Massive price hike for DVRs from new EU tax.

From Advanced-Television.Com ...

http://www.advanced-television.com/2...3_jun27.htm#t3

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TV set-top makers to challenge EC ruling

STB makers and pay-TV platforms are considering legal action against the
European Commission after a tax ruling left many of them facing millions
of pounds in unexpected costs. Basic set-top boxes, which are classified
as communications devices, are exempt from tax when imported into the
European Union. But a change to the rules last month means any box with
a hard disc drive or Ethernet connection will be treated as a recording
device, which is liable for tax at 13.9 per cent.

A reclassification of digital video recorders such as the Sky+ box,
could cost BSkyB alone £15 million (E18m) a year from next month.
Charges covering the past three years could force the company to pay
another £25 million-£30 million.

Pay-TV operators including BSkyB, UPC and Sky Italia have joined
manufacturers including Thomson and Pace to mount a challenge.

The companies are considering an appeal to the European Court of
Justice, or through the World Trade Organisation. The new rules have
already triggered a dispute with the US trade department, which has
started a formal consultation

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Terry

Terry Casey wrote:
From Advanced-Television.Com ...

http://www.advanced-television.com/2...3_jun27.htm#t3

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TV set-top makers to challenge EC ruling

Here we go again. I've lost count of the times the industry has moaned
about one thing or another to do with the EU.

Excuse me if I have no sympathy for large wealthy organisation that rape
the Earth's natural resources, indirectly fund wars over these same
resources and use third world child labour so we can buy a Freeview box
for 15 quid.

Ah diddums.

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:15:56 +0100, Terry Casey
wrote:

From Advanced-Television.Com ...

http://www.advanced-television.com/2...3_jun27.htm#t3

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TV set-top makers to challenge EC ruling

STB makers and pay-TV platforms are considering legal action against the
European Commission after a tax ruling left many of them facing millions
of pounds in unexpected costs. Basic set-top boxes, which are classified
as communications devices, are exempt from tax when imported into the
European Union. But a change to the rules last month means any box with
a hard disc drive or Ethernet connection will be treated as a recording
device, which is liable for tax at 13.9 per cent.

A reclassification of digital video recorders such as the Sky+ box,
could cost BSkyB alone £15 million (E18m) a year from next month.
Charges covering the past three years could force the company to pay
another £25 million-£30 million.

Pay-TV operators including BSkyB, UPC and Sky Italia have joined
manufacturers including Thomson and Pace to mount a challenge.

The companies are considering an appeal to the European Court of
Justice, or through the World Trade Organisation. The new rules have
already triggered a dispute with the US trade department, which has
started a formal consultation

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terry

Is supporting European industry in the face of what some may see as
unfair competition all bad?

"Silk" wrote in message
...
Terry Casey wrote:
From Advanced-Television.Com ...

http://www.advanced-television.com/2...3_jun27.htm#t3

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TV set-top makers to challenge EC ruling

Here we go again. I've lost count of the times the industry has moaned
about one thing or another to do with the EU.

Excuse me if I have no sympathy for large wealthy organisation that rape
the Earth's natural resources, indirectly fund wars over these same
resources and use third world child labour so we can buy a Freeview box
for 15 quid.

Ah diddums.

Curiously, the result of imposing import tariffs would be to deprive the
underpaid workers of the far east of work and income. I can't see how you
can square that with your communist leanings.

Bill

In article , Terry Casey wrote:
STB makers and pay-TV platforms are considering legal action against the*
European Commission after a tax ruling left many of them facing millions*
of pounds in unexpected costs. Basic set-top boxes, which are classified*
as communications devices, are exempt from tax when imported into the*
European Union. But a change to the rules last month means any box with*
a hard disc drive or Ethernet connection will be treated as a recording*
device, which is liable for tax at 13.9 per cent.

I can understand why the inclusion of a recording medium could justify
calling it a recording device - but an ethernet connection? Near me as I
type this are a broadband router and a printer which both have ethernet
connections, but neither is capable of recording anything.

Rod.

On Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:48:38 +0100, Roderick Stewart
wrote:

In article , Terry Casey wrote:
STB makers and pay-TV platforms are considering legal action against the*
European Commission after a tax ruling left many of them facing millions*
of pounds in unexpected costs. Basic set-top boxes, which are classified*
as communications devices, are exempt from tax when imported into the*
European Union. But a change to the rules last month means any box with*
a hard disc drive or Ethernet connection will be treated as a recording*
device, which is liable for tax at 13.9 per cent.

I can understand why the inclusion of a recording medium could justify
calling it a recording device - but an ethernet connection? Near me as I
type this are a broadband router and a printer which both have ethernet
connections, but neither is capable of recording anything.


Really? What is a printer for if not for recording data?

Bill Wright wrote:

Curiously, the result of imposing import tariffs would be to deprive the
underpaid workers of the far east of work and income. I can't see how you
can square that with your communist leanings.

Communist? Moi? I don't think so. I'm about as right-wing as it gets
this side of civilised.

"Silk" wrote in message
...
Bill Wright wrote:

Curiously, the result of imposing import tariffs would be to deprive the
underpaid workers of the far east of work and income. I can't see how you
can square that with your communist leanings.

Communist? Moi? I don't think so. I'm about as right-wing as it gets this
side of civilised.

Well I'm glad to hear it.

Bill

In article , wrote:
STB makers and pay-TV platforms are considering legal action against the*
European Commission after a tax ruling left many of them facing millions*
of pounds in unexpected costs. Basic set-top boxes, which are classified*
as communications devices, are exempt from tax when imported into the*
European Union. But a change to the rules last month means any box with*
a hard disc drive or Ethernet connection will be treated as a recording*
device, which is liable for tax at 13.9 per cent.

I can understand why the inclusion of a recording medium could justify*
calling it a recording device - but an ethernet connection? Near me as I*
type this are a broadband router and a printer which both have ethernet*
connections, but neither is capable of recording anything.


Really? What is a printer for if not for recording data?

Mine doesn't record television programmes terribly well.

Rod.

Really? What is a printer for if not for recording data?

Mine doesn't record television programmes terribly well.

Rod.



Couldn't you just print a hex dump of the transport stream?
You could archive it in several hundred boxes in your attic per minute of
recording.
Fot the greenies, print double-sided.

To play it back, you'd simply type them back into a file, and off you go.

Probably got a longer archive life than optical media, magnetic media or
film!

--
Ron