Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 106 Part 2.djvu/612

 106 STAT. 1492 PUBLIC LAW 102-385—OCT. 5, 1992 cable systems in the manner in which they encrypt or scramble signals, except that the Commission shall not limit the use of scrambling or encryption technology where the use of such technology does not interfere with the functions of subscribers' television receivers or video cassette recorders, "(c) RULEMAKING REQUIREMENTS.— "(1) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED. — In prescribing the regulations required by this section, the Commission shall consider— "(A) the costs and benefits to consumers of imposing compatibility requirements on cable operators and television manufacturers in a manner that, while providing effective protection against theft or unauthorized reception of cable service, will minimize interference with or nullification of the special fimctions of subscribers' television receivers or video cassette recorders, including functions that permit the subscriber— "(i) to watch a program on one channel while simultaneously using a video cassette recorder to tape a program on another channel; "(ii) to use a video cassette recorder to tape two consecutive programs that appear on different channels; and "(iii) to use advanced television picture generation and display features; and "(B) the need for cable operators to protect the integrity of the signals transmitted by the cable operator against theft or to protect such signals against imauthorized reception. "(2) REGULATIONS REQUIRED. —The regulations prescribed by the Commission under this section shall include such regulations as are necessary— a television receiver or video cassette recorder must comply in order to be sold as 'cable compatible' or 'cable ready*; "(B) to require cable operators offering channels whose reception requires a converter box— "(i) to notify subscribers that they may be unable to benefit from the special fimctions of their television receivers and video cassette recorders, including fimctions that permit subscribers— "(I) to watch a program on one channel while simultaneously using a video cassette recorder to tape a program on another channel; "(II) to use a video cassette recorder to tape two consecutive programs that appear on different channels; and "(III) to use advanced television picture generation and display features; and "(ii) to the extent technically and economically feasible, to offer subscribers the option of having all other channels delivered directly to the subscribers* television receivers or video cassette recorders without passing through the converter box; "(C) to promote the commercial availability,fromcable operators and retail vendors that are not affiliated with
 * XA) to specify the technical requirements with which

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