GadgetQueen
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We need to get the word out that some TV manufacturers are designing TVs that cannot decode analog caption data through the TV's analog inputs. Because the FCC has not specified that digital TVs must decode caption data transmitted into the analog inputs, these TVs are not out of compliance with FCC regulations at this time. However, they won't be able to decode caption data transmitted by set top boxes or other external devices via the analog inputs, which include component video, S-video, and composite video. For ANYONE who might eventually need to decode captions using those inputs, including family members or friends of the person who has the TV, that's bad news. Businesses or organizations that are required to display captioning may also want to avoid such TVs.
Samsung is one manufacturer that has decided their TVs won't decode captions via these analog inputs, but it hasn't been communicating that information ahead of time. People who buy DTVs from such manufacturers could find out too late that they will never be able to decode any captions from DVDs or DVRs using that TV.
Some other factors that are complicating things:
Another person wrote on this forum that his Viewsonic HDTV wasn't able to decode captions on the component input.
If one needs to be able to decode captions from a DVD using an HDTV, the best way to view the picture is by using component video. The next best option is S-video, and then composite video. Obviously, some devices may only provide composite video (like converter boxes). That's why it's important for HDTVs to continue to provide the ability to decode captions on all the analog inputs.
Please share information here about any new HDTVs that you've discovered don't decode captions on any of the analog inputs, providing as much detail as you can, like when it was manufactured and what the model number is, and how you determined that the HDTV won't decode captions (like whether you have a statement from the manufacturer about this).
Samsung has several statements online about their TVs not decoding closed captions via component video, like this one:
</title> <META content="Product Support" name=title /> <META content="Product Support" name=kewords /> <META content="Find world class Product Support information here." name=description /> <META content="" name=date SHEME="ISO-8601" /> <META content
and this one:
</title> <META content="Product Support" name=title /> <META content="Product Support" name=kewords /> <META content="Find world class Product Support information here." name=description /> <META content="" name=date SHEME="ISO-8601" /> <META content
(The above links aren't showing up as they should, but they still work.)
Please also share with us if you DO have a 2009 HDTV that can decode captions on the component video inputs, especially if the HDTV does NOT have an NTSC tuner. We need to know what manufacturers are continuing to address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people and other users of captioning.
Good manufacturers
RCA, Sony, Vizio, Philips: Some current models do appear to decode captions on the component video inputs
Questionable manufacturers
Samsung, LG/Zenith, Mitsubishi, Viewsonic: at least some of their HDTVs have been reported as not being able to decode captions on component video inputs (though it would be a good idea to doublecheck this with new models)
There are still a lot of TVs we don't know about, like Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, etc.
I will try to keep updating this first post as more information comes in.
Note: I recommend checking a new TV for its capability to decode captions, regardless of information that has been printed about them here or elsewhere. It's important to make sure a new TV will meet your needs before the trial period expires, and information here or anywhere else may not be accurate.
Samsung is one manufacturer that has decided their TVs won't decode captions via these analog inputs, but it hasn't been communicating that information ahead of time. People who buy DTVs from such manufacturers could find out too late that they will never be able to decode any captions from DVDs or DVRs using that TV.
Some other factors that are complicating things:
- HDTVs cannot decode and then insert captions into the picture if progressive scanning or upconversion is enabled, so for an HDTV to decode caption data via component video, the video resolution needs to be 480i.
- Some set top boxes may not pass through any caption data on the component video output
- HDMI cables are not designed to pass through any caption data at all
Another person wrote on this forum that his Viewsonic HDTV wasn't able to decode captions on the component input.
If one needs to be able to decode captions from a DVD using an HDTV, the best way to view the picture is by using component video. The next best option is S-video, and then composite video. Obviously, some devices may only provide composite video (like converter boxes). That's why it's important for HDTVs to continue to provide the ability to decode captions on all the analog inputs.
Please share information here about any new HDTVs that you've discovered don't decode captions on any of the analog inputs, providing as much detail as you can, like when it was manufactured and what the model number is, and how you determined that the HDTV won't decode captions (like whether you have a statement from the manufacturer about this).
Samsung has several statements online about their TVs not decoding closed captions via component video, like this one:
</title> <META content="Product Support" name=title /> <META content="Product Support" name=kewords /> <META content="Find world class Product Support information here." name=description /> <META content="" name=date SHEME="ISO-8601" /> <META content
and this one:
</title> <META content="Product Support" name=title /> <META content="Product Support" name=kewords /> <META content="Find world class Product Support information here." name=description /> <META content="" name=date SHEME="ISO-8601" /> <META content
(The above links aren't showing up as they should, but they still work.)
Please also share with us if you DO have a 2009 HDTV that can decode captions on the component video inputs, especially if the HDTV does NOT have an NTSC tuner. We need to know what manufacturers are continuing to address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people and other users of captioning.
Good manufacturers
RCA, Sony, Vizio, Philips: Some current models do appear to decode captions on the component video inputs
Questionable manufacturers
Samsung, LG/Zenith, Mitsubishi, Viewsonic: at least some of their HDTVs have been reported as not being able to decode captions on component video inputs (though it would be a good idea to doublecheck this with new models)
There are still a lot of TVs we don't know about, like Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, etc.
I will try to keep updating this first post as more information comes in.
Note: I recommend checking a new TV for its capability to decode captions, regardless of information that has been printed about them here or elsewhere. It's important to make sure a new TV will meet your needs before the trial period expires, and information here or anywhere else may not be accurate.
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