Sec.  76.1622   Consumer education program on compatibility.

   Cable  system  operators shall provide a consumer education program on
   compatibility matters to their subscribers in writing, as follows:

   (a) The consumer information program shall be provided to subscribers at the
   time  they  first subscribe and at least once a year thereafter. Cable
   operators may choose the time and means by which they comply with the annual
   consumer information requirement. This requirement may be satisfied by a
   once-a-year mailing to all subscribers. The information may be included in
   one of the cable system's regular subscriber billings.

   (b)  The  consumer  information  program  shall  include the following
   information:

   (1) Cable system operators shall inform their subscribers that some models
   of TV receivers and videocassette recorders may not be able to receive all
   of the channels offered by the cable system when connected directly to the
   cable system. In conjunction with this information, cable system operators
   shall briefly explain, the types of channel compatibility problems that
   could occur if subscribers connected their equipment directly to the cable
   system and offer suggestions for resolving those problems. Such suggestions
   could include, for example, the use of a cable system terminal device such
   as a set-top channel converter. Cable system operators shall also indicate
   that channel compatibility problems associated with reception of programming
   that is not scrambled or encrypted programming could be resolved through use
   of simple converter devices without descrambling or decryption capabilities
   that can be obtained from either the cable system or a third party retail
   vendor.

   (2) In cases where service is received through a cable system terminal
   device, cable system operators shall indicate that subscribers may not be
   able  to  use special features and functions of their TV receivers and
   videocassette recorders, including features that allow the subscriber to:
   view a program on one channel while simultaneously recording a program on
   another channel; record two or more consecutive programs that appear on
   different  channels;  and, use advanced picture generation and display
   features such as “Picture-in-Picture,” channel review and other functions
   that necessitate channel selection by the consumer device.

   (3) In cases where cable system operators offer remote control capability
   with cable system terminal devices and other customer premises equipment
   that is provided to subscribers, they shall advise their subscribers that
   remote control units that are compatible with that equipment may be obtained
   from other sources, such as retail outlets. Cable system operators shall
   also provide a representative list of the models of remote control units
   currently available from retailers that are compatible with the customer
   premises equipment they employ. Cable system operators are required to make
   a  good faith effort in compiling this list and will not be liable for
   inadvertent omissions. This list shall be current as of no more than six
   months before the date the consumer education program is distributed to
   subscribers. Cable operators are also required to encourage subscribers to
   contact the cable operator to inquire about whether a particular remote
   control unit the subscriber might be considering for purchase would be
   compatible with the subscriber's customer premises equipment.

Subpart U—Documents to be Maintained for Inspection

   Source:    65 FR 53621 , Sept. 5, 2000, unless otherwise noted.