TB-1 — Information Relating to the Regulation of Apparatus Capable of Receiving Television Broadcasting Signals

Issue 5
November 17, 2023

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Preface

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is providing the technical bulletin number 1 (TB-1) as an expression of its practices, procedures and policies regarding BETS-7, Technical Standards and Requirements for Apparatus Capable of Receiving Television Broadcasting Signals. ISED reserves the right to modify its practices, procedures or policies at any time, without notice if, in the opinion of ISED, the circumstances or regulations affecting the management of this aspect of the radio frequency spectrum so warrant. Notice of such changes will be given in advance whenever possible. This bulletin is not intended to replace the regulations themselves, nor is it comprehensive in that it does not answer all possible questions. Therefore, the relevant regulations and amendments thereto should also be consulted for all purposes of complying with the law.

____________________________
Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

1. Introduction

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) requirements concerning apparatus capable of receiving television broadcasting signals are contained in Radiocommunication Regulations, Part III, under Category II equipment. The standards that apply to television broadcasting signals are defined in the Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standard BETS-7, Technical Standards and Requirements for Apparatus Capable of Receiving Television Broadcasting Signals.

BETS-7 pertains to three specific types of apparatus:

  • analog and digital television receiving apparatus
  • cable-compatible analog and digital television receiving apparatus
  • digital television receiving apparatus

These classifications apply to all apparatus capable of receiving television broadcasting signals, equipped with Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and/or National Television System Committee (NTSC) tuners. These apparatus are televisions (TVs) and TV interface devices.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the application of BETS-7 through the following questions and answers, for the guidance of responsible parties such as manufacturers and importers.

3. Questions and answers

1. Q. What are the channel selection requirements for television apparatus?

A. The channel selection requirements for television apparatus are defined in section 6.1.2 of BETS-7.

2. Q. What are the labelling requirements for television apparatus?

A. The labelling requirements for television apparatus are defined in BETS-7.

Refer to section 7.1.2 of BETS-7 for equipment intended for demonstration or research purposes. A physical label (permanent label or marking) is always required. Electronic labelling (e-labelling) is not allowed.

Refer to section 7.3 of BETS-7 for commercial equipment (not intended for demonstration or research purposes). A physical label (permanent label or marking) is required. The only exception is for apparatus with an integral (non-removable) display screen. In that case, an electronic label (e-label) may be used in lieu of a physical label.

3. Q. What is considered to be a permanent label or marking?

A. Any label or marking is considered permanent if it cannot be removed without the use of tools.

4. Q. Are there any regulations under the Radiocommunication Act, other than the Radiocommunication Regulations, Part III, which are applicable to technical requirements for television apparatus?

A. Currently, the only other regulations dealing with technical requirements for television apparatus under the Radiocommunication Act are contained in Part VI of the Radiocommunication Regulations and concern interference, including interference-causing equipment.

5. Q. Is there an additional labelling requirement for television apparatus under Part VI of the Radiocommunication Regulations?

A. There is no additional labelling requirement to indicate compliance under Part VI of the Radiocommunication Regulations, as labelling is associated with meeting all of ISED’s BETS-7 requirements.

6. Q. Has the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry approved any testing procedure as referred to in the Radiocommunication Regulations, Part III?

A. References and guidance for testing procedures are provided throughout BETS-7, where applicable, with respect to television apparatus.

7. Q. Are television apparatus covered under BETS-7 limited to the reception of television broadcasting signals?

A. No. BETS-7 only addresses the television broadcasting receiving capabilities of a television apparatus. Any additional features are allowed provided that all requirements of BETS-7 pertaining to television broadcasting reception are met.

8. Q. Does BETS-7 preclude the sale of AM/FM apparatus that are capable of receiving the audio portion of a television broadcasting transmission?

A. No. Multiband radios capable of receiving the audio portion of a television broadcasting transmission are not included in ISED’s regulations, which details apparatus capable of receiving television broadcasting signals.

9. Q. Does BETS-7 permit the use of numerical designators to identify cable-specific channels?

A. Yes. However, given that this matter is not related to spectrum management in any particular manner, it is not covered in BETS-7.

10. Q. What is the effective date of BETS-7?

A. The publication date is the effective date of BETS-7, issue 4. A transition period of six months following the publication is provided, during which compliance with BETS-7, issue 3 or BETS-7, issue 4, will be accepted.

11. Q. Has the reporting process to ISED changed in BETS-7?

A. Yes. To comply with BETS-7, issue 3, a responsible party had to submit a notification document attesting that their apparatus meets the requirements set in the standard and provide the make and model/type number of the apparatus. In addition, the responsible party had to submit a test report. To comply with BETS-7, issue 4, a responsible party no longer has to submit a notification document as Category II equipment is exempt from certification and registration. In addition, the test report must be submitted to ISED only when requested.

12. Q. Does BETS-7 allow the sale of television apparatus without any antennas?

A. Yes. It is expected though that any requirements be clearly and prominently communicated to potential consumers, so that they are made aware of any additional accessories to be acquired separately.

13. Q. What are the antenna terminal impedance requirements for television apparatus?

A. For a television apparatus intended to be connected to a cable television distribution undertaking, the signal input is transmitted through a 75 ohm impedance coaxial connection. Owners of antennas with 300 ohm leads are expected to use a 300 ohm/75 ohm converting unit to connect the 75 ohm coaxial cable to the television apparatus input terminal.

14. Q. What are the tuner requirements for television apparatus?

A. Television apparatus must have the appropriate tuning functionalities to adequately tune to the selected channel. More details on the tuner requirements are provided in section 6.1.1 of BETS-7.

15. Q. Does a manufacturer or importer require approval by ISED before offering for sale apparatus capable of receiving television broadcasting signals?

A. No. The Self-Declaration of Compliance (SDoC) is the conformity assessment scheme used by ISED. More details are provided in section 5 of BETS-7.

16. Q. Does BETS-7 apply to video monitors, computers with video monitors, or to television receiving equipment that are mainly designed for cable reception (e.g. usage in hospitals or hotels)?

A. No. BETS-7 does not apply to video monitors, computers with video monitors or to television receiving equipment not intended for the reception of television broadcasting signals by the general public.

17. Q. Does the tuning capability of a television apparatus have to be simultaneously compatible when switched from the cable to the off-air mode?

A. No. It is expected that the apparatus may require adjustment of the preset selection controls to change from the cable to the off-air mode or vice versa.

18. Q. Are TVs that are capable of tuning to cable-specific channels below 120 MHz permitted to be sold in Canada?

A. Yes. However, cable television distribution undertakings in Canada, which are authorized to use the bands 108-120 MHz and 328.6-335.4 MHz to carry television broadcasting signals, can do so under very strict conditions because of the shared use of these bands by other radiocommunication systems.

19. Q. Is it permissible to add baseband, RGB, HDMI or other input and output terminals to television apparatus?

A. Yes. There is no restriction on the addition of terminals for various other services and ISED encourages such additions.