[opendtv] Re: FTC's Lost Rule: Screen Measurement
- From: Tom Barry <trbarry@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 21:56:28 -0400
Hey, what's up with the =20's in my posts? I didn't change anything and
never had them before?
- Tom
Tom Barry wrote:
>
> 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...
>>=20
>>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?
>>=20
>>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...
>>=20
>>What's the best measure?
>>=20
>>Regards
>>Craig
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA623039.html?display=3DBreaki=
>
> ng+News&referral=3DSUPP
>
>>=20
>>FTC's Lost Rule: Screen Measurement
>>=20
>>By Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/3/2005 11:43:00 PM
>>=20
>>=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."
>>=20
>>=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.
>>=20
>>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.
>>=20
>>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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>>=20
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