TV License - do I need to renew?

Zynks

We used to subscribe to Virgin tv services. Last year we decided to get rid of Virgin's TV service and we now have none, whether satellite, cable or saorview - we have an old tv (old analogue tuner only) used for Netflix and game console.

What we can't figure out is whether we need to pay for a TV license since technically we have a tv, though it is unable to receive any tv service.

Also, if we don't need a license, how do we get those annoying license payment demand letters to stop? thanks.

endacl

You have an appliance capable of receiving a broadcast signal. Yes, you are indeed required to have a license for it.

It's mad altogether, Ted.

mass_debater

endacl wrote: »

You have an appliance capable of receiving a broadcast signal. Yes, you are indeed required to have a license for it.

It's mad altogether, Ted.

I'd love to argue otherwise, it's not capable or receiving Saorview, therefore is a monitor, not aTV

Zynks

Even if the tv signals in Ireland (digital) don't cater for that tv (analogue)?

I have a potato that does as much with Saorview signal as my tv does...

brian_t

endacl wrote: »

It's mad altogether, Ted.

TV Licence Question?

Harry Palmr

If you have a TV set then you need a licence - it doesn't matter if it cannot pick up a signal directly as it can be used for cable, sat or indeed DTT via a box at the moment you decide to hook it up to one.

ScumLord

Zynks wrote: »

Also, if we don't need a license, how do we get those annoying license payment demand letters to stop? thanks.

They never stop. They just send them to ever house and wait for people to bite. I don't even reply to tell them a I don't have a TV.

You could just sell off the TV and buy a big monitor, another option would be projector but they're a pain in the hole. Because the monitor can't receive a TV signal on it's own it's not covered by the TV license. Get a little dongle for streaming TV services if you can't connect up your laptop or PC.

Monitors can be more expensive at big sizes, however you have to bare in mind they can have higher resolutions and have a longer lifespan than a TV.

pickarooney

What's the legal difference between a television and a monitor?

iLikeWaffles

Zynks wrote: »

We used to subscribe to Virgin tv services. Last year we decided to get rid of Virgin's TV service and we now have none, whether satellite, cable or saorview - we have an old tv (old analogue tuner only) used for Netflix and game console.

What we can't figure out is whether we need to pay for a TV license since technically we have a tv, though it is unable to receive any tv service.

Also, if we don't need a license, how do we get those annoying license payment demand letters to stop? thanks.

Listen to the Radio?

Zynks

brian_t wrote: »

TV Licence Question?

Thanks, good link. I would have spotted that in my search if I had used licenCe.

Still, the issue remains inconclusive in that thread from an analogue tv perspective. It does however, point to the broadcasting Act 2009 section 140 that says

“ television set ” means any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception
(whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction with it) and any software or assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus;

From that I think I can conclude that an old TV with an analogue tuner is not legally a TV because it is not capable of receiving OR exhibiting any Irish television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception nor do I possess anything else that in conjunction with tv would become capable of receiving any television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception.

The whole thing is ambiguous though and it sounds like the definition for a tv could be played with at will.

Edit: could be played at will by a decision maker/judge.

Sleeper12

mass_debater wrote:

I'd love to argue otherwise, it's not capable or receiving Saorview, therefore is a monitor, not aTV

It has a tuner therefore you need a tv license. Back in the day when xtraVision had hundreds of outlets they got all of the tuners removed from their tv's. You can do the same and get the tuner removed. You can still use the scart or other connections for PlayStation etc

Fr Tod Umptious

Zynks wrote: »

Thanks, good link. I would have spotted that in my search if I had used licenCe.

Still, the issue remains inconclusive in that thread from an analogue tv perspective. It does however, point to the broadcasting Act 2009 section 140 that says



From that I think I can conclude that an old TV with an analogue tuner is not legally a TV because it is not capable of receiving OR exhibiting any Irish television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception nor do I possess anything else that in conjunction with tv would become capable of receiving any television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception.

The whole thing is ambiguous though and it sounds like the definition for a tv could be played with at will.

Edit: could be played at will by a decision maker/judge.

But you can always go down to the shop and buy something that makes the TV capable of receiving any television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception.

LeinsterDub

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

But you can always go down to the shop and buy something that makes the TV capable of receiving any television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception.

Same with any projector or monitor.

Atlantic Dawn

If you have Virgin broadband you have access to the 15 or so analogue channels on the system, either way once as was said you have a device capable of receiving you have to pay.

Occono

Harry Palmr wrote: »

If you have a TV set then you need a licence - it doesn't matter if it cannot pick up a signal directly as it can be used for cable, sat or indeed DTT via a box at the moment you decide to hook it up to one.

I have a monitor, and once I informed the TV license department about it they didn't follow up.

Zynks

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

If you have Virgin broadband you have access to the 15 or so analogue channels on the system, either way once as was said you have a device capable of receiving you have to pay.

I can see how the availability of this analogue signal would mess things up. I will test to see if we have that signal at home. If we do i am dumping that tv and getting a monitor.

Sleeper12

Zynks wrote:

I can see how the availability of this analogue signal would mess things up. I will test to see if we have that signal at home. If we do i am dumping that tv and getting a monitor.

It doesn't matter if you have virgin tv. The issue is that your tv can pick up these signals if you subscribe to virgin tv at a later date. If your tv or desktop for that matter has a tuner then you need a license. I suggest getting a monitor and dumping the tv