FCC Requires All Imported TVs/VCRs, Etc. to Have Digital Tuners Effective March 1, 2007
The Federal Communications Commission implemented the final phase of its requirement that all televisions or TV devices with tuners (VCRs, video recorders, etc.) imported or sold across state lines in the U.S. on or after March 1, 2007 have a digital tuner (known as an ATSC tuner).
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
According to the FCC, the regulations forcing conversion to a digital television system are part of its effort to free up more radio spectrum and will also enable High Definition TV.
Imports and Cross-State Sales of Analog-Only TVs and TV Devices Banned
The FCC banned imports of TVs and TV devices without digital tuners (e.g., TVs with analog (NTSC) tuners only), effective March 1, 2007 and banned sales across state lines, including Internet and catalog sales. Retailers may, however, ship analog-only TVs and TV devices within state warehouses to retail in order to clear inventory.
(In a Second Report and Order (FCC 05-190), the FCC modified its 2002 final rule that had only required larger TVs to include digital tuners, by removing the exception for TVs with less than 13" diagonals and by advancing the date of compliance for all sizes of TVs and other TV devices with tuners to March 1, 2007 (from July 1, 2007).
The FCC notes that it decided to make smaller sets compatible with the new digital TV (DTV)1 broadcast system because in emergencies, small and battery powered TVs are a vital source of information.)
Retailer Disclosure of Non Digital TVs and TV Devices at Point of Sale Required
Because the FCC is not prohibiting the sale of analog-only TVs and TV devices from inventory, it is requiring retailers and other sellers who choose to continue selling these items to display a sign or label disclosing that such items will not be able to receive over-the-air broadcasting after February 17, 2009.
Consumer Options After February 17, 2009
Consumers using analog-only TVs and TV devices will only be able to receive an over-the-air broadcasting signal after February 17, 2009 if they get a digital TV, get a box to convert the digital signals to analog, or subscribe to pay TV services.
1FCC defines DTV as the umbrella term encompassing High-definition Television and several other applications, including Standard Definition Television, datacasting, multicasting and interactivity.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/29/04 news, 04072915, for BP summary of the first phase of FCC's plan to require DTV Tuners)
FCC Frequently Asked Questions/Answers - Digital TV, available at http://www.bvcpselectrical.co.uk/fcc-faq-digital-tv.html
FCC press release on required disclosure of analog-only TV sales, dated 04/25/07, available athttp://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-272656A1.pdf
FCC Information Collection notice, FR Pub 05/10/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-2318.pdf