[d@DCC] More research on Bill C-2: DVD players interfer with military

From: Russell McOrmond <russell _-at-_ flora.ca>
To: General Copyright Discussions <discuss (at) digital-copyright.ca>
Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 16:10:03 -0400 (EDT)

  I am doing more research on Bill C-2 to prepare for being a witness
before Industry, Science and Technology committee of next Tuesday May 4.

  I found a Web copy of the Edmonton Sun article that Gary Schellenberger,
MP referenced to me in his email.  It was in a Home Theater discussion
forum.

  DVD players interfer with military
  http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?p=99352

  I added a message to that forum in the hopes of receiving feedback.  I
also sent a message to the Industry Canada spokesman quoted:

    Rae Bradford, an Edmonton-based Industry Canada spokesman, said she's 
    aware of at least one case in Cold Lake where a DVD player "appeared" 
    to be causing the interference.

    "We're still looking into that," said Bradford. "I don't think we've
    drawn any conclusions."



  I am also wondering if anyone in the forum has knowledge on AVR
microcontrollers.  Doing a search finds legitimate hardware manufacturer
of multi-purpose devices, not single-purpose devices used for infringing.

  The backgrounders at Industry Canada are not detailed enough to know
whether they are making judgments based on sound information.  They
mention specific smart cards which they allege are causing interference,
but this does not appear to justify the bill as the act of importing
uncertified devices that are causing interference would already be
illegal.

Go to: http://strategis.gc.ca/spectrum

And see two links:  

    * Direct-to-Home (DTH) Satellite Broadcasting
    * Pirate Devices Used in DTH Equipment Causing Interference


One of the FAQ pages:
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf05757e.html

    4. How did Industry Canada establish that "AVR cards" were responsible 
    for the interference?

    Industry Canada's radio equipment testing laboratory evaluated several 
    "off the shelf" Bell ExpressVu satellite television receivers. All 
    receivers were found to be compliant with the appropriate technical 
    standards and free of radio signals escaping into the environment. The 
    standard is the Broadcast Equipment Technical Standard No. 7 (BETS-7).

    The same receivers were subsequently tested after being fitted with 
    AVR cards. The combined devices transmitted excessive radio signals,
    some of which fell on channels used by Police and Search and Rescue
    agencies.

    Removal of the AVR cards subsequently eliminated the interfering radio 
    signals. 



BTW: Again, thanks to Matthew Skala for alerting us all to bill C-2 which
seems like a back-door to some of the unintended consequences of Legal
protection for TPM.

-- 
 Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/> 
 Open letters with Susan Crean http://www.flora.ca/creators/
 Petition for Users' Rights http://www.digital-copyright.ca/petition/
           All citizens are "rights holders"!

--
For (un)subscription information, posting guidelines and
links to other related sites please see http://www.digital-copyright.ca