TV Detector Van Documentary R4

"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:40:14 +0100, "Sans Serif"
wrote:

It seems pretty unlikely that a predatory TV licensing authority that
routinely sends threatening and intimidating letters to anyone their
records
show do not have a TV license, would accept that an equipment capable of
receiving TV programmes wasn't used for that purpose.

See my previous post. They did.

Not something I'd like to count on - there's always the possibility of the
cost and inconvenience of being summonsed and the further possibility that
the magistrates might not appreciate your point of view.

Many years ago I was repairing a portable TV for a friend, the TV
enforcement officer just happened along that day and invited himself in
through the front door that had been left open.

Fortunately the friend had also brought a TV computer game that he wanted
the TV to use with and the TVEO accepted that it wasn't for receiving
broadcast and went on his way without further ado.

It turns out that you need a TV license to be repairing TV's and if the TVEO
actually knew the rules he was supposed to be enforcing, he would have been
within his rights to report an offence.

Since its been demonstrated that TVEOs don't always know the rules
properly - that can cut either way, and the magistrates aren't known for
turning down "free" fines for 'offences' that are in the grey area.

On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:03:42 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

Just checked it out and you do now need a separate licence for a holiday
home - unless you use a battery operated receiver.

And they have to be internal batteries, you can't connect it up to a
car battery etc. You could always put a LCD in the case from an old
CRT and fill the empty space with batteries.

On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:43:55 +0100, "Sans Serif"
wrote:

It turns out that you need a TV license to be repairing TV's and if the TVEO
actually knew the rules he was supposed to be enforcing, he would have been
within his rights to report an offence.

Only if you are trying to pick up domestic television broadcasts. If
you test the TV using a video or computer game it isn't a television
receiver and doesn't need a license.

Sans Serif wrote:

It turns out that you need a TV license to be repairing TV's and if the TVEO

No, you don't surprisingly enough... from TVL:

"I am a TV Dealer, do I need a TV Licence for the business?

If you are only repairing, testing or demonstrating equipment on the
sales floor, you do not need a licence."


actually knew the rules he was supposed to be enforcing, he would have been
within his rights to report an offence.

Since its been demonstrated that TVEOs don't always know the rules
properly - that can cut either way, and the magistrates aren't known for
turning down "free" fines for 'offences' that are in the grey area.

They also don't like having their decisions overturned on appeal, so it
pays them to make a stab at getting it right.


--
Cheers,

John.

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wrote:
On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:43:55 +0100, "Sans Serif"
wrote:

It turns out that you need a TV license to be repairing TV's and if the TVEO
actually knew the rules he was supposed to be enforcing, he would have been
within his rights to report an offence.

Only if you are trying to pick up domestic television broadcasts. If
you test the TV using a video or computer game it isn't a television
receiver and doesn't need a license.

You are also allowed to test with off air broadcasts. As long as you
don't also allow your staff to watch the TV for recreation you are
exempt from needing a license.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

"John Rumm" wrote in message
o.uk...
wrote:
On Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:43:55 +0100, "Sans Serif"
wrote:

It turns out that you need a TV license to be repairing TV's and if the
TVEO actually knew the rules he was supposed to be enforcing, he would
have been within his rights to report an offence.

Only if you are trying to pick up domestic television broadcasts. If
you test the TV using a video or computer game it isn't a television
receiver and doesn't need a license.

You are also allowed to test with off air broadcasts. As long as you don't
also allow your staff to watch the TV for recreation you are exempt from
needing a license.


That's not what I was told - maybe it depends on who replies to the request
for info.

In any case I switched to repairing PC monitors and found both the
technology and customers easier to deal with.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Bill Wright wrote:
Pay for the BBC from a hypothocated amount derived from general
taxation.

And put the BBC under direct government control?

--
*Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.


It always was. It still is.

HM Gov cashes The BBC's cheques.

In article , John
Rumm wrote:
You are also allowed to test with off air broadcasts. As long as you
don't also allow your staff to watch the TV for recreation you are
exempt from needing a license.

Does that mean you have license not to buy a licence?

Rod.
--
Virtual Access V6.3 free usenet/email software from
http://sourceforge.net/projects/virtual-access/

In article ,
Light of Aria wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Bill Wright wrote:
Pay for the BBC from a hypothocated amount derived from general
taxation.

And put the BBC under direct government control?

--
*Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.


It always was. It still is.

HM Gov cashes The BBC's cheques.

not - Barclays does that.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Bill Wright wrote:
And put the BBC under direct government control?

No, you missed the whole point. The amount would be hypothocated and
this could only be changed by a full Act of P.

An act of parliament every year to set the licence fee?
No, an Act would only be necessary when the government wishes to vary the
percentage figure of total tax take, which would set the hypothocated
amount. In other words it would be a rare and very newsworthy event, since
the BBC couldn't complain if they were on a fixed percentage. Instead they'd
just have to cut their cloth. And the Bill that preceded the Act would
scream out 'Government to cut BBC money' or 'Goverment to increase BBC
money' so if there was any suggestion of political motivation it would get
great scrutiny.

Alternatively the licence fee could be fixed by a special independent
committee recruited from all over the country. The judicial system
could do this by a simple random selection from the juror list.

Crikey. Even more jobs for the boys?
The cost would be miniscule compared to the cost of collect the licence fee
from 99.9% of all households.

At present the BBC is dependent on the govt to set the fee. Just what
you and I don't want.

Seems to work ok.
No it doesn't because the BBC can be bullied by the Govt.

Bill