TV Guardian Model 201 Foul Language Filter

Other products by TVG TV Guardian

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1 x 8 inches ; 2.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• ASIN: B000ALFCCU
• Item model number: 201
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,468 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 25, 2005

Product Description

Product Description
TVGuardian uses TVG patented technology from Principal Solutions Inc. to decode and monitor the hidden closed-caption text which is made available for the hearing impaired. Each word is checked against a dictionary of more than 150 offensive words and phrases. When a foul word or phrase is detected, TVGuardian automatically mutes the offensive language. You can even set TVG to show you the silenced phrase in test form, but without the offensive words. Multiple Filter settings, three closed caption settings, accuracy up to 100%, Limited Warranty, 2 Inputs and One Output allow connection of a DVD or VCR in addition to cable or antenna inputs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The TV/DVD/VCR Cursing Filter. Thank Goodness!!, August 27, 2005

By	RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Five Big "NON-Cursing" Stars!! TV Guardian is wonderful technology, but with some hookup limitations!

If you're tired of the incessant and unnecessary cursing on TV shows and DVD/VCR movies, this is a great gift for yourself and your family. It shuts down the cursing and specific foul language on any show that has a written closed caption track inbedded in the TV show, VCR, or DVD movie soundtracks. In my case, I have it set to detect any curse word or phrase, briefly mute the sound, and put up a bland written substitute word or phrase on the bottom of the screen so that continuty is maintained, and then restore the sound track immediately following the phrase. It works amazingly well. We have a TV Guardian on all three of our TV sets and we love them. It takes about a week to get used to it and it's clear sailing from then on. If a TV show, VCR or DVD movie doesn't have a caption track, it flashes a "No TVG" on the lower left hand corner of the screen to warn you that "you're on your own" with this show. If it does contain a caption track, it occasionally flashes a "TVG" in the left hand lower corner just to reassure the viewers that it's on the job.

It operates on three levels of filtering: "Tolerant, Moderate, or Strict" and it uses three large groups of targeted words: Religious, Sexual, and/or the specific words "Hell or Damn". Experimentation will reveal a happy medium for the viewer.

Hookup-wise, the unit, the size of a half carton of cigarettes, goes between the last unit of equipment (DVD/VCR/Cable Box, etc.) and the TV. It uses on screen programming to set up the amount of filtering. I have it filtering a cable box, DVD, and VCR using a three-way digital switch, so it 'nails' everything from everywhere. The manual is outstanding. It comes with a power supply and has three types of input: digital, composite video, and S-video; and a coaxial output. Follow the TVG input hookup instructions carefully. I have three TVGs: one hooked to a really old TV and the two more TVGs on two advanced TVs, but NOT on the most advanced HD TVs. All three using different hookups. And it looks sleek atop the equipment stack, although it should be placed in a cool place to prevent screen artifacts and false wording effects.

*****2007 UPDATE: Unfortunately, TV Guardian does not have the 'state of the art' HDMI or DVI connectors that the current HD LCD Flat Screen TVs demand and that could cause the picture quality to suffer if you only use S-video or RCA cables. So that becomes a tradeoff: foul language or picture quality on the best TVs available.********

Set to it's most strict settings, your TV sound will be totally devoid of cursing and "blue" language on captioned shows. Is it perfect? No, once in a six month period a word may slip thru, but that is usually the fault of the person who typed the caption track, not the equipment. But even if it fails twice a year, that still puts TVG miles ahead of the alternative of no filter at all. One day all movie theatres should offer wireless headphones that have this capability. I'm no prude but I've had enough of the 'potty mouths' ruining what is otherwise great entertainment. With TVG I can now watch "Scarface" and "Good Will Hunting" with no problem.

Just remember the connector limitations of the "update" above for HD LCD Flat Screen TVs for you "State of the Art" TV viewers. Investigate your cable connections carefully before buying. Five Big Stars!!!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works as advertised!, September 24, 2006

By	David M. Moser "Mike in Carolina!" (Clemson,So.Car. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's very rare you get a product that works like it says it does!Gets 99% of the offensive language.Now you can watch a movie without all the @#$%&*.You don't have to explain to the grand kids anymore.A great addition to any American home.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good product but could be better!, October 2, 2007

By	S. Aponte (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We purchased this product to eliminate cursing and excessive use of God's name that today's shows and movies use. It does a pretty good job of that, but IMO this product is NOT state of the art. This device does not support movies made by Universal, so if you are purchasing or renting a Rated R movie you better check the back of the movie to see who made it. Also, we have experienced some movies that weren't made by Universal that the guardian did not block. I think it still needs some refining and for a product over $100, it should do a better job. Finally, the setup is quite simple, but can get somewhat complicated if you use surround sound. The best option I've found is to have all devices attached to an A/V switch and then attach the A/V switch to the guardian. If anyone has other recommended setups i'd love to hear them! And and BTW, if you use nothing but HD, this product is not for you since it does not support the latest technology.