37 replies to this topic

[mike49]

for a PC TV adapter thingy, so you can watch TV on a laptop...
anyone? cheeeeeeeeeeeeers, Mike

[Holly]

yes

[v8mini]

your receiving signals and viewing the images so I'd say yes.

[Timtom]

I was about to say something like 'Probably.. But i dunno' Which isn't very helpful...

So i thought i'd actually go look and give a proper answer!. Crazy huh..

So here it is!

Before you ask, if you're using a PC card to watch UK broadcast TV, you'll need a TV licence, under the Communications Act 2003, - The TV Licensing site states: "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".

Taken from near the bottom of this page...

http://www.radioandt...k/onyourpc.html

[BoboGib]

this i where it gets a bit confusing,

you don't need one if you are watching it whilst using the laptop battery


however,

you do need one if the laptop is plugged into the mains while you are using it.

[v8mini]

this i where it gets a bit confusing,

you don't need one if you are watching it whilst using the laptop battery


however,

you do need one if the laptop is plugged into the mains while you are using it.

going by that you could have a 12v portable running off a car battery and not need a license, dont think thats right somehow.

i'm sure you also need a license if you have a TV in a camper van, but your house license covers this i think

Edited by v8mini, 12 March 2008 - 07:58 PM.

[BoboGib]

its the same with the little battery powered hand held ones you can buy. You don't need a license to use them, and last time i used one they received a tv signal.

[v8mini]

from the TV licencing web site
click for link

It makes no difference how you watch TV - whether it's on your laptop, PC or mobile phone or through a digital box, DVD recorder or TV set - if you use any device to receive television programmes as they're being shown on TV, the law requires you to be covered by a TV Licence.

[BoboGib]

well my apologies the v8mini this must have changed very recently as previously as long as the device ran off its own internal battery and was not connected to the mains then you did not require a tv license.

[roofless]

from the TV licencing web site
click for link

It makes no difference how you watch TV - whether it's on your laptop, PC or mobile phone or through a digital box, DVD recorder or TV set - if you use any device to receive television programmes as they're being shown on TV, the law requires you to be covered by a TV Licence.

Damn the BBC

[mike49]

ah really! thats pretty annoying! yeah i would have thought like in-car TV etc wouldnt require it? How would they even know?!

[mike49]

Does my parents' TV Licence cover me while I'm away at university?
Your parents' TV Licence won't cover you while you're away at university.
There is just one exception to this rule: if you only use a device that's powered solely by its own internal batteries, you will be covered by your parents' TV Licence. However, you must not install the device (e.g. plug it into the mains) when using it to receive TV.


that was straight from that site..... that will do me!

[yorkshirechris]

If you're in university halls I doubt the TV Licensing Enforcement Officers would be able to tell you're watching TV anyway unless you allow them access to the property and show them you're operating it without a license. We lived in a city centre apartment for six months and didn't even recieve any letters reminding us to buy a TV license (which we forgot to get ) probably because they just "gave up" as it's very difficult to pinpoint a signal in buildings like apartments, halls of residence, etc.

By the way that's in no way inferring or encouraging you should not get a TV license if you're operating the equipment that you need a license for...

[Dan]

As you may have gathered, if the device is solely battery powered it is counted as portable and will be covered by a licence for your personal residence. Technically it would only cover a battery operated TV at a university halls if it was the property of someone who did have a licence at another address but there's no way to prove you parents don't own it and are just letting you borrow it so they don't apply that. A device that is only trans-portable and not portable (as in must be run from the mains whether it has a carry handle or not) must be licenced wherever it is used, as must any installed or mains powered TV receiving equipment, whether you use it to receive a BBC service or not (many people have tried that one in court! ) This is not a new law, it's always been like that.

They don't scan for your TV's reflected signals (which are really weak and come from the antenna not the TV so it's not practical in a block or building or even a town with many antennae close together). Detector vans (when they were used) contained nothing more elaborate than a pair of binoculars to look for TV aerials, and a big book with a list of addresses with a licence. They just know which addresses don't have any licence and make the retailers give them the addresses of everyone who buys any kind of TV receiver.

It's not up to the BBC, they don't make the rules they just get the money. The government make the rules.

[Ethel]

So my interpretation of the info on V8's link would be that it's ok to watch 4OD or any of the other internet tv services as long as the progs aren't been broadcast live at the same time and, presumably, your could get your olds to set up a streaming video link so you could watch last nights Corrie in your student bedsit?

The telly licence is an anachronism well past its sell by date & wants scrapping. Just like road tax I'm sure it only exists to keep some civil servants in a job and to criminalise anyone who's too hard up to fork out a hundred quid plus.