New TV sets in the US include a V-chip which makes the screen go blank if a
violence rating is exceeded. The V codes are transmitted with subtitle data for
the deaf. But the system doesn鈥檛 work in Europe, where teletext has no space for
extra codes. Now Philips is patenting (W0 98/36568) a device that will work: it
piggybacks on the system that makes TVs switch to widescreen format when a
widescreen programme is broadcast. The widescreen signals have room for an extra
2-bit code: 00 for zero violence, 01 for low violence, 10 for medium violence
and 11 for highly violent programmes and movies.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
AI could offer a shortcut for designing more efficient airplane wings
News
Technology
Feeding our books into generative AI risks creating a cultural void
91色情片
Technology
Quantum computing may be facing a replication crisis
News
Technology
Rogue hacking AIs have changed the cybersecurity landscape
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles