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What are the clips/clamps for?

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Sony_Fan

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A quote from Richyu from a post at another forum:

"They are supposed to reduce inteference from the AC power / remote when recording. The smaller ones are to be attached one on the end of the remote cable, and the other possibly if you are using a mic I think. The big one may be for the USB cable if it doesn't already have one attached."

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I don't use these and the manual states that they are only necessasry when hooking the recorder up to the computer, so I don't bother. You shouldn't have any problems if you don't use them, they're only there to conform some type of FCC standards. Who wants to use a remote with one of those things on it anyway?

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are you talking about one of these?

IPB Image

Yeah, that's it. I haven't used them at all. What kind of interference are they suppose to reduce or block? I only do optical/digital recording, so I don't think I need to use them. But I will be buying a new computer soon, and then I'll be downloading music with the USB cable. Do I need to use it then?

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Sorry, e1ghtyf1ve, but I believe you are wrong on a few accounts.

1) They are magnetic. In fact they are ferrite which is a ferromagnetic ceramic compound of iron, born and barium or strontium or molybdenum. Same materials most house hold magnets are made of.

2) They don't protect the MD unit from anything. They are there to stop the cable from emitting an illegal electromagnetic field that occurs when signals go across the cable. The FCC requires the use of the clips (or I should say requires the fields be suppressed), though most likely we can get away without using them. If you play modern videogames, you'll notice the controllers' cables have these next to where they plug in to the game system. Same thing.

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Sorry, e1ghtyf1ve, but I believe you are wrong on a few accounts.

1) They are magnetic. In fact they are ferrite which is a ferromagnetic ceramic compound of iron, born and barium or strontium or molybdenum. Same materials most house hold magnets are made of.

2) They don't protect the MD unit from anything. They are there to stop the cable from emitting an illegal electromagnetic field that occurs when signals go across the cable. The FCC requires the use of the clips (or I should say requires the fields be suppressed), though most likely we can get away without using them. If you play modern videogames, you'll notice the controllers' cables have these next to where they plug in to the game system. Same thing.

That's pretty funny! Lots of science fiction. :lol:

There's some truth mixed in there, though. But no, sorry to disappoint you, the ferrite cores are not magnetic. If they produce a tiny magnetic field, it is merely coincidental and not intentional. When you wrap a loop of the cable through the cores, you are in effect creating what's called a low-inductance RF choke, a kind of low-pass filter for RF frequencies. BTW, the brain scrambling bit was a little joke. ;)

FCC doesn't require it, check the manual again (Page 3 for some). The device already complies with Part 15 as Class B, with or without the clamp filters. They do help prevent Class B digital devices from interfering with each other. You are not breaking any law by leaving them off! It is conceivable that malfunctions could rarely occur, however.

Here endeth the physics lesson. Normally I would let these things slide, but there was just too much misinformation here.

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  • 2 weeks later...

FCC doesn't require it, check the manual again (Page 3 for some). The device already complies with Part 15 as Class B, with or without the clamp filters. They do help prevent Class B digital devices from interfering with each other. You are not breaking any law by leaving them off! It is conceivable that malfunctions could rarely occur, however.

... so... it's there so that if the NSA (or other security agency) bug your apartment, the cable will be prevented from interfering with the operation of the bug?

:lol:

If I recall, the provided clamps are for line in cables. I found out when I went to attach them to my old N707 cable and realised I was one short. Then reading the little sheet it came with (one of the many other documents in the bag with the manual), enlightened me on what they were for.

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... so... it's there so that if the NSA (or other security agency) bug your apartment, the cable will be prevented from interfering with the operation of the bug?

:lol:

If I recall, the provided clamps are for line in cables. I found out when I went to attach them to my old N707 cable and realised I was one short. Then reading the little sheet it came with (one of the many other documents in the bag with the manual), enlightened me on what they were for.

Here at the DHS we only use analog equipment, as they are more durable. For more information, please click on the following link:

DHS Research & Technology

Cheers

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they stop the music falling out of the cable and spilling in the floor.

That's what I always thought they were for. :blink::lol::lol:

Maybe the person that had noises while recording with an RH10 and the AC adapter could benifit from using these RF clamps? I can't remember who it was but I know their was a thread on here not to long ago. :huh:

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They add a little more weight to be Minidisc package to make it feel more substantial so you feel you are getting more for your money.

This allows Sony to get back at any of us ordering from overseas by increasing the delivery costs slightly.

Also they generate a subliminal hum that induces you to buy more Sony products.

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if they are indeed unnecessary, I think Sony (legally) has to have them in there to get some certification (even tho it was mentioned they don't) 'cause otherwise wouldn't these be the first things to go to reduce costs?

The mystery continues.

There is no mystery! This is not rocket science! Example: The USB cords I use have filters built into them (the iRiver ones work great for me, no failed uploads). Try cords without filters and you will likely find that the connection will not reliable enough for 100% consistent HiMD uploads. That has been my experience, at least. For the final time :angry::lol: filtering may be required for reliable operation of Class B devices. RF interference can and does cause malfunctions. The filters are provided to help prevent interference. What's more, the FCC requires that the means are provided to the consumer to reduce or eliminate interference so that proper operation of Class B digital devices (including computers) can be achieved. Just Read The Fine Manual, and go to the FCC website or Google for more information on RFI filtering if you're interested.

Moderators, can we add this RFI Clamp Filter FAQ to the list?

Cheers

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What's more, the FCC requires that the means are provided to the consumer to reduce or eliminate interference so that proper operation of Class B digital devices (including computers) can be achieved. Just Read The Fine Manual, and go to the FCC website or Google for more information on RFI filtering if you're interested.

Moderators, can we add this RFI Clamp Filter FAQ to the list?

Cheers

Slight miscommunication, sorry. By 'unnecessary' I meant unnecessary to most people here. Not that is has no technical merit in and of itself, but that it probably isn't seen in daily use too much.

USB cables that come bundled with Hi-MD = filter(s) included on the cables already, so I'm not talking about those.

Additional (loose) filters in the box = as I suspected, perhaps required by Sony to be bundled in there (otherwise, why go to the expense for something most people don't find a need for and are confused about?).

Because most people seem to do just fine with out 'em.

Which is what I meant by the "if they are indeed unnecessary..." to most people. I was talking specifically about the additional ones in the box perhaps being a requirement rather than Sony feeling generous and including them when they could get away with not ;) I will check the FCC website out, thanks.

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