Do you need a TV licence for a PC?

alyth

This isn't as stupid a question as it sounds - I'm going to be moving into a rented place next month, and the cost of a TV licence has to be taken into account. I rarely watch TV and even less DVDs, but I do occasionally watch things on BBC I-Player. Do I need a TV licence for that? And, how about if I have a TV but it's not connected to an arial, but I have a DVD player? I know I can play DVDs on my PC, but I just wondered about the licence situation.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Thanks.

mshappy

Hey Hope this helps.Taken from the BBC website.

Will I need a TV licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer?


You do not need a television licence to watch television programmes on the current version of the BBC iPlayer.
You will need to be covered by a TV licence if and when the BBC provides a feature that enables you to watch ‘live' TV programmes on any later version of BBC iPlayer, which has this option. Your TV licence for your home address will cover your use of the BBC iPlayer in your home (and outside the home if you use BBC iPlayer on a laptop or any other device which is powered solely by its own internal batteries).
A ‘live' TV programme is a programme, which is watched or recorded at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to members of the public. As a general rule, if a person is watching a programme on a computer or other device at the same time as it is being shown on TV then the programme is ‘live'. This is sometimes known as simulcasting.
You cannot currently watch ‘live' TV programmes as part of BBC iPlayer, however, we hope to offer this function in the future.

mshappy

Oh forgot to add its fine to watch DVD's too without a TV licence.

alyth

sorry,I posted and then realised I should have checked the TV licensing website - but I figured someone on this site would have been in a similar position!

Cheers, thanks for giving me that information - I'm now going to be TV free!

S0litaire

Basically if you have a TV and use it you need a licence!
But you may get away with it if you just watch DVD's

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

TV_licence_site wrote:

Do I need a TV Licence?

You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, digital box, DVD or video recorder, PC, laptop or mobile phone to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV.

If you use a digital box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.

Stephen_Leak

At present, you don't need a licence to watch time delayed "podcast" or the occasional live "simulcast" TV programs on a PC.

However, if you use a TV tuner (either an expansion card or USB device) to receive live broadcasts on your PC, you do.

Obviously, the BBC and Capita (the TV licence agency) are all for routine live transmission of programs over the internet, as it will allow them (they hope) to charge all PC owners with broadband internet access. If they can get the internet classified as a broadcast medium, then the argument that you don't use it to download live programmes will be as useless as saying that you don't use your TV to watch BBC1 or BBC2 is now.

PS. I don't have a TV: I just don't consider the content worth the licence fee. I do like film and cinema, and watch DVDs on my PC.

If you just use a TV to watch videotapes or DVDs, the TV, VCR or DVD recorder should be "de-tuned" so it cannot receive broadcast signals. However, Capita will assume that, as soon as their back is turned, you will tune it back in again.

Eventually, I plan to get a cheap analogue TV just before the local digital conversion date (when they should be cheap) and a DVD player. However, I have already steeled myself for the threatening letters from Capita, and the regular visits from their enforcement people to check my equipment (Oo, matron!).

alyth

I only found BBC I Player last weekend, hence my question in part!

Cheers, thanks for your comments on this, I appreciate it.

cajef

S0litaire wrote: »

Basically if you have a TV and use it you need a licence!

Incorrect, you only need a licence if you watch live TV broadcasts, if it is not connected to an aerial you can use it for watching DVD's, video's etc without needing to have a licence.

alyth

okay, even more stupid question - I'm assuming that if you have a TV sitting there in your sitting room, connected to a DVD player but not an aerial, then the TV licensing people cannot prosecute you? I've never rented before nor been in this situation, I'm trying to think things through before going to see somewhere before, hence the questions!

cajef

Have a read of this thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=9444489#post9444489

Stephen_Leak

In the above situation, you don't need a licence, as you aren't using the TV to receive live broadcast signals.

Unfortunately, Capita (the TV licence secret police, who assume that if you've got a TV you must be using it to receive) will still send you letters, threatening you with fines and the rest, if you don't get a licence. They may also send their people around to check what you are up to. Now, I actually have no problem with the latter: it's just their "guilty until proven innocent" attitude that needs to be changed.

This is why de-tuning it is a good idea: in a strong signal area, the circuitry of the TV itself could easily pick up enough signal to give a watchable picture without an external aerial.