V-Chip 2.0, or v.gis, set to debut in DTVs

The V-Chip (which stands for ViewControl, not Violence), that venerable protector of children's morals nationwide, will soon spawn an upgraded version that is scheduled to start appearing in digital sets on March 15th. According to an FCC mandate, all 16:9 DTVs 7.8-inches or greater in height plus 4:3 models with at least 13-inch diagonals must incorporate the digital V-Chip, or "v.gis," which unlike its analog counterpart, can be adapted to modified future rating systems and also fine tuned with regards to its filtering system. The v.gis chip was designed by Tim Collings, the same man who invented its predecessor, and who draws criticism from the Consumer Electronics Association because of his ownership in companies that essentially have a government-granted monopoly over this mandatory tech (which, of course, must be licensed by CEA members). That's why you may have noticed an unusual number of "public service announcements" on TV lately touting the wonders of the current V-Chip- they are actually part of a larger public relations campaign by the CEA, MPAA, and others to build up support against v.gis specifically and the expansion of the technology in general.

[Sarcasm @ Feb 24th 2006 6:33AM]

Censorship? In the US? Never...

[Product Reviews @ Feb 24th 2006 6:34AM]

In one word "Money", their will be a lot of money made here and that is what a monopoly is all about...anyone care to agree.

[Paranoid @ Feb 24th 2006 6:46AM]

Shhhhhhhhh...they're listening

[db @ Feb 24th 2006 6:51AM]

can i use my v.gis to block regis?

[sockatume @ Feb 24th 2006 7:54AM]

" all 16:9 DTVs 7.8-inches or greater in height plus 4:3 models with at least 13-inch diagonals must incorporate the digital V-Chip"

So the big-screen TV for your living room must have a v-chip, but the little portable which sits in the kid's room doesn't need to have one?

Bunch of MENSA candidates there, clearly.

[Justin @ Feb 24th 2006 8:58AM]

v.gis? Sounds like an affliction of the genitalia. As in, "*scratch scratch* My v.gis is really acting up today!"

Similar to Verizon, as in, "*scratch scratch* My verizon is really acting up today!"

[Kevin @ Feb 24th 2006 9:11AM]

The engineering and technology could be better spent.

[Tim @ Feb 24th 2006 11:03AM]

Does anyone actually *use* the current V-Chip? Seems to me kids still find plenty of ways to learn about sex, drugs, violence, and large purple dinosaurs...oh wait that last one's supposedly good for them.

[Brent @ Feb 24th 2006 11:25AM]

What about the best V-chip of them all? PARENTS!!!! The gov. should mind their own business. (and yes, I do have kids)

[Mark @ Feb 24th 2006 11:35AM]

"The V-Chip (which stands for ViewControl, not Violence)"

I thought it was V for Vendetta...

[PDubNYC @ Feb 24th 2006 12:34PM]

The V-Chip is a good thing. It lets parents set guidelines for the types of shows their kids can watch without having to be subjected themselves to all of the inane kids shows that are on these days. If you don't need it, it basically doesn't exist as far as you are concerned. Even the best of parents can't know if some cartoon is gonna have more violence than they want their kid to see, so this ratings system is actually a good thing, in my opinion.

[Wry Cooter @ Feb 24th 2006 12:57PM]

Even as a mandate, or monopoly, I fail to see how this could be wrongly exploited past the point of it being a government industry created market for the chip.

Am I missing some great conspiracy?

I would like a chip that could block entire channels for 30 minute blocks of time. Call it the thumb surfers chip... a new set of favorite channels every half hour, banning the infomercials and other dreck.

[streetstealth @ Feb 24th 2006 1:35PM]

New, more specific ratings, eh?

The following program hasbeen rated TV14-ASPNMV. Press the V button on your remote for more info.

[press... the following appears on screen]

AS - Adult situations containing some kinda sexy moves. And that one chick... dayumn.

PN - Partial nudity comes within 1/4 inch of a nipple. We measured based on geometric interpolation. It's that one chick again.

MV - Mild violence with just a few gun battles or something. We didn't really pay attention. Not like it really matters, right?

[matt Baker @ Feb 24th 2006 1:48PM]

Each version will be named differently, with "V" at the front.

I personally await version 6, V'GER. It can tell the difference between differing types of carbon units and can operate in space. Plus there's a naked bald women inside each one.