CLOSED CAPTION DECODERS

"Closed" captions can only be seen on TVs equipped with telecaption decoders. Since 1994, all 19" or larger color TVs must be equipped with built in decoders. For older TVs, a closed caption adapter is available.

Closed captions are the dialogue and sound effects of a TV program or video printed on the screen, similar to subtitles. The captions only can be seen when the TV's decoder is activated or an adapter is connected to the TV, and the program has been close captioned.

"Open" captioning is done when the text is imprinted on a video tape. This eliminates the need for a decoder since the text is visible at all times. This method is used for such things as training or informational tapes used in business or educational settings.

Because of the availability of Closed Caption decoders in today's TVs, the only closed caption decoders we have available  are the "Parental Monitor" devices that allow filters on programs not suitable for children, or that filter out undesirable language, also have decoding capabilities. We have two of those available. A chart comparing the features of each type of device is shown below. 

NOTE: Neither of these devices has a tuner. They must be installed between the TV and a video source that can select the channel such as a VCR, cable box, or satellite receiver.

	V-gris DV-1		TV Guardian
Part No.	USS-DV-1	USS-DV-1-AV	TV-GUARDIAN-201	TV-GUARDIAN-301
Price	$120.00	$159.00	$99.00	$79.00
Hook-up	RF (cable connection) out from VCR, cable box or satellite receiver to the decoder - RF from decoder to TV. No RCA connections at all.	RCA composite out from VCR, cable box or satellite receiver to the decoder - RCA from decoder to TV or monitor.	Two Inputs Includes: HiFi Stereo (RCA L/R) Composite Video (RCA, Digital Coaxial (RF) or S-Video Output: HiFi Stereo and Composite Video (RCA, Digital Coaxial (RF), or S-Video	One Input Includes: HiFi Stereo (RCA L/R) Composite Video (RCA, Digital Coaxial (audio) or S-Video Output: HiFi Stereo and Composite Video (RCA, Digital Coaxial (audio), or S-Video
ON/OFF	Remote control to activate decoder as well as set parental filters		Buttons on front of unit to turn captions Off / On Normal / On and Filtered. Filtered setting replaces bad language with other words (eg: S---- becomes Crud.)
Display	White letters on black background		Transparent background
Parental Monitor	Can be programmed to block out programs by TV rating codes, specific show content like language, sexual situations, violence and dialogue. Reads both TV codes and MPAA (movie) codes. Programmed with remote and PIN number for security. Can be used as decoder only with or without filtering.		Buttons on front with on screen menu display for filter on language - 2 settings for audio: 1) Filters out swear words and replaces them with another word 2)Filters out references to God or Jesus as well as bad language. Can be used as decoder only with or without text filtering.
Caption Options	CC1-4 and Text1-4		CC1
Other Features	English and Spanish instructions. Has an infrared interface on a cord that receives from the remote so the decoder can be placed behind the TV if necessary.		Has built in RF Modulator	Has No RF Modulater