PDA

View Full Version : Cops track emergency call to malfunctioning TV



craigdawg
Oct 18, 2004, 06:25 PM
EDTV phone home. Those of you old enough to get that, pat yourselves on the back.

Why would a TV need the ability to broadcast a signal? :confused:
Talk about unwanted new features in fancy televisions, college student Chris van Rossman got more than he wanted with his Toshiba set--as he learned when emergency and law enforcement officials came knocking.
http://news.com.com/Cops+track+emergency+call+to+malfunctioning+TV/2100-1041_3-5415719.html?tag=nefd.top


Mr. Anderson
Oct 18, 2004, 06:34 PM
Hahaha!

The television had just exceeded its warranty, according to Bamberger.

Van Rossman was instructed to cease emitting a false distress signal--to stop watching TV--or face a fine by the Federal Communications Commission of $10,000 per day.

Isn't that always the case? Warranty ends and the machine starts acting up or dying.....

So it might mean he's going to have to pay for a fix or a new tv...or pay $10k

The nice thing is that its good to know the system works :D

D
crazzyeddie
Oct 18, 2004, 07:56 PM
That $10,000 per day thing seems a little steep for the individual, its not like he's purposely causing it. Shouldn't the manufacturer be responsible for this?
bousozoku
Oct 18, 2004, 08:40 PM
If it wasn't working correctly, could it be considered a false distress signal? The t.v. was apparently in distress.

EDTV = Emergency Dysfunction Tele Vision
Counterfit
Oct 18, 2004, 11:10 PM
Those of you old enough to get that, pat yourselves on the back. Done and done. :D
SilentPanda
Oct 19, 2004, 01:31 PM
Maybe he was watching "Lost" or "Survivor" or something...
sonyrules
Oct 20, 2004, 08:13 AM
That $10,000 per day thing seems a little steep for the individual, its not like he's purposely causing it. Shouldn't the manufacturer be responsible for this?

I am assuming that it doesnt matter if its an individual or a company, the fines are the same. Just odd how a TV would tranmitt something, Even more odd that it can transmitt with enough for someone to pick it up from a distance. Maybe theres something with that TV that is not known....
patrick0brien
Oct 20, 2004, 12:37 PM
I thought there are very strick FCC regs that prevent a device like a TV desined to receive signals to not broadcast one.

And what the hell is a TV doing programmed with an SOS signal?!? I cannot imagine much of a us for a TV to do that - now a cel-phone...

This is just odd...