[opendtv] Re: FTC's Lost Rule: Screen Measurement
- From: Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 21:26:58 -0400
Craig Birkmaier wrote:
> On the downside, a 4:3 display and a 16:9 display with the same
> picture height would carry the same value...
I decided to bite the bullet and just talk in diagonals awhile back=20
since that seems to be what is most used. But also because increasingly =
the sets, if not the content, will be 16:9 where the diagonal is almost=20
exactly 2 screen heights anyway (2.04) and thus easy to convert in my hea=
d.
- Tom
> Hmmmm...
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> In a world where TV displays now come in a variety of sizes and=20
> aspect ratios, what is the best way to provide a consistent and=20
> meaningful measurement to guide consumer purchases?
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> Screen diagonals have been the standard used by manufacturers and=20
> retailers, despite the fact that the FTC requires screen width as the=20
> standard in their rules.
>=20
> But screen height may be the best measure today, given the reality=20
> that a widescreen display will be used to view content that is=20
> 1.33:1, 1.66:1, 1.78:1, and a variety of wider aspect ratios in=20
> letterbox. And a vertical measurement is useful in determining the=20
> correct viewing distance, which is typically given is screen heights.
>=20
> On the downside, a 4:3 display and a 16:9 display with the same=20
> picture height would carry the same value...
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> What's the best measure?
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> Regards
> Craig
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>=20
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> http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA623039.html?display=3DBreaki=
ng+News&referral=3DSUPP
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> FTC's Lost Rule: Screen Measurement
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> By Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/3/2005 11:43:00 PM
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>=20
> Here's an outlaw gang that doesn't exactly strike fear in hearts of=20
> peaceable citizens: Sony, RCA, Best Buy, Circuit City =8A and just=20
> about any other TV manufacturer or retailer that has done business in=20
> the U.S. in the past four decades. The misbehavior recently came to=20
> light only after the Federal Trade Commission, during a routine=20
> every-10-years review of its guidelines, looked into what is known as=20
> the "picture tube rule."
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>=20
> The rule, which has been on the books since 1966, dictates how TV=20
> sets are advertised, and requires that the size of sets listed in=20
> ads, store displays and packaging be based on the screen's horizontal=20
> measurement. The FTC's intent was to ensure consumers had consistent=20
> specifications for comparing models. And they do-but the problem is=20
> that, for as long as anyone in the business can remember, sets have=20
> been consistently sold according to their diagonal measurement.
>=20
> So a 36-inch spec represents the distance between a lower corner and=20
> the upper corner on the opposite side. It also represents a more=20
> impressive-sounding sales tool: The horizontal measure on a=20
> standard-sized TV would be 28.8 inches.
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> The matter "is not something we've paid a whole lot of attention to,"=20
> says Julie Kearney, regulatory counsel for the Consumer Electronics=20
> Association.
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> The CEA is asking the FTC to rewrite the rule and require diagonal=20
> measurements instead.
> The association helpfully noted that both the FCC and the U.S. Trade=20
> Representative rely on diagonal measurements in rules governing=20
> technical specs and imports of television sets.
> =20
> =20
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