TV Licence article Discussion

Cornucopia

acc wrote: »

What methods do you recommend?

I have seen various suggestions to use services such as TVCatchup and Youview and to use different equipment such as simple PC to TV, a smart PVR such as Humax DTR-T1000, a smart TV, etc.

What are the pros and cons of each method?

Thanks.

This is a huge question.

Personally, I looked at the capabilities of the equipment I had already. In my case, I already had a laptop, a netbook, a Humax Fox-T2 HD, and a PS/3. I also have a 37inch Hitachi 1080p TV (not a smart TV).

The netbook was out straight away as it wasn't able to connect to the TV other than with VGA, and that gave a small, sqaure display on the TV. The laptop has an HDMI output, and for a while I was bringing it daily from the office to the front room to use iPlayer Desktop (I also found my broadband getting flaky in the evenings causing buffering on streamed content).

The PS/3 was there for a quick dip into TV at other times of day. Advantages of that - the iPlayer app is neat and reliable. None of the apps have access to live streams. Disadvantage: the 40D app is flaky and includes mandatory ads.

The thing that changed all that was iPlayer desktop failing on my laptop and refusing to be reinstalled. I looked around for an alternative and came across get_iplayer (a third-party set of scripts that is capable of legally downloading iPlayer content as MP4 files - they are not encrypted and don't require decryption). Then it was as simple as working out that the MP4s wouldn't play on the PS/3, but they would on the Humax. The Humax then went on to a Homegroup share with the laptop, and that is the solution I am still using.

As a programmer, I was able to develop some VB code to automate the triggering of downloads for series, and they are delivered as if by Sky+ to the Humax box.

edit to add: I don't know whether the PS/3 and Humax are using the same iPlayer feeds or not, but the PS/3 stream is noticeably more jerky (due to low frame-rate) than the Humax, which looks like normal TV, especially with 720p "HD" content.

System

acc wrote: »

What methods do you recommend?

I have seen various suggestions to use services such as TVCatchup and Youview and to use different equipment such as simple PC to TV, a smart PVR such as Humax DTR-T1000, a smart TV, etc.

What are the pros and cons of each method?

Thanks.

Well if you were to use Youview you'd only need to disconnect the aerial but all the catchup TV would still be accessible via wlan/lan.

I would recommend that because it would be on the TV instead of the computer/laptop screen.

On another note I hear from a reliable source that updates are coming to Youview which will give us even more content

[Deleted User]

AnthonyUK wrote: »

I have found that when you buy a recording device with Freeview built-in ie a DVD/Bluray recorder or DVD/VCR combination unit you don't get hounded unlike you do with the purchase of a television set.

I have found that, when you don't give your real details, you don't get hounded, at least no more than you already were, by virtue of not having a licence in the first place.

Marvel1

Weekly email of this is very interesting, can't remember the last time I watched live TV, don't have a recorder - so I use I-Player, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5 for catchups, with Lovefilm. Also use my TV for my Xbox and watch DVDs.

Basically I have free sky/sat which I don't use.

Time to save £12.12 a month I think.

[Deleted User]

cjdavies wrote: »

Time to save £12.12 a month I think.

Are you paying monthly, or was that just an expression?

Narc

I'm not sure how these inspectors can tell if you watch live tv unless you let them in with live tv on.

TVL are a pain in the backside, you say that have have no tv and they say they will leave you alone for two years but then send you endless threatening letters. This has happened at two addresses now, my last address they left a "we told you we'd call" note twice too while I was at work. Guilty until proven innocent.

[Deleted User]

Narc wrote: »

I'm not sure how these inspectors can tell if you watch live tv unless you let them in with live tv on.

They can't, therefore they rely on two methods.

1. The aforementioned, you let them in with live tv on.

2. You sign one of their self-incrimination, TVL178 forms.

BTW, they're not "inspectors".

stevemcol

The BBC is the envy of the world. Their TV & Radio programming is predominantly of the highest standard and....NO ADVERTS :j.
I'm more than happy to pay my TV licence on that basis.

If we all find ways to wriggle out of paying, the BBC would disappear in its current guise. I think we would be worse off without it.

stevemcol

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

They can't, therefore they rely on two methods.

1. The aforementioned, you let them in with live tv on.

2. You sign one of their self-incrimination, TVL178 forms.

BTW, they're not "inspectors".

They can. One easy method is to detect leakage from the IF oscillator. Using a directional antenna from more than one position will pinpoint the TV to within a metre or so. The frequency of the IF in the days of analogue could indicate the channel being watched. With digital, it will narrow it down to which multiplex.
There are other RF emissions from your TV or set top box that can be received, triangulated and demodulated.

Now you could try wrapping your telly in tin foil but don't forget the foil hat so they can't steal your brainwaves.

[Deleted User]

stevemcol wrote: »

Using a directional antenna from more than one position will pinpoint the TV to within a metre or so.

I'n afraid "within a metre or so" is nowhere near close enough, given that TVs are often attached to walls, and the average party wall is only 0.23 metres thick.

If detection is so reliable, why have they knocked my door 10 times, in barely 3 years, when they could have confirmed my LLF status, by detection :huh: