Is a TV License required if the machine isn't actually capable of showing channels?

Johnny88

Heading back to college in Dublin soon and am planning to bring an LCD TV/DVD combo up with me. There's no pipe/cable/satellite in the flat as of yet, nor does the TV have an aerial- basically it's just a DVD player with a screen at the moment. Am I right in thinking that it doesn't count as a TV and therefore doesn't need a license? Cheers:D

whiskeyman

AS it's technically a TV, you'll still need one as far as I know:

http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/08/10/story34988.asp

article:

The legal position, according to a literal reading of a clarification requested from the Department of Communications last week, is summed up in the following six points:

1. A home computer or laptop requires a TV licence if it is connected to a TV aerial and tuner, even once.

2. A television set, without an aerial, satellite or cable connection or other means of receiving a TV signal, still requires a TV licence; it is the TV box, and not the TV connection, which invokes the licence.

3. Watching RTE live over the internet does not require a TV licence on a computer, but does need a licence if viewed on an internet-connected TV set.

4. If a laptop is connected to a working Slingbox (which relays TV and video remotely), the premises in which that laptop is used requires a TV licence.

5. Any enclosed space where a TV is used requires a TV licence including a mobile home, caravan, motorhome, van, car or even a tent.

6. WatchingTVon a mobile phone does not require a licence.

Confused? No wonder. The line between what is a television and a computer is increasingly blurred these days. If you want to watch DVDs on a nice big screen, but don’t want to pay for a licence, a large computer monitor will get you off the hook.

But if you want a new monitor for your computer and are thinking of a cheap 21-inch LCD telly - by law, you will then need an annual TV licence, regardless of the fact that the TV monitor can’t receive a signal.

STB

The LCD has a tuner in it though ?

Yeah..... then you need a licence

homer911

Interesting to see the references to Home Computers..

About the only things that dont need a license for are (1) a personal DVD player (if thats all it does) and (2) an LCD Projector