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

From: Joe McGuire <theguy _-at-_ tinfoil.net>
To: General Discussion <discuss (at) digital-copyright.ca>
Date: Sun, 02 May 2004 20:29:30 -0400
References: <Pine.LNX.4.44.0405021549410.31015-100000@calcutta.flora.ca>

Having some personal knowledge of these AVR cards, I find it very 
difficult that it would interfere with anything more than 50 feet away. 
Sure, the bulk of them are unshielded devices and many are poorly built, 
but they are hardly powerfull enough to interfere with radio.

Hell, the higher end AVR's that connect to a computer are certainly not 
prone to this sort of leakage.

Granted it is been some years since I have done any serious work with 
'lectronics, and even longer since I have received my 'lectronics 
technologist degree, but I am fairly certain that none of these AVR 
cards operate with sufficient power or frequency to cause harm.

That being said, I am going to stop here and actually read that article. 
I missed it the first time around.

Russell McOrmond wrote:

>  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.
>
>  
>

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