Self-censoring upconverting DVD player filters inappropriate content
Summary: Parental controls take on a new meaning with the ClearPlay UpConvert HDMI DVD Player, which offers downloadable filters that can block objectionable content while a disc is playing. For instance, if you want to control how much sex and violence your kids see in a particular flick, you adjust the filtering levels (from No Filtering to Most Filtering) via the on-screen interface (shown below).
Parental controls take on a new meaning with the ClearPlay UpConvert HDMI DVD Player, which offers downloadable filters that can block objectionable content while a disc is playing. For instance, if you want to control how much sex and violence your kids see in a particular flick, you adjust the filtering levels (from No Filtering to Most Filtering) via the on-screen interface (shown below). The player then skips past the "bad" scenes or mutes cuss words.
The player made a splash a couple of years ago when it was sold at Target and Best Buy, but disappeared when a patent dispute landed ClearPlay in litigation. The device is on back order for $119.99 on the ClearPlay site, but is in stock for $99.95 at SewellDirect.com.
Filters are up to date on the Utah-based (of course) company's site, and are transferred via a ClearPlay FilterStick (a.k.a. a branded USB thumb drive, though any thumb drive will do), which you then connect to the player. You can request a filter for movies that aren't on the ClearPlay list, though I imagine it wouldn't necessarily be worth it for them to create a filter if you're the only one requesting it.
ClearPlay markets the device as something for "cool" parents who want to show R-rated movies to their kids without the R-rated parts—in other words, the parts that kids think are cool. And the parents who would probably buy a filtering DVD player probably won't want their kids to know such movies exist, much less watch them.
But maybe I'm wrong. Would you buy a content-filtering DVD player to protect your kids? Let us know in the TalkBack section.
[Via Engadget]
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Talkback
Why not?
I'm in for a kick-a$$ music without me having to do some skipping. :)
Strange priorities
Americans are indeed a peculiar bunch.
ClearPlay is AWESOME!!
is SO VALUABLE! There are so many PG, PG-13 and even G
movies that have unnecessary "trash" in them. ClearPlay
enables us to truly enjoy movies without having to fast-
forward or mute. Most of the time you don't even realize
it skipped a scene! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this product!
"Most of the time..."
Any movie in which skipping a scene is unnoticeable is probably a movie that's so poorly made (like most) that it wouldn't be worth watching even if it didn't contain material you objected to.
Debateable
Tomatoes) on a Clearplay skips the scene at the
beginning with the lewd pictures and it's not
apparent to the viewer that it occurred (I
didn't know it'd skipped a scene until somebody
else informed me).
There's more, but that's the only specific
example that comes to mind right now. My wife
doesn't like watching movies rated R so we used
to own a Clearplay to filter out the stuff she
doesn't like and we were able to enjoy lots of
movies (and suffer through some horrible ones
too)
Not just for KIDS!
I agree
RE: Self-censoring upcoverting DVD player filters inappropriate content
I was wondering when these would come out...
I'm ordering one today
Yes! Finally!
Sounds like the writer doesn't like the idea.. I guess you have to get past puberty before profane language becomes offensive.
What about personal attacks?
too?
As long as some people have a choice to do this...
And i guess...
Abuse...
Yeah, that is what they said about Hitler...
Words have their impact, and being exposed to excessive profanity will desensitize the listener.
What you get is someone who uses the F-bomb as a noun, adjective, adverb and verb. Not the kind of conditioning that you want for your kids, regardless of your faith.
If words and impressions have no impact, you should tell Madison Avenue. They know different.
So how do you stop it?
Some people just aren't going to cooperate on what you (or me) think they way things should be.
RE: Self-censoring upcoverting DVD player filters inappropriate content
I would say the old unit I have was a bit flaky and have had it replaced once. On the plus side, I found their customer service to be exceptional.
I find profanity offensive and easy to pick up, especially by kids. There are quite a few movies that have very little foul language, but place it prominently. MIB is an examble, the first word spoken is profanity, spoken loudly and all by itself. This device is great for that type of thing.
I think of many more good movies that throw in one sex scene or a bit of profanity that is just totally unnecessary and does nothing to progress the plot. It is there just to get a harsher rating or for run during commercials to get the teens in the door.
This actually was technology that was promised with DVD's. The ability to have a G/PG rated version along with the released PG-13/R rated version of a movie.
I got a ClearPlay player
RE: Self-censoring upcoverting DVD player filters inappropriate content