[opendtv] Re: FTC's Lost Rule: Screen Measurement
- From: Bob Miller <bob@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 10:42:06 -0400
Maybe square inches like in real estate.
Bob Miller
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
>Hmmmm...
>
>In a world where TV displays now come in a variety of sizes and
>aspect ratios, what is the best way to provide a consistent and
>meaningful measurement to guide consumer purchases?
>
>Screen diagonals have been the standard used by manufacturers and
>retailers, despite the fact that the FTC requires screen width as the
>standard in their rules.
>
>But screen height may be the best measure today, given the reality
>that a widescreen display will be used to view content that is
>1.33:1, 1.66:1, 1.78:1, and a variety of wider aspect ratios in
>letterbox. And a vertical measurement is useful in determining the
>correct viewing distance, which is typically given is screen heights.
>
>On the downside, a 4:3 display and a 16:9 display with the same
>picture height would carry the same value...
>
>What's the best measure?
>
>Regards
>Craig
>
>
>
>
>http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA623039.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
>
>FTC's Lost Rule: Screen Measurement
>
>By Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/3/2005 11:43:00 PM
>
>
>Here's an outlaw gang that doesn't exactly strike fear in hearts of
>peaceable citizens: Sony, RCA, Best Buy, Circuit City Š and just
>about any other TV manufacturer or retailer that has done business in
>the U.S. in the past four decades. The misbehavior recently came to
>light only after the Federal Trade Commission, during a routine
>every-10-years review of its guidelines, looked into what is known as
>the "picture tube rule."
>
>
>The rule, which has been on the books since 1966, dictates how TV
>sets are advertised, and requires that the size of sets listed in
>ads, store displays and packaging be based on the screen's horizontal
>measurement. The FTC's intent was to ensure consumers had consistent
>specifications for comparing models. And they do-but the problem is
>that, for as long as anyone in the business can remember, sets have
>been consistently sold according to their diagonal measurement.
>
>So a 36-inch spec represents the distance between a lower corner and
>the upper corner on the opposite side. It also represents a more
>impressive-sounding sales tool: The horizontal measure on a
>standard-sized TV would be 28.8 inches.
>
>The matter "is not something we've paid a whole lot of attention to,"
>says Julie Kearney, regulatory counsel for the Consumer Electronics
>Association.
>
>The CEA is asking the FTC to rewrite the rule and require diagonal
>measurements instead.
>The association helpfully noted that both the FCC and the U.S. Trade
>Representative rely on diagonal measurements in rules governing
>technical specs and imports of television sets.
>
>
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