TV Licence article Discussion

Mojo29

I am a student living in Halls and I've noticed the websites mention that a License is not required if my parents at my non-term address have a valid License and that I don't connect to the mains.

Therefore if I run my laptop off batteries and use my USB TV tuner with portable aerial do I still need a License?

Thanks!

Mojo29

Thanks, that's what I thought too.

Just got this reply from TVL.

If you are using your laptop powered solely by its own internal batteries to receive programmes, a licence held for your main address will cover its use in other places. However, if you use an external power source then a separate licence will be required.

Could I take that to mean never mains powered or not mains powered only whilst watching TV?

Andy_L

When you plug it into the mains you must stop watching TV. Obviously the chance of getting caught is minute so it depends on you sense of paranoia/morality if you actually do this.

sweetbutternut

I don't watch BBC programmes, but I have a freeview box which automatically streams the BBC to me along with other channels. Is there a way I can disable the BBC channels and if it's possible, do I still have to pay the licence fee? Does anyone know?

Mutton_Geoff

Some aspects of the equipment have been developed in such secrecy that engineers working on specific detection methods work in isolation, so not even they know how the other detection methods work. This gives us the best chance of catching licence evaders

What a load of twaddle! Detector vans use recievers to detect the very weak intermediate frequency transmitted from the TV set as the superheterodyne receiver processes the received signal. As more and more television sets filled peoples houses, the selective nature of this process was no longer accurate enough.

The mere presence of the TV detector van in your road was supposed to work by intimidation. Today's method is a national database and the assumption that every home must have a TV set. Nowadays they simply visit unlicensed houses and listen out for the Big Brother theme after you've opened the door. It's still assumption and intimidation, nothing to do with "high tech secret technology detector vans".

nollag2006

My telly licence is up for renewal in March.

Given that I usually only watch iPlayer pre-recorded programs on my laptop, I will probably cancel my licence.

My query is, do I still need a licence if I’ve got an aerial and a satellite dish on the side of the house?

Swan_2

sweetbutternut wrote: »

I don't watch BBC programmes, but I have a freeview box which automatically streams the BBC to me along with other channels. Is there a way I can disable the BBC channels and if it's possible, do I still have to pay the licence fee? Does anyone know?

as far as I am aware (I may be corrected by someone more knowledgeable) you still need a licence even if you never watch, or even can't receive BBC programmes, but still watch or record other stations as they're being broadcast

nollag2006 wrote:

My telly licence is up for renewal in March.

Given that I usually only watch iPlayer pre-recorded programs on my laptop, I will probably cancel my licence.

My query is, do I still need a licence if I’ve got an aerial and a satellite dish on the side of the house?

no you don't, but it might be wise de-tune the telly if you have one & unplug any aerial cables

but legally, you don't even have to do that, it's up to THEM to prove you're watching or recording programmes as they're broadcast, although for peace of mind & in order to avoid hassles on the doorstep, it's probably best to follow the above advice

moonrakerz

Swan wrote: »

as far as I am aware (I may be corrected by someone more knowledgeable) you still need a licence even if you never watch, or even can't receive BBC programmes, but still watch or record other stations as they're being broadcast

Quite correct !

Swan wrote: »

no you don't, but it might be wise de-tune the telly if you have one & unplug any aerial cables

but legally, you don't even have to do that, it's up to THEM to prove you're watching or recording programmes as they're broadcast, although for peace of mind & in order to avoid hassles on the doorstep, it's probably best to follow the above advice

You don't have to do anything - they have to prove their case. They have no right of access to your property. You are quite within your rights to ban them from ever setting foot on your property (I have !).
TV Licensing, in a written reply in Parliament, have stated that the fact that an individual bans them from a property will NOT be taken as an indication that that person has something to hide.

Abbafan1972

basmic wrote: »

Saw this, this morning: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7613938.stm - Edmonds begins TV licence boycott

Good on Noel!

Swan_2

moonrakerz wrote: »

You don't have to do anything - they have to prove their case. They have no right of access to your property. You are quite within your rights to ban them from ever setting foot on your property (I have !).
TV Licensing, in a written reply in Parliament, have stated that the fact that an individual bans them from a property will NOT be taken as an indication that that person has something to hide.

moonrakerz, I always like to see posts from you on this subject, there's so much nonsense talked about who needs a licence, & you always cut right to the chase :T
I'm not as brave as you though, when I wasn't watching telly & (legally) didn't have a licence, I felt I'd rather avoid possible confrontation by doing the de-tuning & unplugging thing


I have to say though that if the BBC ever manage to persuade any government to demand a TV licence for simply having broadband access :mad: I'd go straight into guerilla mode