RTE, soarview and tv license

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 9:40pm #1

With RTE going ditigal and requiring a saorview box to get a siginal for television, would the tv license law become old and outdated? I mean you could have a television or buy a new one but it won't work without a saorview box. It will work for dvds and game playing but not for a tv signal without a saorview box.

Gee Bag · 15-10-2012 9:44pm

Never fear OP, our trusty government are coming to the rescue with a new broadcasting tax on everyone and everything................

HOMES and businesses without a television will still be hit with a new broadcasting licence fee under government plans.

The new levy is being considered in a bid to ensure people who view public service broadcasting online will not be able to avoid paying.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte, who brought the new proposal before the Dail yesterday, said today that a huge number of people now got their news, not from sitting in front of the 9pm news, but from other services offered by the national broadcaster.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-broadcasting-licence-to-target-every-irish-household-even-those-without-a-tv-2993767.html

Wacker The Attacker · 15-10-2012 9:47pm

They've heard all the excuses and none of them work.

areyawell · 15-10-2012 9:47pm

same thing as saying the old televisions wont pick up stations without an aerial. Even if you didnt have an aerial you still have to pay. If you have a tv without a box you still have to pay the TV license.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 9:47pm

Gee Bag wrote: »

Never fear OP, our trusty government are coming to the rescue with a new broadcasting tax on everyone and everything................

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-broadcasting-licence-to-target-every-irish-household-even-those-without-a-tv-2993767.html

I know, I never forgot about that.

msg11 · 15-10-2012 9:52pm

Wow a new tax, what ever will they think of next :rolleyes:

dxhound2005 · 15-10-2012 9:55pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

With RTE going ditigal and requiring a saorview box to get a siginal for television, would the tv license law become old and outdated? I mean you could have a television or buy a new one but it won't work without a saorview box. It will work for dvds and game playing but not for a tv signal without a saorview box.

I wouldn't rely on any advice you get here on legal matters. But it seems the legislation addresses the point you raised.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/Frequently+Asked+Questions/Television+Licence+FAQ.htm

Q. Do I require a television Licence even though I am unable to receive RTÉ and other Irish regulated broadcasts?

A. Yes. The position is that once you are in possession of a television set capable of receiving television broadcasts, you are required to have a television licence. Effectively, it is the set that is licensed, not the ability to receive television broadcasts

Zebra3 · 15-10-2012 9:58pm

msg11 wrote: »

Wow a new tax, what ever will they think of next :rolleyes:

More taxes.

After all why shouldn't the Irish taxpayer foot the bill for Roman Abramovich's gambling losses? :rolleyes:

My name is URL · 15-10-2012 9:59pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

I wouldn't rely on any advice you get here on legal matters. But it seems the legislation addresses the point you raised.

That's totally inappropriate. It's lewd, lascivious, salacious, outrageous!

Cookie_Monster · 15-10-2012 9:59pm

saorview = free view but yet you have to pay a tax for it. Does not compute

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:00pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

I wouldn't rely on any advice you get here on legal matters. But it seems the legislation addresses the point you raised.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/Frequently+Asked+Questions/Television+Licence+FAQ.htm

Q. Do I require a television Licence even though I am unable to receive RTÉ and other Irish regulated broadcasts?

A. Yes. The position is that once you are in possession of a television set capable of receiving television broadcasts, you are required to have a television licence. Effectively, it is the set that is licensed, not the ability to receive television broadcasts

But the television won't be able to recieve a broadcast.

gobnaitolunacy · 15-10-2012 10:04pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

But the television won't be able to recieve a broadcast.

Even if you put your boot thru the screen and you're using the telly to put your potted plants on top of, in theory, you still have to pay a licence. If the tv is broken or unable to receive a signal, it is still deemed 'repairable' and liable for a licence.

Fcuked-up, I know.

mickdw · 15-10-2012 10:05pm

I believe if all the old signal is gone and you have an old TV, you no longer have a device capable of receiving a broadcast and shouldn't need a licence for the device that is now no more than a monitor.

My name is URL · 15-10-2012 10:07pm

mickdw wrote: »

I believe if all the old signal is gone and you have an old TV, you no longer have a device capable of receiving a broadcast and shouldn't need a licence for the device that is now no more than a monitor.

The TV is still capable of receiving broadcasts, even if there are none.

msg11 · 15-10-2012 10:07pm

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Even if you put your boot thru the screen and you're using the telly to put your potted plants on top of, in theory, you still have to pay a licence. If the tv is broken or unable to receive a signal, it is still deemed 'repairable' and liable for a licence.

Fcuked-up, I know.

On that , I know are person who got fined for having two broken tellys in his apartment.

gobnaitolunacy · 15-10-2012 10:08pm

mickdw wrote: »

I believe if all the old signal is gone and you have an old TV, you no longer have a device capable of receiving a broadcast and shouldn't need a licence for the device that is now no more than a monitor.

NO!

Read and weep.

When the analogue television service is switched off your analogue television set will need a set-top box to receive digital television. Your analogue television set, with or without a set-top box, will still require a television licence.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/media/tv_licences.html

Fr_Dougal · 15-10-2012 10:08pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

But the television won't be able to recieve a broadcast.

Thus making it a monitor. A tv by, definition, has to be able to receive tv images. With analog turned off it can no longer do so.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:09pm

Gee Bag wrote: »

Never fear OP, our trusty government are coming to the rescue with a new broadcasting tax on everyone and everything................

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-broadcasting-licence-to-target-every-irish-household-even-those-without-a-tv-2993767.html

And dont get me started on that broadcasting charge. I remember when I was renting alone, I didn't have a television for a long time and it was so freeing. I loved it and slept well too at night, probably due to not have a tv and a winddown time before bed where I wasn't stimulated. Anyways after months I decided to buy a fart of a thing for watching dvds and movies but it broke after a few weeks (in a powercut). I lived happily for the remainder of my lease without a tv.

I didn't have a laptop or computer.

And my phone is an old sh1te and far from watching tv I bought it for and far from a live broadcast I can pick up.

I'm sure there are plently more that were just like me without a tv and laptop and computer and phone. Yet they would still be expected to pay into the system with an arguement that every household must have these gadgets.

mickdw · 15-10-2012 10:12pm

My name is URL wrote: »

The TV is still capable of receiving broadcasts, even if there are none.

That would be a shaky argument legally. To be capable of doing something that doesn't exist specifically to be capable of receiving a broadcast which will no longer be.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:13pm

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Even if you put your boot thru the screen and you're using the telly to put your potted plants on top of, in theory, you still have to pay a licence. If the tv is broken or unable to receive a signal, it is still deemed 'repairable' and liable for a licence.

Fcuked-up, I know.

Dont tell me about it. I lived for a long time with a broken tv and never got around to dumping it due to having no transport because I would have to recycle it and far from the rubbish bin I'd be allowed to throw it in.

I love your wording of your reply. It made me laugh so much.

dxhound2005 · 15-10-2012 10:15pm

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Thus making it a monitor. A tv by, definition, has to be able to receive tv images. With analog turned off it can no longer do so.

If you brought it back to the shop and tried to tell them it is not a TV set I wonder how you would get on. It will receive and display TV images if you connect it to the proper equipment. This from the link I gave earlier.

The position is that once a television set is capable of displaying conventional television broadcasting services e.g. RTÉ One, TV3 and BBC One then the licensing requirement applies.

gobnaitolunacy · 15-10-2012 10:15pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

Dont tell me about it. I lived for a long time with a broken tv and never got around to dumping it due to having no transport because I would have to recycle it and far from the rubbish bin I'd be allowed to throw it in.

I love your wording of your reply. It made me laugh so much.

Glad to amuse.
I know a pair of batchelor farmers in the arse end of nowhere who have about 30 or 40 tellys, mostly broken.....don't ask.

Somehow, I don't think they have a licence for any of them.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:15pm

My name is URL wrote: »

The TV is still capable of receiving broadcasts, even if there are none.

How is the tv still capable of receiving broadcasts?

Stinicker · 15-10-2012 10:16pm

Basically if you can't receive Saorview you should not pay a TV licence end of question. I know the law states otherwise but if you cannot even get reception why should you pay? It would be like paying a flat charge water rate even if you provide your own water or have no supply.

Basically no service = no payment from me. I object to the TV licence because of the waste it funds.

dxhound2005 · 15-10-2012 10:17pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

How is the tv still capable of receiving broadcasts?

You could attach it to a satellite dish and box and then it would receive them.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:19pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

If you brought it back to the shop and tried to tell them it is not a TV set I wonder how you would get on. It will receive and display TV images if you connect it to the proper equipment. This from the link I gave earlier.

The position is that once a television set is capable of displaying conventional television broadcasting services e.g. RTÉ One, TV3 and BBC One then the licensing requirement applies.

But it will be the equipment (the saorview box) that picks up the broadcasts and not the tv.

dxhound2005 · 15-10-2012 10:19pm

Stinicker wrote: »

Basically if you can't receive Saorview you should not pay a TV licence end of question. I know the law states otherwise but if you cannot even get reception why should you pay? It would be like paying a flat charge water rate even if you provide your own water or have no supply.

Basically no service = no payment from me. I object to the TV licence because of the waste it funds.

No service no need for a TV set. Sell it problem solved.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:20pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

You could attach it to a satellite dish and box and then it would receive them.

I got rid of sky to reduce bills and because I couldn't afford it and have no attention of getting sky or anything similiar.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:22pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

No service no need for a TV set. Sell it problem solved.

But the playstation/xbox/nintendo won't play by itself.

My name is URL · 15-10-2012 10:23pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

How is the tv still capable of receiving broadcasts?

The type of broadcast isn't set out in the legislation. Technically your TV will be just as capable of receiving a broadcast after the switchover.

Besides, your TV will still be 'receiving' a broadcast, just in a different way. If you have no aerial or satellite then perhaps you could get away with it, though I'm not sure.

Guy:Incognito · 15-10-2012 10:23pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

And dont get me started on that broadcasting charge. I remember when I was renting alone, I didn't have a television for a long time and it was so freeing. I loved it and slept well too at night, probably due to not have a tv and a winddown time before bed where I wasn't stimulated. Anyways after months I decided to buy a fart of a thing for watching dvds and movies but it broke after a few weeks (in a powercut). I lived happily for the remainder of my lease without a tv.

I didn't have a laptop or computer.

And my phone is an old sh1te and far from watching tv I bought it for and far from a live broadcast I can pick up.

I'm sure there are plently more that were just like me without a tv and laptop and computer and phone. Yet they would still be expected to pay into the system with an arguement that every household must have these gadgets.

Are you doing all your posting and browsing from that ****e old phone?

Crann na Beatha · 15-10-2012 10:26pm

This post has been deleted.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:26pm

My name is URL wrote: »

Besides, your TV will still be 'receiving' a broadcast, just in a different way.

In what way?

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:27pm

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Are you doing all your posting and browsing from that ****e old phone?

Yes, indeed.

Geuze · 15-10-2012 10:38pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

With RTE going ditigal and requiring a saorview box to get a siginal for television, would the tv license law become old and outdated? I mean you could have a television or buy a new one but it won't work without a saorview box.

You can use a new TV capable of decoding the DTT signal, so then no need for a set-top box.

Stinicker · 15-10-2012 10:44pm

dxhound2005 wrote: »

No service no need for a TV set. Sell it problem solved.

If there is no service from RTÉ why should a person still have to pay the TV Licence fee, satellite reception is almost universal but terrestrial reception only covers 75% of the country at best.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:45pm

Geuze wrote: »

ilovesleep wrote: »

With RTE going ditigal and requiring a saorview box to get a siginal for television, would the tv license law become old and outdated? I mean you could have a television or buy a new one but it won't work without a saorview box.

You can use a new TV capable of decoding the DTT signal, so then no need for a set-top box.

What if you have no desire to replace your tv?

imme · 15-10-2012 10:47pm

I think its called a Television Licence for a reason

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 10:53pm

imme wrote: »

I think its called a Television Licence for a reason

Without the extra equipment you will not be able to watch television. You'll be watching a fuzzy, dotty screan.

dxhound2005 · 15-10-2012 11:00pm

Stinicker wrote: »

If there is no service from RTÉ why should a person still have to pay the TV Licence fee, satellite reception is almost universal but terrestrial reception only covers 75% of the country at best.

Where did you get that 75% figure from?

My name is URL · 15-10-2012 11:04pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

Without the extra equipment you will not be able to watch television. You'll be watching a fuzzy, dotty screan.

Same as if you had no aerial. The point is if you have a box/satellite/aerial/whatever then your TV is capable of 'receiving' a broadcast.

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 11:19pm

My name is URL wrote: »

Same as if you had no aerial. The point is if you have a box/satellite/aerial/whatever then your TV is capable of 'receiving' a broadcast.

But without the extra equipment your TV does not have the ability to pick up a broadcast.

david75 · 15-10-2012 11:22pm

I don't have digital tv or any boxes, just the usual 15 channels, and every night there's a message s rolling on the screen every hour or so, saying we don't need soarview as we're UPC customers and our basic service will be continued and if we need to upgrade phone blah blah blah.

Anyone else getting this?

areyawell · 15-10-2012 11:24pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

But without the extra equipment your TV does not have the ability to pick up a broadcast.

yes but its the same as the old analogue without an aerial you cant pick up a signal. If you have a television you have to pay the license. Just count ourselves lucky they only ask you for one tv license. Your meant to have one for each TV in the house

ilovesleep · 15-10-2012 11:34pm

areyawell wrote: »

yes but its the same as the old analogue without an aerial you cant pick up a signal. If you have a television you have to pay the license. Just count ourselves lucky they only ask you for one tv license. Your meant to have one for each TV in the house

I don't care what the old system was.

Without the extra equipment a television will not be capable nor does it have the ability to pick up a broadcast. It is the saorview box that will be capable and has the ability for picking up broadcasts.

Bruthal · 15-10-2012 11:36pm

areyawell wrote: »

same thing as saying the old televisions wont pick up stations without an aerial. Even if you didnt have an aerial you still have to pay. If you have a tv without a box you still have to pay the TV license.

Its not the same thing really. You need a licence for a television set.

A tv set under the current licence definition will not be a tv set after aso if it is not a saorview capable one. It will be nothing more than a monitor under the licence definition. And a tv licence is not needed for a monitor.

So if someone has just a tv (non saorview) now for a ps3, they should not need a licence, just like they wouldn`t if using a projector with a ps3. Someone with a skybox and analogue tv will, as that will be a tv set under the licence definition.

But like I said a couple of years ago that if everyone used projectors overnight instead of tv`s, the tv licence name would change, amd so it will likely change to accommodate this and every other possible way of availing of the service.

The reality is, they simply want everyone to pay, regardless of whether they avail of the service or not. Tv licences really have little to do with tv`s.

chasm · 16-10-2012 12:19am

areyawell wrote: »

yes but its the same as the old analogue without an aerial you cant pick up a signal. If you have a television you have to pay the license. Just count ourselves lucky they only ask you for one tv license. Your meant to have one for each TV in the house

No it's only one licence per household regardless of the number of TV sets, unless the building is subdivided into flats etc. Jeez don't be giving them ideas lol

Bruthal · 16-10-2012 12:33am

areyawell wrote: »

Your meant to have one for each TV in the house

Thats incorrect. One licence per household. If you have 10 tv`s, one licence required.

previous user · 16-10-2012 1:02am

heh, heh,
what happens if you just have an smart phone and you watch tv on that, do they have a tax for that?

Capt'n Midnight · 16-10-2012 2:48am

ilovesleep wrote: »

But the television won't be able to recieve a broadcast.

If you have a satellite dish or satellite receiver or any saorview box, or a TV tuner card that has a raw feed.

I would be truly shocked if there was a loop hole for cable TV. So I'd guess that it's considered broadcast and any type of set top box is a receiver

IIRC because of a change in the law you can now watch TV on a screen smaller than 7" without a license (portable)

Canis Lupus · 16-10-2012 3:25am

ilovesleep wrote: »

I don't care what the old system was.

Without the extra equipment a television will not be capable nor does it have the ability to pick up a broadcast. It is the saorview box that will be capable and has the ability for picking up broadcasts.

Are you being intentionally obtuse?

Tvs as they are now require extra equipment to work, it's called an aerial and saying you don't have an aerial won't cut it as an excuse.

If you have a functioning telly then you pay the fee as you have to ability to make it receive a broadcast.

It's not rocket science. It's not even 1st year introduction to science for new secondary school starters.

RTE, soarview and tv license

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