TV Detector vans: myth or reality?
Discussion
There used to be lots of publicity about these years ago, with adverts showing stickered-up Ford Transits intended to frighten you into paying up for a licence. "TV Detector vans are operating in your area" was the claim. Well I never saw one. Was it all a load of bull, or did they really have the technology and resources to go round snooping like MI5 evesdroppers? Have you ever seen one?
I guess these days you would need to prove that you don't have a telly or such device, rather than the BBC proving that you do.
I guess these days you would need to prove that you don't have a telly or such device, rather than the BBC proving that you do.
Myth. Been discussed many times before.
With this thread now sorted, I would delete it
Otherwise, follows will be anecdotes of those not paying licence fees whilst a student, how to stop licencing people entering your property etc. Ultimately, it will end up a big debate about how people resent paying licence fees, don't watch BBC, think all TV is crap, can they watch TV on the internet without one (not if being shown live BTW) with the end result in many wanting the downfall of the government http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk
With this thread now sorted, I would delete it
Otherwise, follows will be anecdotes of those not paying licence fees whilst a student, how to stop licencing people entering your property etc. Ultimately, it will end up a big debate about how people resent paying licence fees, don't watch BBC, think all TV is crap, can they watch TV on the internet without one (not if being shown live BTW) with the end result in many wanting the downfall of the government http://www.tvlicensing.co.ukDon't think there's ever been a case in court for non payment of TV license where evidence from "TV detector vans" has been submitted, so by my wreckoning, they're a myth.
The only way they can get you is if you're stupid enough to let them into the house, and be either watching TV, or have and aerial plugged in and the TV tuned in to all the channels. It's legal to own a TV and not pay the fee if you're not using it to watch live broadcast TV.
The only way they can get you is if you're stupid enough to let them into the house, and be either watching TV, or have and aerial plugged in and the TV tuned in to all the channels. It's legal to own a TV and not pay the fee if you're not using it to watch live broadcast TV.
ks, but I couldn't be absolutely sure.kambites said:
I think there's a (small) possibility that they could detect the EM radiation signature of a conventional CRT TV watching a broadcast station, but as far as I can see there's absolutely nothing they could do about modern TVs.
Supposedly yes they can detect if a screen is on, but that is not proof you're watching a broadcast. muffinmenace said:
kambites said:
I think there's a (small) possibility that they could detect the EM radiation signature of a conventional CRT TV watching a broadcast station, but as far as I can see there's absolutely nothing they could do about modern TVs.
Supposedly yes they can detect if a screen is on, but that is not proof you're watching a broadcast. I doubt they'd ever be that accurate through the side of a van and a brick wall, though. If they had direct line of sight through one of your windows it might work, but then they could just use their eyes anyway.
KingNothing said:
Don't think there's ever been a case in court for non payment of TV license where evidence from "TV detector vans" has been submitted, so by my wreckoning, they're a myth.
The only way they can get you is if you're stupid enough to let them into the house, and be either watching TV, or have and aerial plugged in and the TV tuned in to all the channels. It's legal to own a TV and not pay the fee if you're not using it to watch live broadcast TV.
In a nutshell.The only way they can get you is if you're stupid enough to let them into the house, and be either watching TV, or have and aerial plugged in and the TV tuned in to all the channels. It's legal to own a TV and not pay the fee if you're not using it to watch live broadcast TV.
MadMark911 said:
Probably easier to check the database for a nuclei of "non payers" and then go knocking on doors ... 
Ditto.End of.
TV detector vans are NOT a myth, its just there were only ever 1 or 2 functioning vans, and they didn't work that well.
Nowadays, its just a huge database with a list of addresses where you don't have a TV license. They chance their arm that you have a TV and knock at the door. I know because I didn't have a TV license when I was at university and a man came around claiming that the detector van detected one in my room. I didn't own a TV at the time. Everyone in our halls of residence got a call at one time or another, even though we only had 1 TV in the communal area which was licensed.
Nowadays, its just a huge database with a list of addresses where you don't have a TV license. They chance their arm that you have a TV and knock at the door. I know because I didn't have a TV license when I was at university and a man came around claiming that the detector van detected one in my room. I didn't own a TV at the time. Everyone in our halls of residence got a call at one time or another, even though we only had 1 TV in the communal area which was licensed.
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