do i need a tv license in this scenario?

ThriceNightly

ThriceNightly

ThriceNightly

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32 " lcd panel just used for watching dvd and games via xbox360

no tv arial, however, i have a telewest cable point but no box/ subscription.

the panel is capable of receiving a tv picture via in-built analogue tuner and digital freeview,however, as mentioned above i have no tv arial or cable subscription.

thanks

ps no other tv's in house and no tv card on my pc.
 
I think you'll find that officially if you have equipment which is capable of recieving TV, then you need a license, whether you use it or not is irrelevant.

Sorry but i'm 99% sure you need one.
 
Yeah think if you CAN get a TV signal then you have to get a license whether your equipment is setup for it or not. It sucks, I'd love to be able to opt out of the BBC entirely :(
 
Apparently not.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp said:
If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a VCR, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) - you need a TV Licence. You are required by law to have one.
Click to expand...
 
You could take your panel to a tv repair shop and ask them to disable the tuner.. You wouldn't need a license then. Don't think you would wanna have somebody take a screwdriver to your 32" plasma though ;)
 
Going slightly off topic here. I was on the TV Licensing website, to find a definative answer for you and was amazed to see that if you are registered blind - you only have to pay half.

You have to pay for a TV License if you are blind - WTF ?!

I know it covers radio as well, but that just seems a little harsh.
 
You do NOT need a TV license just for having something in your house capable of picking up a TV/Radio reception, quoted from TV licensings page

"If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes"

If you own a TV you don't use for receiving a TV broadcast then I repeat, you do NOT need a TV license.
 
Er scrub what I said (must have missed this one) but on their site it says:

TV Licencing FAQ said:
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 need to notify us in writing that this is the case and one our Enforcement Officers may need to 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
Click to expand...

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/gethelp/faqs.jsp#link1
 
Pinkeyes said:
I was on the TV Licensing website, to find a definative answer
Click to expand...

The TVLA are not an independant source. It's very much in their interests to collect money from as many people as possible so their information will always err on the side of "you need a licence"
 
Cuchulain said:
You do NOT need a TV license just for having something in your house capable of picking up a TV/Radio reception, quoted from TV licensings page

"If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes"

If you own a TV you don't use for receiving a TV broadcast then I repeat, you do NOT need a TV license.
Click to expand...

correct. The ACTUAL offense is to watch/recieve the signal knowing you dont have a license, not the actual ownership of a television set. Owning one is ok with no license but USING one to watch broadcast signals DOES require a license.

The onus is on them to prove you are doing anything wrong, if you are not using it for tv then dont worry and dont pay anything. If they ask just say its not used to TV and they are welcome to come and look though your windows and use amazing technology to try and catch you out. They wont as you arent using it for that.

There is a lot of mis-information spread around by people about this subject... usually without knowing the actual facts.

The "tv man" has no official standing at all and has the same legal status as any of us. They are not a law enforcement agency and cannot act liek one. If they go to a judge and PROVE without a shadow of a doubt that you are using it as a TV and have no license then you can be fined.. but if you arent then you have nothing to fear and need to buy nothing.
 
kaiowas said:
The TVLA are not an independant source. It's very much in their interests to collect money from as many people as possible so their information will always err on the side of "you need a licence"
Click to expand...

Yes, I never said I found the answer ;)

I did get that impression though - very vague on that website. If you don't even own a TV, it wouldn't leave you much confidence as to whether you needed one or not :)
 
AtreuS said:
correct. The ACTUAL offense is to watch/recieve the signal knowing you dont have a license, not the actual ownership of a television set. Owning one is ok with no license but USING one to watch broadcast signals DOES require a license.
Click to expand...

Makes a lot of sense to me.

I understood it that they can only fine you if they catch you watching a TV programme without a license. Hence the detector van. They wouldn't know either way if you have your TV de-tuned or not.
 
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