FCC Implements CALM Act, Lowers Volume of Commericals

Loud TV commercials could one day soon become a thing of the past as the FCC Dec. 13 moved to implement the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act.  The new rules, adopted at the agency’s monthly open meeting, require commercials to have the same average volume as the programs they accompany.

The rules, which cover OTA TV broadcasters, cable operators and satellite TV providers, set up a method for stations and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) to demonstrate compliance without placing upon them an unnecessary burden, the agency said.

Broadcasters and MVPDs have until Dec. 13, 2012, one year after rule implementation, to come into full compliance. In a press statement, the commission said the year also provides “ample time” for programmers and networks to provide their distributors with certification that the commercials accompanying programming comply with the rules.

Although not mandatory, the certification will make the safe harbor process for broadcasters and MVPDs easier, the commission said.

Sharing the Same Pipe

HDBaseT hits the cable companies...

http://www.systemscontractor.com/article/66382.aspx

25 Million Poor to Get Cheap Computers, $9.95 Internet Service

What was originally supposed to be a "bring broadband to rural areas" morphed into a subsidized computer and internet service by the FCC.   Windows 7 to the masses...

"The Federal Communications Commission is launching a $4-billion program to narrow the digital divide by making high-speed Internet access and computers more affordable for more than 25 million mainly low-income Americans.


Those who qualify would pay $9.95 a month for Internet access at 1 megabit per second and $150 for a refurbished laptop running the Windows 7 operating system, along with applications that include digital literacy training.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fcc-broadband-20111109,0,7709028.story

Google Finally Figures Something Out

After losing 8 percent market share to Bing over the last year, Google is trying to update its core search engine....

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/google-changes-search-algorithm-trying-to-make-results-more-timely/?hp

Panasonic Cuts Plasma Output

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/10/panasonic-jobs-plasma-tv.html

Einstein was Wrong?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903703604576588422968704078.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop