52Chapter 4. TV Menu Operations
U.S. V-Chip Ratings
V-Chip Signal Information
When provided by the broadcaster, V-Chip ratings can be used to control which programs can be viewed or will be blocked. When V-Chip ratings are sent, you will see the ratings when you change the channel or when you press the INFO button on the remote control. Both TV and Movie ratings will display. TV ratings apply to programs and movies developed for TV and may have supplemental blocking by content categories. Movie ratings use MPAA ratings for movies released in theaters.
V-CHIP EXCEPTIONS:
1.V-Chip is not effective for programs viewed on devices connected to component inputs or HDMI. Many of these devices, however, have their own parental control systems.
2.Videotapes, laser discs and DVDs may not contain V-Chip rating signals. If they don’t contain the V-Chip signal, V-Chip cannot block the program or movie.
3.Broadcasters are not currently required to include V-Chip rating signals at this time. If the broadcaster does not include the V-Chip rating signal, V-Chip cannot block the program.
TV Ratings:
Used with TV programs and Made-for-TV movies. TV-YYouth, for children under the age of 7. TV-Y7Youth, 7 years old and older.
TV-GGeneral Audience. For the entire family to view.
TV-PGParental Guidance. Parental Guidance is recommended, may not be suitable for some children.
TV-14Adolescent 14 years old and older. Not recommended for children under the age of 14.
TV-MAMature Audience. For adults only.
Content Categories:
TV Rating | FV | D | L | S | V |
| | | | | |
TV-Y | | | | | |
TV-Y7 | X | | | | |
TV-PG | | X | X | X | X |
TV-14 | | X | X | X | X |
TV-MA | | | X | X | X |
Used in association with the TV ratings above.
FV Fantasy Violence—applies to TV-Y7 only.
DSexual Dialog—applies in different degrees to TV-PG and TV-14.
LAdult Language—applies in different degrees to TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA. S Sexual Situations—applies in different degrees to TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA
V Violence (graphic or realistic)—applies in different degrees to TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA.
When you select a TV rating, you are selecting the least-restrictive program level that can be viewed. For example, if you select TV-PG, you are allowing programs rated TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G and TV-PG to be seen and blocking programs rated TV-14 and TV-MA. When you select a TV Content category, you will block all TV pro- grams that have the same content category listing. For example, if you select to block V (Violence) at the TV-14 level, you will also block any program that has the V category listing at the TV-PG rating level as well.
Movie Ratings:
Used with theater released movies and direct-to-video movies.
GGeneral Audience—Designed for the entire family to view.
PG Parental Guidance—Parental Guidance is recommended, may not be suitable for some children. PG-13Parental Guidance 13 years old and older—Not recommended for children under the age of 13.
RRestricted—Restricted in the theater to 17 years old and older unless accompanied by an adult. NC-17No Children 17 or under—Restricted in theater to 18 years old and older.
X Adult—Designed for and restricted in the theater to adult audiences only.
When you select a movie rating, you are selecting the least-restrictive program level that can be viewed. For example, if you select a movie rating of PG-13, you are allowing movies rated G, PG and PG-13 to be seen and blocking movies rated R, NC-17, and X.
Programs Not Rated: Used for programs that are not rated, such as news, sports, weather, emergency bulletins, or movies prior to or without MPAA Ratings. This does not include programs without V-Chip signals.
IMPORTANT
If you elect to block programs that carry the V‑Chip rating “Programs Not Rated,” you may block news or emergency bulletins, when “None” or “NR” Not Rated V-Chip rating is included. Use care when blocking programming that is not rated.