Discussion
In previous houses I have always paid my TV license, but having recently moved im wondering if i have to.
So we have virgin cable and as part of the package we do receive a live TV feed into the house. However, we do not watch live TV, ever! We only ever watch Netflix or not at all, as we work long hours. We have started receiving threatening letters now..
I resent having to pay out more money (despite it only being a few hundred quid) for something I do not use. I am guessing that because I have the ability to watch live TV, even if i dont watch it - I have to pay the license?
So we have virgin cable and as part of the package we do receive a live TV feed into the house. However, we do not watch live TV, ever! We only ever watch Netflix or not at all, as we work long hours. We have started receiving threatening letters now..
I resent having to pay out more money (despite it only being a few hundred quid) for something I do not use. I am guessing that because I have the ability to watch live TV, even if i dont watch it - I have to pay the license?
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 26th February 12:09
See here : http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one
"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder."
"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder."
Fill in the no-need-for-a-licence declaration on the website, and they will stop sending you letters, but someone may come to visit.
In my case I invited them to come in and look at my aerial-less TV, whereupon he said, 'oh no, I don't need to come in, just had to check that you'd let me'
Edit: your case is slightly complicated by the fact that you can presumably turn the TV on and get live TV. You would be in a much better position if you could disable that in some form or other.
In my case I invited them to come in and look at my aerial-less TV, whereupon he said, 'oh no, I don't need to come in, just had to check that you'd let me'
Edit: your case is slightly complicated by the fact that you can presumably turn the TV on and get live TV. You would be in a much better position if you could disable that in some form or other.
We used to have the tv on in our shop office but decided it was a waste of money so e-mailed the authority and got a conformation number via e-mail saying they will update their records, so far we have had two threatening letters saying we need a license and they will send in the enforcement team, cannot wait for that day
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
dazzztay said:
Yes you do.
What on earth is the point of posting a bald "fact" with no explanation when actually, you're completely wrong?Just last week we had a thread about this, with detailed discussion of what does and does not require a TV licence: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
In summary, if you watch, record or delay any live broadcast on any channel through any route (including iPlayer etc), you need a TV licence. If you only watch pre-recorded programmes such as DVDs or things uploaded to iPlayer for catch-up after the end of the programme, you're fine.
steve2 said:
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
Not true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.trashbat said:
CrispyMK said:
So you was guilty until proven innocent?
Not getting drawn into this - but since you ask, as nothing was proven by either party, and I wasn't accused of anything, no, not really.steve2 said:
We used to have the tv on in our shop office {...]
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
McSam said:
ot true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.
A portable TV is defined as one which does not use mains power (i.e. batteries).A laptop watching live TV on battery power is therefore a portable TV.
A portable TV requires you to have a license at home but not necessarily where its being used (obviously).
I.E. you could use a portable TV at work and be covered by your home license.
I could be wrong on the specifics of using it in a business setting, though (i.e. is there the same issues as with PRS & music).
McSam said:
ot true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.
I don't know if it still exists, but there used to be a loop-hole to account for those weird little portable tellies that boring men used to use to watch the football at weddings/work/other inappropriate locations. Essentially, they were covered under the licence of where-ever they were last plugged in to charge the batteries - if you charged it at home then took it to work you didn't need to have a licence at work as well.I imagine that the same would apply to a laptop - if you are watching live iPlayer in a cafe somewhere then you are still covered on your home licence and all is fine. Neither you or the cafe owner will face a fine.
Whether you'd convince the courts this applies when both properties are yours is another matter. As far as I'm aware that one has not been tested.
CrispyMK said:
trashbat said:
Not getting drawn into this - but since you ask, as nothing was proven by either party, and I wasn't accused of anything, no, not really.
Didn't mean to try and provoke anything. It just really winds me up, the whole TV licencing system.If I did not have a live TV feed into my house I would not even question not paying it. But because of this I am going to call Virgin and see if they can de-activate the live feed.
If not, I will just pay the £145. Annoying, but hey!
McSam said:
dazzztay said:
Yes you do.
What on earth is the point of posting a bald "fact" with no explanation when actually, you're completely wrong?Just last week we had a thread about this, with detailed discussion of what does and does not require a TV licence: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
In summary, if you watch, record or delay any live broadcast on any channel through any route (including iPlayer etc), you need a TV licence. If you only watch pre-recorded programmes such as DVDs or things uploaded to iPlayer for catch-up after the end of the programme, you're fine.
steve2 said:
we can watch tv on a laptop as long as it is battery powered only and not plugged into the mains
Not true, assuming you mean live broadcasts. It doesn't become "not in your property" just because you didn't connect it to your wall, you need a licence to do this.Alex@POD said:
Out of genuine interest (not trying to stir anything), if you have everything in place to watch live TV, how can claiming you do not be enough? Surely if that was the case anyone with a box that accesses Iplayer and such can get away with not paying?
Jakg said:
Much the same way as you don't need a license to own a car - just to drive it.
Imagine if you have a car parked in your field, but no license. Can you imagine the traffic police locking you up because it's technically possible for you to get in the car and drive?Jakg said:
Imagine if you have a car parked in your field, but no license. Can you imagine the traffic police locking you up because it's technically possible for you to get in the car and drive?
Well, you're required to either insure or SORN your car regardless of whether you drive it anywhere or not.Gassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff