TV for DVD's only - do I need a licence

[ali_alic]

We have a second home and want to put one of our spare TVs in there for use with DVD's only. I have in my mind that we need a licence irrespective of whether we are gonna watch TV, but my other half says no - we are using the TV as a monitor only so therefore no licence. I say that the TV is TV and as such is capable of receiving TV so therefore it is not a monitor!! etc etc etc

We are going round in circles. Can anyone shed any light?

ta

[jake-the-peg]

If the TV has a tuner and is therefore capable of receiving a signal you need a license.

You can get around this by using a PC. Many LCD screens will take a PC signal and you could run your DVDs on that

[ali_alic]

Thanks Jake - its just that we wanted to utilise the spare TV. Looks like I was right, some compensation I suppose!!

[Hamish]

You do not need a licence if the TV is untuned and you only watch bought DVDs. A friend of mine did this. They keep cecking on you though!

[homerthegrea]

i think jake is right if it has a capability then you need a license, also if you have a radio you will need a tv license - if in any way you can receive a bbc production via tv or radio you need a license

[ali_alic]

homer - are you sure? A licence purely for a radio. I suppose I've never really thought about it as I assume the radio is covered under your telly licence, so its never been an issue. My God - they get you all ways!!

[jake-the-peg]

The radio license was discontinued quite a long time ago I think.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/licencefee/

If your other half needs convincing:
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/index .jsp

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.

[Whickerman]

If you're in Ireland - suppose you're not? - you need a licence if you own a tv, regardless of modifications.

[heathfield]

Radio licences were phased out when transistor radios the size of a mobile phone came in. They just couldn't keep track of them, so gave up trying to collect.
Your TV licence is to allow you to operate a 'television broadcast receiving apparatus'. If your TV is for video only, it doesn't count. BUT! When the TV police call at your door, you must be able to convince them that you don't watch live TV on it. They're a cynical lot, and not having an aerial connected simply won't do. What you really need to do is disable live TV reception. Get inside the TV back cover and cut the connection between the antenna socket and the tuner unit, (a small rectangular metal box that the cable runs to). If they call, you can show them the connection is cut, and they'll accept that as proof that things are as you say. It's a palaver, and I look forward to the day when TV licences are done away with.

[tellboy]

I used to work in Ireland (Eire) regularly. They were all tuned up to BBC with fairly big aerials. Who are they paying then ?