FCC Regulations on flashing graphics on television

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I've discussed the matter with commissioner Adelstein and he thinks it would be a fine idea. Anyone have any opinions on this matter? I don't think these sorts of things only effect those of us with epilepsy. Those with Chronic Fatigue and it's variants surely are bothered by this, especially since most who have such problems usually spend hours in front of the tube or computer screen to pass time.

Comments

Then tell us how to get

Submitted by anncares7 on Fri, 2019-04-19 - 11:35

Then tell us how to get started. My daughter has epilepsy & I get migraines. These commercials have no consideration for this and I'm sick of it! They need to get sued so it will stop hurting us!

Re: FCC Regulations on flashing graphics on television

Submitted by Spytalk on Tue, 2008-11-18 - 22:14

I am an engineer and have always been concerned and offended by television broadcasts that 'flash' the screen, strobe the screen, and otherwise cause rapid sharp contrast alternating images on the screen. I have over twenty years' experience with sensory perception and human factors.

A person brings up a good point, how is 'flashing the screen' defined? Nevertheless, the need for definition does not cancel out the need for regulation. Television reproduces images at 30 frames per second interlaced. A good starting point would be: "Of any given thirty consecutive frames, no one frame shall deviate in average pixel content more than fourty percent from any previous or next frame in a contiguous series." Software can easily automate and measure such things.

(1) If the FCC is not going to regulate "flashing" of the television screen, then the FCC should mandate that warnings be placed on the screen by networks prior to the broadcast of any content that would "flash" the screen. Not any different than mandating warnings that material is unsuitable for minors prior to a movie etc.

(2) Consumer electronics manufacturers should produce features and devices that can and will measure the "flashing" thresholds of tv broadcasts and either block them or alert viewers. The right software/firmware could easily automate this.

(3) Evenly-spaced image flashing DOES NOT OCCUR in nature. Even a row of trees with sunlight passing through is somewhat randomized by the various and differing spacing of trees and tree branches. In contrast, a picket fence is man-made and evenly spaced.

Lack of good content and the push for marketing hype has led to television broadcasts that either strobe the screen or change the 'view' every 1.5 seconds in as much as 45 'view changes' per minute with some shows such as 'Dancing With The Stars'. It's brain-bombardment and the human brain cannot fully process an 'image' before the next image is broadcast in succession.

Most of the time the tv content is designed to SURPRISE the viewer with either strobe effects or rapidly changing images.

It is not natural. I suspect that yet undiscovered effects of rapidly changing images are yet to be known.

It should be regulated.

I am an engineer and have always been concerned and offended by television broadcasts that 'flash' the screen, strobe the screen, and otherwise cause rapid sharp contrast alternating images on the screen. I have over twenty years' experience with sensory perception and human factors. A person brings up a good point, how is 'flashing the screen' defined? Nevertheless, the need for definition does not cancel out the need for regulation. Television reproduces images at 30 frames per second interlaced. A good starting point would be: "Of any given thirty consecutive frames, no one frame shall deviate in average pixel content more than fourty percent from any previous or next frame in a contiguous series." Software can easily automate and measure such things. (1) If the FCC is not going to regulate "flashing" of the television screen, then the FCC should mandate that warnings be placed on the screen by networks prior to the broadcast of any content that would "flash" the screen. Not any different than mandating warnings that material is unsuitable for minors prior to a movie etc. (2) Consumer electronics manufacturers should produce features and devices that can and will measure the "flashing" thresholds of tv broadcasts and either block them or alert viewers. The right software/firmware could easily automate this. (3) Evenly-spaced image flashing DOES NOT OCCUR in nature. Even a row of trees with sunlight passing through is somewhat randomized by the various and differing spacing of trees and tree branches. In contrast, a picket fence is man-made and evenly spaced. Lack of good content and the push for marketing hype has led to television broadcasts that either strobe the screen or change the 'view' every 1.5 seconds in as much as 45 'view changes' per minute with some shows such as 'Dancing With The Stars'. It's brain-bombardment and the human brain cannot fully process an 'image' before the next image is broadcast in succession. Most of the time the tv content is designed to SURPRISE the viewer with either strobe effects or rapidly changing images. It is not natural. I suspect that yet undiscovered effects of rapidly changing images are yet to be known. It should be regulated.    