On digital tuner rule, FCC makes small exception
August 17th, 2006The FCC today granted a narrow exception to rules requiring televisions and related devices to incorporate digital reception capabilities. PDI Communications Systems, Inc., manufacturer of specialized video systems marketed to the healthcare industry, will receive an additional year to meet the commission’s digital tuner requirement.
The tuner mandate, already in effect for TVs with a screen size of 25 inches or larger, will require new TVs with screen sizes of 24 inches or less (along with VCRs and similar devices) to include digital tuners by March 1, 2007.
The PDI system allows medical patients to watch video programming, including over-the-air TV, while undergoing a medical procedure. The FCC, in an order denying the company’s request that its product be exempted from the tuner mandate, maintained that the system’s “viewing units” fall within the commission’s definition of television receivers subject to its tuner mandate. In granting the one-year waiver, the FCC made note of special safety requirements applicable to medical environments, as well as “PDI’s position as a smaller manufacturer.”
• Link: FCC [pdf]