TV Licence article Discussion

Claudiah

Thanks Cornucopia et al,

So I tested channel 999. It doesn't allow pausing or recording, so isn't automatically recording on switch on. Also It seems more like a how to use your box information loop than a live broadcast tv. But I could easily go up one channel to Radio 1. Live rewind can be set to zero minutes on the box to be doubly sure. I could also set all tv channels to require pin access so I wouldn't be able to accidentally access them. Might be a good idea. I've yet to try disconnecting the satellite and see what services (catch up etc) still come through the internet connection. That would probably solve issues for sure.

Its a shame though, it looks like it will be easier to cancel my sky tv subscription (As I said I get a good deal, so much so this might even mean my sky package cost increases!), and buy a separate box at extra cost (which is annoying and a waste of money).

Interestingly, TV licensing have replied to an email about this stating they refuse to help without knowing my address or license number. Which is worrying and very non helpful. They have also said that I would even need a license if I connect a PS4 to my tv, because it can receive live broadcast tv, again saying I wouldn't be able to prove I wasn't watching live tv!

I don't even have a PS4, and told them I thought it was getting a little ridiculous. It's made me sure I don't want to be paying them, as they don't seem to want to help at all, and just want to frighten me into believing I need a license, rather than properly explaining the rules. How can connecting a PS4 to a tv require a license in itself !! Ofcom were unable to help. I can only complain to tvlicensing or the BBC trust apparently.

I understand Cornucopia's view that it is just a "straight choice" but in this case it isn't that simple. I want to be fully sure I don't fall foul of the law, but get the most out of the equipment (and sky deal) I currently have without ever watching or recording live tv. It seems I have to give up stuff in order to merely demonstrate I'm not going to do anything wrong, and if I don't disconnect and cancel everything I may well be prosecuted...

Thanks again for your everyone's advice though. Enough for now.

JimmyTheWig

Claudiah wrote: »

Its a shame though, it looks like it will be easier to cancel my sky tv subscription (As I said I get a good deal, so much so this might even mean my sky package cost increases!), and buy a separate box at extra cost (which is annoying and a waste of money).

You'd still have to buy an extra box, but I see no reason why you couldn't keep the subscription (if cancelling would cost more than leaving it) but put the Sky box away in a cupboard.

cw18

Claudiah wrote: »

and buy a separate box at extra cost (which is annoying and a waste of money).

I'm not sure what box you're looking at. I've not seen any that can get catch-up without also getting live TV (though I admit to not having looked since my DD moved house a couple of years ago).

I have a Smart TV which has Apps to access some of the catch-up services (certainly iPlayer is on there). Other than that I can access them on the Internet on my laptop (or even mobile phone), but I opt to not access them at all on any device (don't show anything that interests me).

The very fact I have internet means that I could watch live TV whilst keeping my aerial disabled and all internat coaxial cables disconnected, but I don't need a licence as I've never accessed live TV that way. The form I filled out to cancel my licence (and get a refund as I paid by month D/Debit so was always in credit) simply asked if I watch live TV- the answer being 'no'.

[Deleted User]

Claudiah wrote: »

Interestingly, TV licensing have replied to an email about this stating they refuse to help without knowing my address or license number. Which is worrying and very non helpful. They have also said that I would even need a license if I connect a PS4 to my tv, because it can receive live broadcast tv, again saying I wouldn't be able to prove I wasn't watching live tv!

I don't even have a PS4, and told them I thought it was getting a little ridiculous. It's made me sure I don't want to be paying them, as they don't seem to want to help at all, and just want to frighten me into believing I need a license, rather than properly explaining the rules. How can connecting a PS4 to a tv require a license in itself !! Ofcom were unable to help. I can only complain to tvlicensing or the BBC trust apparently.

Oh dear... I have an Xbox connected to the internet. Yes it can do netflix, nowtv and catch-up channels. Not sure about live TV having never tried it. Sounds like they are trying to bully you into getting a license...?

cw18

jeepjunkie wrote: »

Oh dear... I have an Xbox connected to the internet. Yes it can do netflix, nowtv and catch-up channels. Not sure about live TV having never tried it. Sounds like they are trying to bully you into getting a license...?

My son has an Xbox connected as well - and is under threat of death if he uses it to watch live TV. His reply was actually that there's nothing worth watching unless you have cable or Sky, and as we can't get cable to this property and I refuse to let him have a dish installed on it he's quite happy to stick to Netflix (or visiting friends to watch at their houses )

Cornucopia

We all could watch TV broadcasts, the question is how much effort is it, and whether we could realistically make the argument that it had been put beyond everyday use. I think the zero-minutes pause and the PIN for every TV channel are good ideas, and if Claudiah was confident in dealing with any TVL visitors by ignoring them or turning them away (which she is totally entitled to do) then I'd probably say stick with that.

Being quite prominent in a campaigning/complaining/advising group opposed to TVL, I take this quite seriously. I have a YouView box with no aerial and all the TV channels detuned. When the BBC added Live playback to the iPlayer app, I blocked the relevant URL on my Router. This is, as near as I can get to it, a household that does not have access to TV broadcasts.

@Claudiah - what package do you get with Sky? I know they do some good offers, but I would be really surprised if we MSErs could not do better.

For most other people, I would suggest:-

- Not using Sky TV or VM via a Set-top Box (though I like the ideas suggested above).

- Use a Youview box with the Freeview part fully disabled.

- Use a Smart TV with the Freeview part fully detuned/no aerial connected.

- Use a STB/dongle such as Now TV, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire HD, etc. These may have live reception options on them, but they can sometimes be disabled. Of those, Now TV is the cheapest, and Chromecast has the User Interface on your Smart Phone, which is beyond TVL's scrutiny. I have Chromecast.

- Use a Laptop or Android tablet connected to the TV.

- Or for the techies, a small Linux box.

The cheapest options are either to use equipment you already have, or if you are buying something new, Now TV is the cheapest off-the-shelf price, and there is no obligation to subscribe.

JimmyTheWig

A brilliant post, Cornucopia.

Cornucopia

Thanks.

That is, of course, the kind of detailed information that I would expect BBC/TVL to willingly publish to assist the public to comply with the Law.

But they don't.

To complete the picture, blocking the following URL on one's Router or ISP blacklist will prevent access to the iPlayer live stream but allow iPlayer catch-up to continue to work...

a.files.bbci.co.uk

[Deleted User]

Cornucopia wrote: »

Chromecast has the User Interface on your Smart Phone, which is beyond TVL's scrutiny. I have Chromecast.

Another little gem

Many thanks

reb

I have searched and searched on here and other places for an answer to this one , so I am hoping you can help me. My daughter who has anxiety issues was home with her young children. She hasn't had a tv licence for over a year, and doesn't need a tv licence because she doesn't watch tv on anything. The dreaded man came to the door and she couldn't get rid of him. He insisted he would not leave until she gave him her bank details. She was so upset, she thinks (yes that is how upset she was....she thinks) she signed something and when she refused to give her bank details he left her with a card to go and pay for the licence he insists she needs cos he could see the tv from the door.

She has only just told me this, and I would like to know is it too late for her not to pay? She legally doesn't need one. If she did then she would pay. She just felt so bullied, harassed, call it what you will and needed to get indoors to feed her young baby.

Advice please.....