Recommended Actions for Closed Captioning Problems

Editor: Those who have begun the transition to digital television have been reporting lots of captioning problems, and good solutions for many of them have not yet been developed. The FCC has published a brochure that addresses these issues, and the folks at NVRC have added their comments.

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Check out the Consumer News publication from the Federal Communications Commission that is now available: "The Digital TV Transition is Coming -- Make Sure You Are Ready."

Page 5 contains this information:

If you experience problems with closed captions, the FCC recommends taking the following actions:

* If you are using a digital-to-analog converter box with an analog TV set that was manufactured after June 1993 and is 13 inches or larger and no captions are visible, contact the manufacturer of the converter box.

* If you see a double row of overlapping captions, it may mean that captions are being generated by both the TV and your digital-to-analog converter box or set-top box. Turn off the closed captioning function either on the television or on the box.

* If captions are visible on one channel, but not on another channel, this is most likely related to the programming provider. You should contact the television station whose programming does not have captions. The FCC's rules require that most television programming be captioned. If the problem continues, contact the FCC at the number or email address provided below.

* Questions about closed captioning issues also may be sent to the FCC's dedicated closed captioning email inbox at closedcaptioning@fcc.gov <mailto:closedcaptioning@fcc.gov> .

* You can also get more information by reading the FCC's consumer fact sheets, including the following: Closed Captioning and Pay Television Services at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvcaptions.html <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvcaptions.html> and Closed Captioning and Digital to Analog Converter Boxes for Viewing Free Over-the-Air Programming on Analog Televisions at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/CC_converters.html <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/CC_converters.html> .

The FCC is committed to monitoring compliance with its rules and assisting consumers through the DTV transition. With some preparation, all Americans can enjoy the benefits of the DTV transition.

For more information about the DTV transition generally, call us at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or by TTY at 1-888-835-5322, email us at DTVinfo@fcc.gov <mailto:DTVinfo@fcc.gov> , or visit our DTV website at www.dtv.gov <http://www.dtv.gov/> . FCC consumer advisories and informational materials about the DTV transition are also available in large print, Braille, and on audio disc.

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Another Resource - TV Station Info

To find the contact address for TV stations to inform them of complaints about TV captioning: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/mailaddr.html

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