Computer - Television - license

Marty_J

What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence?

You do not need a TV Licence if you only use your TV to watch videos and DVDs or as a monitor for your games console.

However, please notify us in writing that this is the case. One of our Enforcement Officers may visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence.

Please write to us including your name, address and the reason you believe that you don't need a licence at:

TV Licensing
Bristol
BS98 1TL

According to the same website however, you do need a licence to watch the BBC news channel online.

Blacksheep1979

CHR15 wrote: »

It's completely false comments like that which is leading to all the confusion in this post.

You DO NOT need a licence for a computer MONITOR because it HAS NO RECEIVER.

You NEED a licence for an LCD TV (which outwardly looks identical) BECAUSE IT HAS A RECEIVER.

That is why, when you BUY a TV you MUST BY LAW fill out a TV Licensing form which has your address on it.

someones talking b0ll0cks....

http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.transversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2fEntry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMetafaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensingInfo%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a134832%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=U9M7FMC0HH0Q5C0IQ9MLU31FA2

thats for games consoles and dvd's etc

and exactly what the op asked (iplayer)

http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.transversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2fEntry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMetafaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensingInfo%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138369%3a0&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24general&id=U9M7FMC0HH0Q5C0IQ9MLU31FA2

weegie.geek

Marty_J wrote: »

According to the same website however, you do need a licence to watch the BBC news channel online.

I'd imagine that's because it's broadcast live, albeit over IP.

If it were possible to watch old stuff (old news? I guess there's proper shows like Click etc) over iplayer, you wouldn't need a license for it.

screamager123

littleowl wrote: »

With my television license due for renewal in the near future I am wondering whether I can do without it.

It has become increasingly obvious over the last year that I rarely watch more than one programme a night - plus the news. This does not seem to me to be a good return for the cost of television license fee (and I can listen to the news on the radio - much nicer!) Without getting into a debate regarding the paucity of programme offerings by all the channels, and with the advent of BBC iplayer et al, perhaps it is possible to eschew the license altogether?

I can watch iplayer, 4OD etc on the computer but can I also watch them on a television set? It really doesn't matter to me whether I watch in real time or the day after. However, I don't particularly want to sit at my desk in an evening to watch recorded programmes. I would prefer the comfort of a sofa in the living room.

So- is there a way that I can watch programmes on the television streamed from the computer the day after they are aired? If so - would that mean I would not need a television license?

You got for it mate! Bin that TV licence! Why pay for something you are not using! I think the future of IPTV is going to pose huge questions for TV licencing. Hopefully it will within 20 years kill off the licence fee and the BBC...

Ice_2

littleowl wrote: »

My original point was that I watch relatively little television and find that paying an ever increasing license fee rather a strain. I am not trying to circumvent the law just wondering whether it is possible to use the computer to watch iPlayer and 4OD on a television set linked to a computer rather just on the computer itself.

No states on the back of my Licence that if you use at computer you still need to get a Licence...:D
and as you are still watching tv even if its just alittle bit...

weegie.geek

Ice wrote: »

No states on the back of my Licence that if you use at computer you still need to get a Licence...:D
and as you are still watching tv even if its just alittle bit...

It'll mean if you use a TV card in your PC you still need it. Iplayer etc is exempt.

bristol_pilot

You can watch streamed i-player etc from your computer on your TV if you want but you may well be disappointed with the quality of the picture. I bought the required video and audio cables - only cost about £13 - but the process really shows up how TVs are much poorer quality display devices than computer monitors. The sound wasn't that great either.

Marty_J

screamager123 wrote: »

You got for it mate! Bin that TV licence! Why pay for something you are not using! I think the future of IPTV is going to pose huge questions for TV licencing. Hopefully it will within 20 years kill off the licence fee and the BBC...

Nope, the BBC have said that if a significant number of people stop getting TV licences and only watch on their computers, they'll seek to have the Communications Act amended.

buglawton

People are willing to pay a license if they think it's a fair system. Pensioners get a free licence, all well & good. But students who used to be covered at home by their parents' license are suddenly expected to pay a full license just for one (not very well off) person. So lot dodge it while still watching TV. When I was a student I had very little time to watch TV though a couple of hours a week might have been nice. But I did not bother owning a set as a licence would have been a couple of weeks rent money. Silly me for being honest! It is clear that their should be strongly discounted licenses for poorer+single persons, then the TV licence might not have such a bad name for itself.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

get out!! tell you what, lets make Gas, Elec, Mortgages, petrol, hell everything cheaper for those that dont have as much money..

There's already soooo much wrong with the benefits system without making services cheaper and making those benefits stretch even further.. Anyway, thats another topic, just couldnt let it go!

OP - IF you are only going to do as you suggest you do not need a license, HOWEVER i suspect that they'll be a film / documentary here and there that you'll want to catch / record over the course of the year.. Dont argue with yourself that you dont need a license because you dont watch MUCH tv, you need to watch NO tv.

Personal question, without knowing taste/age ... do you never have friends around even once in a blue moon and just veg in front of the tv etc?

'Ooooops sry guys, 4OD is just buffering, picture will be back in a sec'