parties may include as part of a video tape recorder that combinations of DTV monitors and set- uses a power splitter between the an- top DTV tuners in meeting the re- tenna terminals of the video tape required percentages of units with a DTV corder and the input terminals of the tuner if such combinations are mar- TV tuner or a TV broadcast receiver keted together with a single price. that uses a power splitter between the (4) The requirement to include dig- antenna terminals of two or more UHF ital television reception capability in tuners contained within that receiver, new TV broadcast receivers does not 4 dB may be subtracted from the noise apply to devices such as mobile tele- figure measured at the antenna termi- phones and personal digital assistants nals of the video tape recorder or TV where such devices do not include the broadcast receiver for determining capability to receive TV service on the compliance of the UHF tuner(s) with frequencies allocated for broadcast tel- the 14 dB noise figure limit. evision service. (h) Digital television reception capa- (j) For a TV broadcast receiver bility. TV broadcast receivers are re- equipped with a cable input selector quired only to provide useable picture switch, the selector switch shall pro- and sound commensurate with their vide, in any of its set positions, isola- video and audio capabilities when re- tion between the antenna and cable ceiving digital television signals. input terminals of at least 80 dB from (i) Digital television reception capability 54 MHz to 216 MHz, at least 60 dB from implementation schedule. (1) Responsible 216 MHz to 550 MHz and at least 55 dB parties, as defined in § 2.909 of this from 550 MHz to 806 MHz. The 80 dB chapter, are required to equip new TV standard applies at 216 MHz and the 60 broadcast receivers that are shipped in dB standard applies at 550 MHz. In the interstate commerce or imported from case of a selector switch requiring a any foreign country into the United power source, the required isolation States and for which they are respon- shall be maintained in the event the sible to comply with the provisions of device is not connected to a power this section in accordance with the fol- source or power is interrupted. An ac- lowing schedule: tual switch that can alternate between (i) Receivers with screen sizes 36″ and reception of cable television service above—50% of all of a responsible par- and an antenna is not required for a TV ty’s units must include DTV tuners ef- broadcast receiver, provided compli- fective July 1, 2004; 100% of such units ance with the isolation requirement must include DTV tuners effective July specified in this paragraph can be dem- 1, 2005. onstrated and the circuitry following (ii) Receivers with screen sizes 25″ to the antenna input terminal(s) has suffi- less than 36″—50% of all of a respon- cient band-width to allow the reception sible party’s units must include DTV of all TV broadcast channels author- tuners effective July 1, 2005; 100% of ized under this chapter. The provisions such units must include DTV tuners ef- of this paragraph regarding frequencies fective March 1, 2006. in the range 550 MHz to 806 MHz are ap- (iii) Receivers with screen sizes less plicable as of June 30, 1997. than 25″—100% of all such units must (k) The following requirements apply include DTV tuners effective March 1, to all responsible parties, as defined in 2007. § 2.909 of this chapter, and any person

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that displays or offers for sale or rent ital television Web site at: http:// television receiving equipment that is www.dtv.gov. not capable of receiving, decoding and [54 FR 17714, Apr. 25, 1993, as amended at 59 tuning digital signals. FR 25341, May 16, 1994; 61 FR 30532, June 17, (1) Such parties and persons shall 1996; 67 FR 63294, Oct. 11, 2002; 70 FR 38804, place conspicuously and in close prox- July 6, 2005; 70 FR 75743, Dec. 21, 2005; 72 FR imity to such television broadcast re- 26560, May 10, 2007; 73 FR 5681, Jan. 30, 2008] ceivers a sign containing, in clear and conspicuous print, the Consumer Alert § 15.118 Cable ready consumer elec- disclosure text required by paragraph tronics equipment. (k)(3) of this section. The text should (a) All consumer electronics TV re- be in a size of type large enough to be ceiving equipment marketed in the clear, conspicuous and readily legible, United States as cable ready or cable consistent with the dimensions of the compatible shall comply with the pro- equipment and the label. The informa- visions of this section. Consumer elec- tion may be printed on a transparent tronics TV receiving equipment that material and affixed to the screen, if includes features intended for use with the receiver includes a display, in a cable service but does not fully comply manner that is removable by the con- with the provisions of this section are sumer and does not obscure the pic- subject to the labelling requirements ture, or, if the receiver does not in- of § 15.19(d). Until such time as gen- clude a display, in a prominent loca- erally accepted testing standards are tion on the device, such as on the top developed, paragraphs (c) and (d) of or front of the device, when displayed this section will apply only to the ana- for sale, or the information in this for- log portion of covered consumer elec- mat may be displayed separately im- tronics TV receiving equipment mediately adjacent to each television (b) Cable ready consumer electronics broadcast receiver offered for sale and equipment shall be capable of receiving clearly associated with the analog-only all NTSC or similar video channels on model to which it pertains. channels 1 through 125 of the channel (2) If such parties and persons display allocation plan set forth in CEA–542–B: or offer for sale or rent such television ‘‘CEA Standard: Cable Television Chan- broadcast receivers via direct mail, nel Identification Plan,’’ (incorporated catalog, or electronic means, they shall by reference, see § 15.38). prominently display in close proximity (c) Cable ready consumer electronics to the images or descriptions of such equipment must meet the following television broadcast receivers, in clear technical performance requirements. and conspicuous print, the Consumer Compliance with these requirements Alert disclosure text required by para- shall be determined by performing graph (k)(3) of this section. The text measurements at the unfiltered IF out- should be in a size large enough to be put port. Where appropriate, the Com- clear, conspicuous, and readily legible, mission will consider allowing alter- consistent with the dimensions of the native measurement methods. advertisement or description. (1) Adjacent channel interference. In (3) Consumer alert. This television re- the presence of a lower adjacent chan- ceiver has only an analog broadcast nel CW signal that is 1.5 MHz below the tuner and will require a converter box desired visual carrier in frequency and after February 17, 2009, to receive over- 10 dB below the desired visual carrier the-air broadcasts with an antenna be- in amplitude, spurious signals within cause of the Nation’s transition to dig- the IF passband shall be attenuated at ital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs least 55 dB below the visual carrier of should continue to work as before with the desired signal. The desired input cable and satellite TV services, gaming signal shall be an NTSC visual carrier consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and simi- modulated with a 10 IRE flat field with lar products. For more information, color burst and the aural carrier which call the Federal Communications Com- is 10 dB below the visual carrier should mission at 1–888–225–5322 (TTY: 1–888– be unmodulated. Measurements are to 835–5322) or visit the Commission’s dig- be performed for input signal levels of

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