Licence fee?

On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:13:39 -0800, Charles Tomaras wrote:
Curious how a "detector van" is able to determine if you are watching
television? Do the UK purchased televisions have some sort of
transponder technology that can be read from the street?

All TV sets use Edwin Armstrong's "superheterodyne" circuit. A "local
oscillator" signal, at a frequency numerically related to that of the
station, is mixed with the incoming TV signal to generate an
"intermediate frequency" signal that is the same for every station.
(that way, most of the signal processing can be done at the same
frequency regardless of what station is being viewed)

Anyway, that "local oscillator" signal tends to leak out of the wiring
and get radiated by the antenna. That's what the "detector vans" pick up.

--
/home/w9wi/.sig

On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:13:45 -0500, Bob Miller wrote:
It is not due to weak signal. In the US we have a lousy modulation that
has major problems just where LOTS of people live in big cities.

In that post I was referring to analog OTA reception. DTV hasn't yet
(IMHO) had any effect on the rate of uptake of cable/satellite, and
probably won't.

--
/home/w9wi/.sig

On Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:51:15 -0500, Bob Miller wrote:
If they plan on using what they call MIMO and both vertical and
horizontal polarization you will need a new receiver, actually a
multi-receiver. One that will receiver two different signals on the same
frequency spatially multiplexed from two different antennas. Actually
four transmit and four receive antennas, two vertical and two
horizontal. And they will probably use MPEG4. Makes for a lot more bits
being transmitted.

I know of no plans to use MiMO. (then again, I am separated by a few
thousand km)

My understanding is that they *are* using MPEG4 for HD.

You will not be able to buy a "newer SD receiver" that does this because
I would assume that if such a receiver could do HD it would not be, by
definition, an SD receiver

I think we have a disagreement on definition of terms.

I'd call a device a "SD receiver" if the *output* is standard
definition.

That would include the "coupon eligible converter boxes", which receive
high-definition broadcasts but output a standard-definition picture to an
old analog TV.

It would also include the cheapest TV receivers, which include a tuner
that can receive high-definition broadcasts but contain only a standard-
definition display.

I'd call a device a "HD receiver" if the output is high-definition when
tuned to a high-definition broadcast.

That would include the vast majority of new TVs being sold, which contain
both a ATSC tuner and a high-definition display.

It would also include the early "set-top boxes" that had high-definition
component, VGA, and/or HDMI outputs for use with tunerless displays. (or
displays that were high-definition but had only an analog tuner)



Referring to NG's post, that's interesting that 80% of Freeview receivers
are marked as able to receive HD (MPEG4) broadcasts. I wouldn't have
figured the number would be nearly that great.

--
/home/w9wi/.sig

Doug Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:13:39 -0800, Charles Tomaras wrote:
Curious how a "detector van" is able to determine if you are watching
television? Do the UK purchased televisions have some sort of
transponder technology that can be read from the street?

All TV sets use Edwin Armstrong's "superheterodyne" circuit. A "local
oscillator" signal, at a frequency numerically related to that of the
station, is mixed with the incoming TV signal to generate an
"intermediate frequency" signal that is the same for every station.
(that way, most of the signal processing can be done at the same
frequency regardless of what station is being viewed)

Anyway, that "local oscillator" signal tends to leak out of the wiring
and get radiated by the antenna. That's what the "detector vans" pick up.


I knew wrapping aluminum foil around the antenna wasn't just for looks.

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Doug Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:13:39 -0800, Charles Tomaras wrote:
Curious how a "detector van" is able to determine if you are watching
television? Do the UK purchased televisions have some sort of
transponder technology that can be read from the street?

All TV sets use Edwin Armstrong's "superheterodyne" circuit. A "local
oscillator" signal, at a frequency numerically related to that of the
station, is mixed with the incoming TV signal to generate an
"intermediate frequency" signal that is the same for every station.
(that way, most of the signal processing can be done at the same
frequency regardless of what station is being viewed)

Anyway, that "local oscillator" signal tends to leak out of the wiring
and get radiated by the antenna. That's what the "detector vans" pick up.

Bear in mind, that the detector vans have a database of every TV owner
in the UK and can quickly check if a certain dwelling has a paid up
licence or not.So all they have to do is go to an unpaid address and
sit outside in their van and check to see if a signal is being received
by the offender.It also applies to receiving TV on computers as
well,although I have no idea how they can tell if you are watching a
live broadcast by say, the BBC(the BBC channels are available online to
the UK).

Naked Gonad wrote:
joe wrote:
Naked Gonad wrote:
Rastamon wrote:
"Naked Gonad" wrote in message
...
Do Americans have to pay a TV licence fee like we do in
the UK?

Gonad

What do you mean by License fee?

Like a license to use or buy a TV? Nope. Unless it's a electronics
disposal fee, which is required by some States.

I mean that in the UK, it is illegal to use a TV without a licence.When
a TV is purchased in the UK,it is compulsory to fill a form out, stating
where you live etc.Detector vans ensure that no-one is cheating.
The fee at present is £150 per year.
It's the BBC basically that we are paying it for because they have no
advertising whatsoever on all their channels.It's definitely worth it
when you can watch a complete program without adverts every 10 mins
or so.

Gonad
I've seen BBC news. most of which is a paid advert

What advert? The BBC is commercial free.

Gonad
all that anti American crap and global warming lies. puhleese, that is
not news and somebody is paying for that crap.

Neill Massello wrote:
joe wrote:

I've seen BBC news. most of which is a paid advert

No, Hamas gets the advertising for free.

i see there are some smart ones here

"Naked Gonad" wrote in message
...
Doug Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:13:39 -0800, Charles Tomaras wrote:
Curious how a "detector van" is able to determine if you are watching
television? Do the UK purchased televisions have some sort of
transponder technology that can be read from the street?

All TV sets use Edwin Armstrong's "superheterodyne" circuit. A "local
oscillator" signal, at a frequency numerically related to that of the
station, is mixed with the incoming TV signal to generate an
"intermediate frequency" signal that is the same for every station.
(that way, most of the signal processing can be done at the same
frequency regardless of what station is being viewed)

Anyway, that "local oscillator" signal tends to leak out of the wiring
and get radiated by the antenna. That's what the "detector vans" pick
up.

Bear in mind, that the detector vans have a database of every TV owner in
the UK and can quickly check if a certain dwelling has a paid up licence
or not.So all they have to do is go to an unpaid address and
sit outside in their van and check to see if a signal is being received
by the offender.It also applies to receiving TV on computers as
well,although I have no idea how they can tell if you are watching a live
broadcast by say, the BBC(the BBC channels are available online to the
UK).

Wow I've heard jokes about TV Police, but in this case it's actually true.
Sounds like Big Brother is watching. It give me visions of Police dressed
in SWAT gear, breaking down a front door and a guy is sitting there watching
TV in his living room. In an English accent, one of the Officers saying,
"You are illegally viewing BBC programming without a license!" Then they
take his TV and leave. ROFLAMO!!!

Rastamon wrote:
"Naked Gonad" wrote in message
...
Doug Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:13:39 -0800, Charles Tomaras wrote:
Curious how a "detector van" is able to determine if you are watching
television? Do the UK purchased televisions have some sort of
transponder technology that can be read from the street?
All TV sets use Edwin Armstrong's "superheterodyne" circuit. A "local
oscillator" signal, at a frequency numerically related to that of the
station, is mixed with the incoming TV signal to generate an
"intermediate frequency" signal that is the same for every station.
(that way, most of the signal processing can be done at the same
frequency regardless of what station is being viewed)

Anyway, that "local oscillator" signal tends to leak out of the wiring
and get radiated by the antenna. That's what the "detector vans" pick
up.

Bear in mind, that the detector vans have a database of every TV owner in
the UK and can quickly check if a certain dwelling has a paid up licence
or not.So all they have to do is go to an unpaid address and
sit outside in their van and check to see if a signal is being received
by the offender.It also applies to receiving TV on computers as
well,although I have no idea how they can tell if you are watching a live
broadcast by say, the BBC(the BBC channels are available online to the
UK).

Wow I've heard jokes about TV Police, but in this case it's actually true.
Sounds like Big Brother is watching. It give me visions of Police dressed
in SWAT gear, breaking down a front door and a guy is sitting there watching
TV in his living room. In an English accent, one of the Officers saying,
"You are illegally viewing BBC programming without a license!" Then they
take his TV and leave. ROFLAMO!!!




But, the larger question is, was their finger resting on the trigger?

--
jer
email reply - I am not a 'ten'

Jer wrote:
Rastamon wrote:
"Naked Gonad" wrote in message
...
Doug Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:13:39 -0800, Charles Tomaras wrote:
Curious how a "detector van" is able to determine if you are watching
television? Do the UK purchased televisions have some sort of
transponder technology that can be read from the street?
All TV sets use Edwin Armstrong's "superheterodyne" circuit. A
"local oscillator" signal, at a frequency numerically related to
that of the station, is mixed with the incoming TV signal to
generate an "intermediate frequency" signal that is the same for
every station. (that way, most of the signal processing can be done
at the same frequency regardless of what station is being viewed)

Anyway, that "local oscillator" signal tends to leak out of the
wiring and get radiated by the antenna. That's what the "detector
vans" pick up.

Bear in mind, that the detector vans have a database of every TV
owner in the UK and can quickly check if a certain dwelling has a
paid up licence or not.So all they have to do is go to an unpaid
address and
sit outside in their van and check to see if a signal is being received
by the offender.It also applies to receiving TV on computers as
well,although I have no idea how they can tell if you are watching a
live broadcast by say, the BBC(the BBC channels are available online
to the UK).

Wow I've heard jokes about TV Police, but in this case it's actually
true. Sounds like Big Brother is watching. It give me visions of
Police dressed in SWAT gear, breaking down a front door and a guy is
sitting there watching TV in his living room. In an English accent,
one of the Officers saying, "You are illegally viewing BBC programming
without a license!" Then they take his TV and leave. ROFLAMO!!!



But, the larger question is, was their finger resting on the trigger?

Firstly, it's not the police, secondly unless you are a persistent
offender,you will be given a warning to get one ASAP.