Consumer Watch reporter Wendy Bell might have an answer.

Bell tested a device called TV Guardian in the WTAE studios. TV Guardian is a black box about one-fourth the size of a VCR. It detects and filters out offensive words and phrases on your favorite TV shows and movies.

The one WTAE purchased costs about $100.

TV Guardian is different from the V-Chip, which is standard equipment in newer TVs and helps parents curb questionable material in movies and TV programs.

The V-Chip blocks out entire programs that it deems as inappropriate. With the TV Guardian, you simply do not hear certain words.

The device has a dictionary of about 100 words and phrases. When it detects foul language, a small "TV-G" icon appears in the bottom left of your screen.

The box mutes the words and replaces them with more appropriate captions so that you can follow along.

"When I first looked at it, it's interesting." said WTAE engineer Tom Skubel. "It's better than the V-Chip. But it cuts out your closed-captioning. If you need to use closed-captioning, you won't be able to with this device. And that has some implications for the hearing-impaired."

For more information on TV Guardian, click here.