TM  The Foul Language Filter

Q: Why does TVGuardian® mute the phrase instead of just the profane word?
TVGuardian® mutes the entire offensive phrase instead of just the word and displays the modified text, by design. It's too easy to fill in the blanks in your mind when only a single word is muted. Displaying the profanity free text version of the muted phrase makes your eyes focus on the text instead of the lips. The TVGuardian® method makes it more difficult to know what word caused the mute.

Q: Does my TV need a closed-caption decoder for TVGuardian® to work?
No. TVGuardian has everything it needs to filter out offensive language. As a matter of fact, TVGuardian can be used as a stand alone closed caption decoder.

Q: What does Closed Captioned mean?
The closed captioned signal is a hidden text signal that is embedded in the video signal of most broadcast television programs and DVD and VHS movies, and is made available for the hearing impaired. A closed caption decoder is required to view this text.

Q: Is the closed-captioned text displayed all the time?
Actually, TVGuardian® has three (3) CC settings for your convenience.
ON ALWAYS displays continuous closed-caption text. When the filter function is on and an offensive word/phrase is detected, TVGuardian will mute the audio and replace the text with a more appropriate text phrase.
ON MUTE displays the edited text on your television screen only when TVGuardian® has detected and muted an offensive phrase.
The third setting turns off the display of closed-caption text.

Q: How do I connect TVGuardian®?
Bring your cable or satellite into the receiver or VCR. Connect the VCR output to the TVGuardian input. Connect the TVGuardian output to your television input. Please see the manual for more detailed instruction. NOTE: TVGuardian® will not work with TV/VCR or TV/DVD combination units.

Q: What inputs and outputs are available on TVGuardian®?
TVGuardian Model 201 supports two inputs including S-Video, Composite Video, Analog Audio, Digital Coaxial Audio, and Optical Digital Audio. Model 201's output includes S-Video, Composite Video, Analog Audio, Digital Coaxial Audio, Optical Digital Audio as well as the optional RF output. TVGuardian 101 supports one input: Composite Video and Analog Audio. Output includes Composite Video, Analog Audio, as well as the optional RF output. For s-video interconnections you need to purchase two (2) "S-video to 2 RCA" cable harnesses from http://www.svideo.com/svideo2rca.html and an RCA Coupler. The Couple can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Radio Shack and many other retailers.

Q: How can I connect my DVD Player and VCR to TVGuardian®?
TVGuardian Model 201 has two inputs available. Simply connect one device to Input 1 and the other device to Input 2. There is no need for Audio/Video Switch Box unless your system has more than two devices. TVGuardian 101 has a single input. To use multiple devices without having to disconnect one to use the other, you will need to purchase an Audio/Video Switch Box. This will allow you to switch between multiple sources (DVD Player, VCR, etc.) by pushing a button. An Audio/Video Switch Box can be found at most electronics stores.

Q: Does TVGuardian® work with all TV Shows, Videos and DVDs?
TVGuardian works with virtually all pre-scripted TV shows and DVD and VHS videos. TVGuardian will not work with live programs, such as news, sporting events, talk shows, and day time dramas.

Q: Does TVGuardian® work with TV/VCR or TV/DVD Combo units?
No. TVGuardian must be able to read the closed captioned signal before it reaches the TV. This is not possible with the TV/VCR or TV/DVD Combo units.

Q: Does TVGuardian® work with DVD Players?
TVG® works with most DVD players. If your DVD player is equipped with "Progressive Scan," you must turn this function off for TVG® to work properly. Progressive Scan has been discovered to strip the closed captioned signal from the video signal, therefore rendering TVGuardian® ineffective.

Q: Does TVGuardian® work with all DVD Movies?
TVGuardian works with most original DVD movies. However, some companies do not put closed captioning on all of their DVDs. Please look for one of these Closed Captioned symbols on the back of the DVD case:

Q: Does it support HiFi Stereo and/or surround sound?
TVGuardian® Model 201 will mute all digital audio formats. However, there may be a slight delay when the digital audio is unmuted. If your surround sound amplifier causes an excessive delay that is bothersome, you may want to use an analog audio connection. Your TVGuardian Model 201® set top box will not selectively mute the center channel. TVGuardian 101 supports HiFi Stereo and ProLogic surround sound with DVD Players, VCRs, and TV. However, it only supports Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound with the following connections:

DVD Players with a Dolby Digital 5.1 processor built-in.
The DVD Players center channel output can be connected to TVGuardian's Right audio input. TVG's Right audio output should be connected to the surround sound receiver's center channel input. Virtually all of the voice track comes through the center channel. TVGuardian will mute the dialog when offensive language is detected, and the background audio will remain untouched.
DVD Players with a coaxial digital output
Connect the coaxial digital output from the DVD Player to TVGuardian's Right audio input. TVG's Right audio output should be connected to the surround sound receivers coaxial digital input

Q: Does TVGuardian® filter 'god' when used as an expletive?
TVGuardian 101 - When in both Strict and Moderate filter settings, TVGuardian attempts to filter all vulgar or profane uses of 'god'. In the Strict filter setting, TVG also filters vain and expletive references to God, Jesus, and Christ. The Moderate filter setting allows most uses of God, Jesus, and Christ except for the obvious offensive uses. TVGuardian Model 201 - When the Religious wordset is turned on, TVGuardian filters all vain references to diety. To watch a religious program, you may want to turn this wordset off.

Q: Why doesn't TVGuardian® detect every offensive word?
The program you are watching is either not closed captioned or the captioning is not synchronized with the audio (live TV, news, sports, talk shows, daytime dramas using roll-up style of captioning). You may either switch the channel and then switch it back to the original program, or turn off your VCR/Cable Box and then turn it back on again.
The program is being filtered, but there are captioning errors (words left out, misspelled, not synchronized with the audio, or the closed captioning is corrupt).
The word is not in the TVG® dictionary.
The TVG Mode is not on a strict enough setting.

Q: How is TVGuardian® different from the V-Chip?
The V-Chip is an automated on/off switch. It is based on a ratings system that is broadcast with the television signal. If a program's rating exceeds the allowed rating set by the parents, the V-Chip blocks the entire program. Since the V-Chip is based on the broadcast ratings system, it does not work on movies played on a VCR or DVD. TVGuardian fills a void left by the V-Chip. Most parents who do not want their children to watch a certain program will simply not allow it. Other programs, however, may be suitable for children, except for the language. TVGuardian solves this problem. And since it reads the CC signal, it will work on most movies played on your own DVD player or VCR. 

Movies show the same trend with an average PG movie containing more than 15 obscenities.  Words once only heard in R-rated movies are now commonplace in movies rated PG and PG-13 that our kids want to see.

TVGuardian references each word against an internal directory of over 100 offensive words and phrases.  If a word in the directory is detected, the audio is muted.  TVGuardian also removes the offensive word or phrase from the closed-caption signal and replaces it with a profanity-free version.

Each TVGuardian has three filter settings: Off, Moderate Mode, and Strict Mode.  The unit also has three closed caption options: Off, Display Text During Mute Only, and Full Closed-Captioning.

Non-filtered words usually are caused by errors in the closed-captioning.  It does not function with live programming, such as sporting events, live news coverage and talk shows.

However, TVGuardian will tell you if it is filtering the language by displaying the symbol TVG or No TVG on the television screen for two seconds at the start of the program.  This will also occur if the channel is changed.

"We watched an R-rated movie and it took it down to what I would call a PG movie.  We were really impressed with it."
Salt Lake City Deseret News - "TVGuardian can filter out cussing and foul words"
by Kristen Sonne, June 3, 1998

"This is very innovative.  This is probably more valid than the V-chip..."
The Kansas City Star - Front Page - "Device for TV helps civilize rude language"
by Eric Palmer, March 5, 1998

*Parents Television Council