TV license! [Archive] - Ubuntu Forums

DrMega

November 4th, 2008, 11:01 PM

I live in the U.S. so this doesn't apply here. But my question is if you don't own a TV, but have a computer and watch videos online like YouTube...do you still have to pay for a license?

You have to have a TV license if you use any of the BBC's services in the UK, or have receiving equipment for their TV broadcasts.

I bought a TV in England for PS3. In few days they sent me a letter and form to pay license. Then I replied them that I am going to use this TV only for games. If you use TV for gaming purpose, you dont need to pay license.

That's not true. If the TV licensing people told you that, then you were lucky enough to speak to someone that didn't know the rules.

If you have a TV or other equipment which is capable of receiving the BBC's broadcasts, even if you never even connect it to an ariel/cable, you still need a licence.

Does the TV license cover the whole house/apartment/flat..or for each TV?

You need one licence per household. If you have a big house which is divided into seperate flats, then each flat needs its own licence.

Basically, the TV licensing agency has a database of every UK household, and every license payer. Every now and then they cross reference the two and send out harrassing letters threating fines to all the households that don't have a licence, even if you tell them you don't have a TV. A colleague of mine even had a situation where the TV licensing people tried to take his deceased father in law to court for not renewing his licence, even though my colleague told them in writing and by phone that the ex-licensee was deceased. For nearly a year after my colleagues father-in-law had died, he would still find more and more threatening letters every time he went to the house to check the post.

x0as

November 4th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Don't have one & don't plan on getting one either.

Namtabmai

November 4th, 2008, 11:14 PM

You have to have a TV license if you use any of the BBC's services in the UK, or have receiving equipment for their TV broadcasts.

That's not true. If the TV licensing people told you that, then you were lucky enough to speak to someone that didn't know the rules.

If you have a TV or other equipment which is capable of receiving the BBC's broadcasts, even if you never even connect it to an ariel/cable, you still need a licence.

Really? You may want to contact the TV licensing people and correct them then,

What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a134832%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)
Will I need a TV Licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138369%3a3&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24general&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)
Do I need a TV Licence to listen to the radio? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138368%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)

Basically no to all those questions unless you happen to be watching a "live" programme on the BBC iPlayer.

I-75

November 4th, 2008, 11:26 PM

New Zealand dropped TV license fees some years ago. The Govt opted to fund public broadcasting from the consolidated funds from general taxation. A far more efficient way .

We have PBS (Public Broadcasting System) here in the U.S., it is commercial free,tax payer funded (with extra money coming from grants from major corporations and viewer pledge drives) and the content generally has a educational bent to it. They do show some programs from the U.K from time to time.

majabl

November 4th, 2008, 11:45 PM

If you watch things on the BBC iPlayer for example - without a TV license they can actually take legal action

Are you sure? I recall reading that a TV licence is only required to receive television programmes as they are broadcast. Because iPlayer's mostly on a delay (I think there are only some sports events broadcast on iPlayer as they are broadcast on TV), no licence is required.

(Yep - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/01/iplayer_does_not_require_a_tv_1.html )

And in response to the original poster, I don't buy a TV license but I do buy a TV licence. I don't so much mind, because I like not having adverts, and rarely watch much on TV that's not on the BBC.

lukjad

November 4th, 2008, 11:48 PM

I don't pay for TV license, because I don't watch TV :)
+1
There's nothing good on, anyway.

DrMega

November 4th, 2008, 11:50 PM

Really? You may want to contact the TV licensing people and correct them then,

What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a134832%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)
Will I need a TV Licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138369%3a3&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24general&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)
Do I need a TV Licence to listen to the radio? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138368%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)

Basically no to all those questions unless you happen to be watching a "live" programme on the BBC iPlayer.

I stand corrected. They must have have changed the rules since I last read them (about 20 years ago:) ).

I like the bit where they basically answer that you don't need a license in certain situations, but you have to tell them so they can send round one of their enforcement officers to come and check.

ice60

November 4th, 2008, 11:52 PM

If you watch things on the BBC iPlayer for example - without a TV license they can actually take legal action

you are misinformed, you absolutely are allowed to use the iplayer without a tv licence. the licence may pay for the bandwidth and iplayer website, but you don't need a tv licence to use the iplayer.

ice60

November 5th, 2008, 12:00 AM

i would never pay the licence, the thought of my money helping pay people like j. ross, clarkson and that little guy would be enough to drive me crazy, so i have no option - i can't pay it.

NovaAesa

November 5th, 2008, 12:15 AM

TV Licenses have been abolished in Australia. You need another option on the poll (don't need a license, I think this would apply to US as well), also should be radio buttons rather that checkboxes :P

gn2

November 5th, 2008, 12:19 AM

mendozaro

November 5th, 2008, 12:28 AM

I dont like to pay the %$^#@ license, but i do pay it.

My whife is a tv addict.

Namtabmai

November 5th, 2008, 12:30 AM

Remember The FAQ answer states "One of our Enforcement Officers may visit you to confirm that you do not need a licence" if he finds that there is a coax cable leading to an aerial, or an indoor aerial is present, you'll need a TV Licence.

An indoor aerial possibly, but they can't force you to remove a tv aerial from the property.

Besides that's assuming you let them in the door anyway, why would you?

SuperSonic4

November 5th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Does the TV license cover the whole house/apartment/flat..or for each TV?

It covers a "residence". For most people this is their house but it could be a communal area like a common room or old folks home or a student flat.

Personally I don't mind the licence (my parents pay anyway :p), it lets the BBC show decent programming (such as the sky at night) instead of having to rely on commercially viable programming such as the shite you get on the commercial channels.

Namtabmai

November 5th, 2008, 12:45 AM

It covers a "residence". For most people this is their house but it could be a communal area like a common room or old folks home or a student flat.

Unless you live in a communal property with individual contracts where you'll each need a TV license for each person with a TV in their room, and/or a license for the TV in the communal area. Note, if you only have one TV in the communal area you'll only need one license.

gn2

November 5th, 2008, 01:32 AM

~ they can't force you to remove a tv aerial from the property.

Correct, but if you have a TV aerial fitted in the property, you'll need to have a TV Licence and they do have power to send you to jail if you continue to refuse to buy one.

Richyml

November 5th, 2008, 01:46 AM

I hate having to pay for a TV Licence with all the rubbish that they put out, it's like paying Road Tax & Council Tax, you never see anything good done with the money!

I-75

November 5th, 2008, 03:54 AM

I hate having to pay for a TV Licence with all the rubbish that they put out, it's like paying Road Tax & Council Tax, you never see anything good done with the money!

What is a council tax?

Here (in the U.S) we have Federal income taxes, State Income taxes, property taxes (including cars and trucks here in KY), sales tax when you purchase some things from the store. Gas/Petrol taxes are collected at the pump and figured in automatically. In parts of the U.S. we have toll roads and toll bridges.

Then there are business taxes which can vary from state to state.

Namtabmai

November 5th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Correct, but if you have a TV aerial fitted in the property, you'll need to have a TV Licence and they do have power to send you to jail if you continue to refuse to buy one.

No, no they can't. Please stop spreading this misinformation as it only serves to confuse others like yourself.

smoker

November 5th, 2008, 11:36 AM

imo, it's about time the bbc was made to stand on it's own two feet instead of relying on the taxpayer, and the way it's operating lately, it is only a matter of time before there is a real public and political backlash against it.

this may interest some: BBCresistance and TV licensing
http://www.tvlicensing.biz/

t0p

November 5th, 2008, 12:22 PM

Personally I don't mind the licence (my parents pay anyway :p), it lets the BBC show decent programming (such as the sky at night) instead of having to rely on commercially viable programming such as the shite you get on the commercial channels.

I don't think anyone's disputing the fact that the BBC need money. That's pretty obvious. The question is: why should the BBC be funded by a TV license in particular? Many countries fund their public television service through a provision of general taxation. Why is a TV license better than that?

Many people have complained over the years that the TV licensing system is, in practice, arbitrary and unfair. You've read stories in this very thread about dead people being sent threatening letters, and other people paying for a license they don't legally need because the rules are (deliberately) unclear.

Let's suppose I don't need a license, either because I don't own a TV or because I don't watch programming... Why is it okay for the licensing authorities to send me threatening mail every year, and for them to send officers to my house who demand to come in and search my house? Is that how the BBC wants to get its money?

The TV license is evil, and every one of you who pays for one is contributing to the pain and suffering of innocents.

Seriously!

beercz

November 5th, 2008, 12:27 PM

I would rather pay a tv licence than watch loads of adverts.

And in the UK I think we get fantastic value from our tv licence from our commercial free BBC - TV (7 channels), Radio (7 national channels, lots of local channels and specialist channels), huge Website (in terms of content, 2nd largest in the world after NASA I read somewhere, includes iPlayer) and a fantastic news service too boot - BBC is the envy of the world.

t0p

November 5th, 2008, 12:28 PM

it's like paying Road Tax & Council Tax, you never see anything good done with the money!

Road tax and council tax go to central government. Government then spends its money on various things, including funding road repairs and council funding. When your local authority houses homeless babies and fixes potholes so you don't crash and burn in your car, something good is being done with the money.

Or would you rather that the government used this cash to send you on an all-inclusive break to Sandals, Jamaica? That would be "good". But then the homeless babies would have to die just so you can drink pina coladas in the sun.

smoker

November 5th, 2008, 12:36 PM

I would rather pay a tv licence than watch loads of adverts.

there are a lot of ads on the bbc (though not breaks in shows), only they're advertising their own products and shows, and, of course, threatening with the licence dodger crap!

tarps87

November 5th, 2008, 01:03 PM

Really? You may want to contact the TV licensing people and correct them then,

What if I only use a TV to watch videos/DVDs/as a monitor for my games console? Do I still need a licence? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a134832%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)
Will I need a TV Licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138369%3a3&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24general&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)
Do I need a TV Licence to listen to the radio? (http://tvlicensing.metafaq.com/templates/tvlicensing/main/answerPage?_mftvst:answerRef=%24http%3a%2f%2fapi.t ransversal.com%2fmfapi%2fobjectref%2fEntryStore%2f Entry%2fhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.metafaq.com%2fmfapi%2fMet afaq%2fClients%2ftvlicensing%2fModules%2flicensing Info%2fTopics%2fgeneral%3a138368%3a4&_mftvst:moduleID=%24licensingInfo&_mftvst:topicID=%24&id=LJ93SC8P1D2IV5Q9CL7EALC3I2)

Basically no to all those questions unless you happen to be watching a "live" programme on the BBC iPlayer.

This has changed a lot, you use to need one even if you brought a tv and remove the tuner so it would act as a monitor

No, no they can't. Please stop spreading this misinformation as it only serves to confuse others like yourself.

They can, they can fine you for not paying the for a TV licence and take you to court for not paying the fine.
Basically if they can prove that you can watch TV you will have to pay. I know this as two years ago I was living in halls and did not want to have to pay a TV licence for only playing games on my TV. This was when they started saying you "may need a licence if you have a computer", this was stated in the letter I received, this law/rule was never passed while I was in halls and believe it has been dropped now. If they can prove you can/do watch TV they can fine you, as for how far they will go to prove you can I don't know. After informing them that I did not have a TV they said they would send someone round to check but no one did come round.

beercz

November 5th, 2008, 01:08 PM

there are a lot of ads on the bbc (though not breaks in shows), only they're advertising their own products and shows, and, of course, threatening with the licence dodger crap!

Compared to commercial broadcasters (in the UK) that's nothing. Last Sunday's F1 is a good example!!!! The amount of adverts/trailers/sponsor's messages that appeared through out that race drove me mad - spoilt my enjoyment.

I channel hop so much to avoid that crap that my remote eats batteries!

Why is the threat of catching the licence dogder crap?

stimpack

November 5th, 2008, 01:42 PM

What is a council tax?

Similar to State tax, in that it is a tax to a more local administration which may be of a different political hue to the national ruling party. The amount you pay however is based on the size of your accommodation rather than any percentage based system.

...

I would be for a small mandatory fee for TV if the channel in question was solely dedicated to quality educational programming, like Open University. But paying to support EastEnders or Jonathan Ross is unacceptable.

smoker

November 5th, 2008, 01:47 PM

Why is the threat of catching the licence dogder crap?

i meant it in the context that it is basically an advert, though not actually selling anything, but informing the viewing public that they're not going to evade this sucker! the fact is it is taking up time that some soap powder, or toothpaste, company could utilise and save the general public from paying a licence fee. i'd be quite interested in seeing some independent polls on whether the general public is at all interested in funding the bbc anymore,

hellion0

November 5th, 2008, 01:57 PM

When I head over there, I'll give up TV. Won't even keep one for games. License wha? :P

As for right now, considering my Location field, I don't have to worry about them until I get moved over to the UK.

beercz

November 5th, 2008, 02:00 PM

.... i'd be quite interested in seeing some independent polls on whether the general public is at all interested in funding the bbc anymore,
I suppose it will be down to how the public are asked.

If the public was simply asked "Would you prefer to pay the licence fee?" then I suspect most will say "No".

On the other hand if the public were asked if they would prefer the BBC to be supported by advertisements, like the commercial broadcasters (I think ITV is the worst), then I suspect the result may not be so clear cut.

That's what I think anyway.

beercz

November 5th, 2008, 02:03 PM

I would be for a small mandatory fee for TV if the channel in question was solely dedicated to quality educational programming, like Open University. But paying to support EastEnders or Jonathan Ross is unacceptable.
So, where would the line be drawn then? Top Gear? Children's programming? News and current affairs? Sport coverage? The Arts? Movies? Dramas?

I think the BBC's charter states that the BBC's content has to cater for everyone.

M_the_C

November 5th, 2008, 04:39 PM

On the other hand if the public were asked if they would prefer the BBC to be supported by advertisements, like the commercial broadcasters (I think ITV is the worst), then I suspect the result may not be so clear cut.That's what I was just thinking.

I enjoy watching films when they are on BBC channels, because there is no break. Television programmes can be arranged to fit in breaks, with films it just breaks the continuity.

jeyaganesh

November 5th, 2008, 05:21 PM

These are some FAQ from TV Licensing website of UK;

Do I need a TV Licence if I only watch programmes online?

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.

You will not need a TV Licence to view video clips on the internet, as long as what you are viewing is not being shown on TV at the same time as you are viewing it.

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 do not need a TV Licence if you only use your TV to watch videos and DVDs or as a monitor for your games console.

However, please notify us in writing that this is the case. One of our Enforcement Officers may 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.

Please refer : http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/index.jsp

As they mentioned, I sent them receipt of my PS3 and Samsung TV. But never get any reply from them.:lolflag:

jeyaganesh

November 5th, 2008, 05:27 PM

An interesting information from 'Yahoo Answers' regarding why we have to pay TV license in the UK;

David M
Basically, the licence fee (currently £135.50 per year) funds the BBC (the British Broadcasting Corporation), allowing it to provide its channels (two of which, BBC1 and BBC2 are available on terrestrial TV, with several more available on cable and satellite and regionally) FREE of advertising. 92.5% of the UK population used the BBC every month in 2006/2007.

You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, set-top boxes, video or DVD recorders, computers or mobile phones to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV. A colour TV Licence costs £135.50 and a black and white licence costs £45.50.

I cant understand that why should we fund BBC? Dont they get money from Advertisement? They even can make lot of money from their documentary and other DVDs. If TV license is only for funding BBC, it is completely ridiculous.

gn2

November 5th, 2008, 05:39 PM

No, no they can't. Please stop spreading this misinformation as it only serves to confuse others like yourself.

Yes and no.
Refuse to pay the Licence fee and you'll be fined.
Refuse to pay the fine and jail may result for non-payment of the fine.
This is well documented.

For example, Page 5 of this .pdf (http://www.bbc.co.uk/foi/docs/finance/licence_fee/TVLicensing_Annual_Review_200304.pdf)

I myself have arrested people on warrants for non-payment of TV Licence fees back in the days when I was a Police Constable.

beercz

November 5th, 2008, 05:44 PM

I cant understand that why should we fund BBC? Dont they get money from Advertisement? They even can make lot of money from their documentary and other DVDs. If TV license is only for funding BBC, it is completely ridiculous.

As far as I am aware, they don't get funding from advertisements (at least in the UK) and they also get additional revenue for selling content to other broadcasters and on media. They also buy in content from other broadcasters too.

TV licensing is not the only source of funding for the BBC, and therefore not ridiculous.

jeyaganesh

November 5th, 2008, 05:50 PM

As far as I am aware, they don't get funding from advertisements (at least in the UK) and they also get additional revenue for selling content to other broadcasters and on media. They also buy in content from other broadcasters too.

TV licensing is not the only source of funding for the BBC, and therefore not ridiculous.

Hi, thanks for your information. I dont know much about these things in the UK, as I am not originally from the UK.
Anyhow I dont watch TV.:lolflag:

beercz

November 5th, 2008, 05:55 PM

Hi, thanks for your information. I dont know much about these things in the UK, as I am not originally from the UK.
Anyhow I dont watch TV.:lolflag:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC

DrMega

November 5th, 2008, 06:08 PM

What is a council tax?

A tax we have to pay for the privilege of not being homeless, in addition to all our other taxes that we have to pay for the privilege of being alive such as income tax, road tax, road tax again (fuel duty), VAT, breath tax (OK I made that one up).

And in the UK I think we get fantastic value from our tv licence from our commercial free BBC - TV (7 channels), Radio (7 national channels, lots of local channels and specialist channels), huge Website (in terms of content, 2nd largest in the world after NASA I read somewhere, includes iPlayer) and a fantastic news service too boot - BBC is the envy of the world.

Ok, nobody can argue with that. But what about the fact that you are forced to pay for all that whether you want it or not? Despite the media hype about digital switch over, there are still areas of the UK where digital TV through an ariel is not yet available, so should people pay for services that can't get, or should they be forced to pay cable/satellite subscriptions on top of the license fee so that they can get it? What if they simply don't want it?

If someone tries to sell me 200 pots of paint for 50 quid, it might sound like a good deal, but if I only want one pot out of that 200, it suddenly becomes expensive so I walk away. The trouble with the license fee is that if you watch ANY TV broadcasts, you are suddenly obliged to fund the BBC, whether you use their services or not.

gn2

November 5th, 2008, 06:29 PM

there are still areas of the UK where digital TV through an ariel is not yet available, so should people pay for services that can't get, or should they be forced to pay cable/satellite subscriptions on top of the license fee so that they can get it? What if they simply don't want it?

Tell me about it, where I live digital terrestrial TV is a total non-starter, so I had to pay for a satellite system.

Thankfully this can be had fairly cheap these days, and there's no need to pay a monthly subscription either.

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/pay-once.aspx
http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=Home

mips

November 5th, 2008, 07:31 PM

In South Africa you also have to pay an annual TV license fee if you own a TV.

You guys in the UK actually have good TV content if you ask me compared to our crap so I would not really complain.

hessiess

November 5th, 2008, 07:43 PM

If I was living on my own, I wouldent have a tv. There's never anything worth watching any more anyway!, The new digital system that's replacing the analogue system actually looks *much* worse, its packed with MPEG compression artifacts, look at the border between shadow/no-shadow for example, airias like this normally show bad micro blocking(this is less noticeable on HD, because the 8*8 pix blocks are smaller on-screen).

blazercist

November 5th, 2008, 07:43 PM

What the hell is a TV license?

jeyaganesh

November 5th, 2008, 07:57 PM

What the hell is a TV license?

You have to pay some money per year for having and watching TV at home, it is TV license!

Colour TV = 139.50£
BW TV = 47£

mips

November 5th, 2008, 08:20 PM

The new digital system that's replacing the analogue system actually looks *much* worse, its packed with MPEG compression artifacts, look at the border between shadow/no-shadow for example, airias like this normally show bad micro blocking(this is less noticeable on HD, because the 8*8 pix blocks are smaller on-screen).

We've had digital satellite tv here for years and the picture quality is crap if you ask me due to compression. You can compare the a few channels on digital satellite vs terrestial analogue and the old analogue signal is better.

Cannot comment on HD as I have not seen it yet although it just recently became available.

blazercist

November 5th, 2008, 09:25 PM

You have to pay some money per year for having and watching TV at home, it is TV license!

Colour TV = 139.50£
BW TV = 47£

Ok, because I don't think such a thing exists in the U.S. which is why I was confused. Although I haven't used a T.V. antenna in over a decade as I've been a cable subscriber.

DrMega

November 5th, 2008, 09:31 PM

Ok, because I don't think such a thing exists in the U.S. which is why I was confused. Although I haven't used a T.V. antenna in over a decade as I've been a cable subscriber.

If you were in the UK you'd still need a licence. It doesn't only apply when you plug your telly into an ariel.

hessiess

November 5th, 2008, 09:43 PM

We've had digital satellite tv here for years and the picture quality is crap if you ask me due to compression. You can compare the a few channels on digital satellite vs terrestial analogue and the old analogue signal is better.

Cannot comment on HD as I have not seen it yet although it just recently became available.Compression isn't the whole story, DVD's for example also use MPEG compression and are relativity artefact free. The problem with digital TV seems to be a mixture of reducing bandwidth per channel to fit as many channels in as passable. and re-compressing heavily compressed formats like DV/HDV for transmission. a good example of this is the colour banding which is frequently visible on digital TV, this is not caused by a lack of colour range in the current equipment, but the extreme quantization used to fit the data into the lo bandwidth.

yet another example of the problems with digital TV, whenever there is heavy rain or a thunderstorm around here, digital TV goes completely dead. While atmospheric conditions affect the quality of analogue, ive never seen it get so bad to the point of being unwatchable.

I-75

November 5th, 2008, 09:45 PM

Tell me about it, where I live digital terrestrial TV is a total non-starter, so I had to pay for a satellite system.

Thankfully this can be had fairly cheap these days, and there's no need to pay a monthly subscription either.

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/pay-once.aspx
http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=Home

Is the government helping to pay viewers for the over the air/terrestrial digital transition as they are doing in the U.S. ? (The U.S. government is offering two $40 coupons toward the purpose of buying the new over the air/terrestrial digital converter boxes which sell in the stores between $40 and $60.)

pp.

November 5th, 2008, 09:45 PM

I've been a cable subscriber.

You pay for your cable reception, I presume?

doorknob60

November 5th, 2008, 09:46 PM

Lol what the heck is a TV license :-P Sorry for my ignorance, probably doesn't apply here in the US. EDIT: We have and pay for our Digital Cable if that's what you mean...

pp.

November 5th, 2008, 09:50 PM

Compression isn't the whole story (...) The problem with digital TV seems to be a mixture of reducing bandwidth per channel to fit as many channels in as passable. and re-compressing heavily compressed formats like DV/HDV for transmission. a good example of this is the colour banding which is frequently visible on digital TV, this is not caused by a lack of colour range in the current equipment, but the extreme quantization used to fit the data into the lo bandwidth.

What you're saying is that the transmissions are compressed too much, so that artifacts become not only obvious but prominent.

hessiess

November 5th, 2008, 10:13 PM

What you're saying is that the transmissions are compressed too much, so that artifacts become not only obvious but prominent.
Yep.

yabbadabbadont

November 5th, 2008, 11:16 PM

Lol what the heck is a TV license :-P Sorry for my ignorance, probably doesn't apply here in the US. EDIT: We have and pay for our Digital Cable if that's what you mean...

In the UK (and probably some other places) you have to buy a license for every TV that you own every year. Just like license plates for vehicles here in the US. I'm not sure, but I think that they might have to do the same for radios.

jeyaganesh

November 5th, 2008, 11:20 PM

In the UK (and probably some other places) you have to buy a license for every TV that you own every year. Just like license plates for vehicles here in the US. I'm not sure, but I think that they might have to do the same for radios.

In Germany also people have to pay license for TV and Radio!

gn2

November 5th, 2008, 11:34 PM

Is the government helping to pay viewers for the over the air/terrestrial digital transition as they are doing in the U.S. ?

There is some help but unfortunately it's not available for everyone.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/2598.aspx

blazercist

November 6th, 2008, 12:01 AM

You pay for your cable reception, I presume?

Of course I pay, but its for the service 1000 channels plus On Demand, the bill has a breakdown which doesn't mention any "License Fee"

smoker

November 6th, 2008, 12:09 AM

Of course I pay, but its for the service 1000 channels plus On Demand, the bill has a breakdown which doesn't mention any "License Fee"

the licence fee in the uk is required to be paid yearly if you have a tv, and it is to support the bbc (british broadcasting company), you have to pay it even if you don't watch any bbc tv channels!:confused:

handy

November 6th, 2008, 04:18 AM

We don't have a TV in the house.

We dislike TV with a passion.

It is a constant source of propaganda which models peoples thought & limits their attention span.

pp.

November 6th, 2008, 07:17 AM

Of course I pay, but its for the service 1000 channels plus On Demand, the bill has a breakdown which doesn't mention any "License Fee"

A duck by any other name is still a duck.

Of course, having a definable consumer and a physical connection, some of the details about gathering the cash and redistributing it among the broadcasting companies vary. The principle remains the same. So does the money even if not the amount.

majabl

November 6th, 2008, 10:57 AM

If you were in the UK you'd still need a licence. It doesn't only apply when you plug your telly into an ariel.

That's no way to be treating the Little Mermaid! :-o ;-)

lisati

November 6th, 2008, 11:01 AM

We used to pay a TV License but it was abolished over here in the colonies a few years ago (can't remember exactly when). For many years I didn't bother, figuring that the TV stations collected enough revenue from advertising (or was it 'coz I was too skint?), but had a pang of conscience when we moved and there was a reminder in the letterbox for a previous tenant of our new place.

nothingspecial

November 6th, 2008, 01:26 PM

I`d pay the license for the radio alone. I don`t watch much tv.

However a little story (excuse the *** out profanities)

Students are notorious license fee dodgers and so targeted by the license man/woman.
When I was a student (along time ago, I even got a grant), I lived with 3 others one of whom was greek. He`d never heard of a tv license. Hazy memory recalls the conversation between him and the tv licence man.

License man (ls) knock knock

Manos (my greek friend) answers

ls "Our records show you do not have a tv license"

Manos "What?"

ls "Our records show you do not have a tv license"

Manos "What license?"

ls "A tv licence"

Manos "A tv Licence?"

ls "Yes, a tv license"

Manos "What is a tv license"

ls "You need a tv licence to watch tv"

Manos "**** off"

ls "You need a tv licence to watch tv"

Manos "A f*****g license to watch tv? **** off. Its not a ****ing gun. A license to watch tv? (laughs)

ls "Yes you need a tv licence to watch tv"

Manos "Are you some kind of criminal? You come round my house to ask me for money to watch tv?"

ls "Yes, you need to pay"

Manos "I pay! I pay sky! £20 every month!"

ls "No, you need a license"

Manos "You think I`m ******g stupid! Idiot? You come round my house ask me for money to watch tv. I phone the police!"

ls "How long are you here for?"

Manos "Two months"

ls "Ok, forget it"

Me and my 2 english friends were on the floor laughing in the living room.

Like I said not exactly what happened (I was a student at the time) but it just shows how crazy it seems to the rest of the world.

sophtpaw

November 16th, 2008, 04:01 PM

200% Ditto that...

tuxsheadache

November 16th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Personally paying £140 for two channels is ridiculous. While there is content online I will never pay for a TV license.

getaboat

November 16th, 2008, 08:34 PM

We have Sky+ - which means 100s of channels of pure sh*te. It's bad enough having to pay for it (for the rest of the family) without having to watch it.

When I do scrape myself away from my PC it will invariably be BBC2 or BBC4 - occasionally Channel 4 (and OK MOTD on Sunday am in bed!).

The TV licence fee is good value for the programmes I do watch and for the excellent and IMHO not bettered BBC online presence.

If they could just get BBCi player to be the same on Linux as it is on Windows and for the Channel 4 equivalent to even work on Linux I might never have to sit the lounge again.

smoker

November 16th, 2008, 11:37 PM

you have the option to pay or not pay for sky, you don't have an option with a tv licence. i rarely watch anything at all on the bbc, and would gladly give up anything broadcast by the bbc if it meant not having to pay the licence, imo, the bbc produces very little of quality for the money it receives. if you could choose a tv with, or without, an option to receive bbc broadcasts, the one without having no obligation to buy a licence, i think i know what tv sets would sell best :-)

gn2

November 17th, 2008, 12:16 AM

If they could just get BBCi player to be the same on Linux as it is on Windows

This (http://linuxcentre.net/getiplayer/documentation/) will go some way towards (beyond?) that.

macogw

November 17th, 2008, 06:38 AM

Well, I don't own a TV, and even if I did, there's no such thing as a TV license in the US. You buy cable if you want good channels. If you just want the Channel 4 News, you use the TV's built-in antenna.

getaboat

November 17th, 2008, 09:25 PM

This (http://linuxcentre.net/getiplayer/documentation/) will go some way towards (beyond?) that.

Whoo-hoo!

nothingspecial

November 17th, 2008, 09:37 PM

People are still missing the radio angle.
I don`t watch tv, its rubbish. But the radio content is second to none. I gladly pay the tv license for the radio.

Friday night comedy (R4) makes me laugh as does Mark Kermodes film reviews (R5Live). I`d much rather listen to " In Our Time" than watch Panorama.

You take away he license fee, you take away the radio.

smoker

November 17th, 2008, 11:13 PM

People are still missing the radio angle.
I don`t watch tv, its rubbish. But the radio content is second to none. I gladly pay the tv license for the radio.

unless i'm reading wrong, you don't need a licence for a radio anymore!
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

mips

November 17th, 2008, 11:20 PM

unless i'm reading wrong, you don't need a licence for a radio anymore!
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index.jsp

Radio licenses were abolished in most places that had them some time after tv came out and was incorporated into the tv license fee. It's kinda like cross-subsidation.

jeyaganesh

November 18th, 2008, 12:30 AM

TV on mobile phone

FAQ: I haven't got a TV. I watch telly on my laptop.
It makes no difference how you watch telly - whether it's on your laptop, PC or mobile phone:lolflag: or through a digital box, DVD recorder or good old-fashioned 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 licence.

No license for radios:

FAQ: Do I need a TV License to listen to the radio?

No. You do not need a TV License to listen to the radio.

No license needs to download or watch BBC iplayer videos

FAQ: Will I need a TV Licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer?

If you use the BBC iPlayer to watch TV programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV (live) then you will need to be covered by a valid TV Licence.

If you use the BBC iPlayer to watch BBC programmes after they have been broadcast - either to download, or via streaming 'on demand' you will not need a TV Licence.