TV detector vans and laptops

[allegro]

Can they detect you watching the tv on your laptop?

A few work pals and i had got a little room in work all set up for the world cup including wall chart, fridge full of ale, wide screen tv and armchairs.

This morning i received a generic letter addressed to "the occupier" from the tv license bods asking if i would need a license for the premises.

My first thoughts were to dismiss it but could do without the hefty fine so thought of using my laptop but unsure as to how the detection gear works.

Whats the general consensus?

Thanks in advance

[allegro]

escargot said:

Detector vans don't exist.

I have seem them! Escort van sized things with a white satelite type dish on the roof.

[allegro]

TEKNOPUG said:

To answer your question reqarding detection, CRT transmit certain radio-waves that can be detected (by the vans). Whether this is still the case now with LCD/Plasma tellys, laptops etc I don't know. Basically, any address that doesn't have a TV licence will be recorded as "suspicious" and they'll investigate from there.

Makes sense. You wouldn't expect a place of work to be top of their list i'm guessing.

[allegro]

Thanks guys. I suspected it worked on a database of unlicensed properties.
I even recall an ad where the van pulls up outside a house with the obvious flicker of a tv through the curtains, implying they rely on visual evidence.

Shall enjoy the world cup as planned

[allegro]

Just to clarify i brought in an old tv from home but have a laptop i use in work which connects to a router that at least 30 other people use. The internet connection is not in my name

[allegro]

TEKNOPUG said:

allegro said:

Just to clarify i brought in an old tv from home but have a laptop i use in work which connects to a router that at least 30 other people use. The internet connection is not in my name

That doesn't clarify anything!

So you do indeed have a TV on the premises and intend to watch the football on it?

What i meant to say was i have both options available to me. The tv isn't new and is a crt.