TV on a personal computer

[wmsdm88]

Can you be detected by TV detector van using a TV tuner fitted in a PC?  If so, and are using the pc for normal use are you breaking the law without a TV license?

[Pinotage]

Yes - you need a licence as you have equipment capable of  TV receiving. From the TV licensing site

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.

[wmsdm88]

Thanks, I know by law, I need one but if I take my PC (with a TV card) to university can it be detected?  I dont want to take a TV to uni, but cannot remove TV card from PC.

[LeMarchand]

I believe the detectors sense any CRT type emissions (not sure about LCD screens). It works in conjunction with a databases of which households have a license, so I would assume that if they detect CRT emissions and your house doesn't have a license, they will investigate.

Surely it's not that difficult just to pull out the card?

[Skids]

LCD TVs can't be detected by standard CRT detectors, which the vans and hand held devices are. A TV detector man will investigate where they know a TV, or TV equipment, has been bought and a Licence not purchased for that address.

[Potatoman]

Its the TUNERS that can be detected - doesnt matter what screen you have. If a device can recieve TVbroadcasts, u need a licence, simple as that, and they CAN be detected.

[banana]

Personally I think its a scandal that portable TV equipment needs a licence( well, actually that ANY TV equipment needs a license) and was heartened to find that my daughters university hall had an arrangement which stated that Licensing vans/inspectors had to make an appointment before they could be allowed onto the site. This gave the students time to put their televisions away in locked cupboards for the duration.

Pull the card out .

[Closer]

Portable equipment is covered by any licence held on your main residence. Students are covered by their parents licence..or at least they used to be, in fact it used to be specifically stated on the licence.

[brachiopod]

Closer, portable equipment is only covered by a 'main residence license' if it is powered solely by batteries.

If it is, or is capable of being powered by a mains cable, you need a license for where it is in use.