RCA MR14400, MR20400 manual Setting TV Guidelines and Movie Ratings, Graphic violence

Menus & Features

Setting TV Guidelines and Movie Ratings

The first four choices in the Parental Controls menu involve software inside your TV (dubbed V- Chip) which allows you to block TV programs and movies based on violence, sex, or other content you may believe children should not view. In other words, it lets you program your TV so it will not display certain programs. Once you block programs, you or other adults are not limited to only parent-approved programs; you can unblock programs by entering a password.

NOTE: These four software functions may not work on your TV because the features depend upon special additions to the broadcast signal, which may not be available in your area. The parental control feature comes turned “Off,” so if you choose not to implement it, you can just ignore it.

When Parental Control is turned On, the software reads a code that most broadcasters send with programs. That code tells the software the program’s age-based rating (TV-MA, TV-14, etc.) and content themes (Violence (V), Adult Language (L), etc.). If you have blocked the rating and/or content themes that the program contains, you will receive the message, “This rating is blocked.” when you turn to that particular channel. Broadcasters are not required to provide content themes, so programs received with no content themes will only be blocked if you block their age-based rating. You can also block out programs that have been given a rating of “Not Rated,” and programs that are considered “unrated” because no code has been sent by the broadcaster.

The TV age-based ratings and content themes you can block are listed in the table below.

Age-Based	Description and Content Themes for Age-Based Ratings
Rating
	Mature Audience Only. Specifically designed to be viewed by adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. It
TV-MA	contains one or more of the following content themes: crude indecent language (L), explicit sexual activity (S), or
	graphic violence (V).
	Parents Strongly Cautioned. Contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14.
TV-14	Parents are strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children
	under the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains one or more of the following content themes: intensely
	suggestive dialogue (D), strong coarse language (L), intense sexual situations (S), or intense violence (V).
	Parental Guidance Suggested. Contains material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. Many parents
TV-PG	may want to watch it with their younger children. The program contains one or more of the following content themes:
	some suggestive dialogue (D), infrequent coarse language (L), some sexual situations (S), or moderate
	violence (V).
TV-G	General Audience. Most parents would find this program suitable for all ages. It contains little or no sexual dialogue
	(D), no strong language (L), or sexual situations (S), and little or no violence (V).
	Directed to Children 7 years and older. Designed for children ages 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for
TV-Y7	children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes
	and elements in this program may include mild fantasy violence (FV) or comedic violence, or may frighten children
	under the age of 7.
TV-Y	All Children. Themes and elements in this program are designed for a young audience, including children from ages 2-
	6. It is not expected to frighten younger children.

Chapter 2 23