FCC moves digital deadline for small TVs

Every new television set, including the smallest portables sold in the United States after March 1, 2007, must have a tuner capable of receiving digital broadcasts, the FCC ruled last week. The date is four months earlier than previously mandated.

The previous digital tuner deadline was July 1, 2007, and it exempted sets 13in and smaller. The FCC said it removed the exemption because portable, battery-powered TVs proved important for "enabling the reception of news and public-safety information in times of emergency."

Already all new television sets sold in the United States that have screens 36in or larger must be capable of receiving digital broadcasts.

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