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Tv Licence on computer monitors

  • 24-11-2008 11:04AM
    #1
    2Shae
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 224 ✭✭


    I have 2 Samsung syncmaster 226bw monitors on my pc that i use to download movies (legally via itunes and american prepaid visa's(love ebay)). Now i am unwilling to pay a tv licence as their will be NO tvs in the house i am moving into. i intend to buy a 30" dell monitor eventually, but most of these monitors tend to have hdmi in etc. so my question is what will a tv licence inspector say if he comes to visit etc. I know their is ntl in the house i am moving into but their is no box etc connected.

    What is my standing point on this. I dont have a media center pc but i do have an xbox360 that i plug into one of these samsung monitors and use the network streaming option for drm free videos.

    13 euro a month dosnt sound like much but its adds up when your car insurance is 300 a month and rent will be 250 a month then food after that.


Comments

  • #2
    Mossy Monk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    If there are any tuners capable of receiving a television signal then you must pay a licence. If you have no tuners then you do not pay.


  • #3
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,451 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Real IPTV of Live TV counts as a Tuner.

    Unless you have a real IPTV service (Smart, Magnet etc), then streaming or downloads doesn't count.


  • #4
    Elmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,641 ✭✭✭✭Elmo


    Can this be a sticky? It seems to be asked alot. Anyone have a link to that guide that was put up recently?


  • #5
    DePurpereWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 548 ✭✭✭DePurpereWolf


    I have the same question. Although I am thinking about buying a real 'tv'.

    The government likes to be very fague on this. Something that can receive a tv signal. Most teevee's can't. They need either an antenna or a satelite box to receice the signal. If I buy a new TV that doesn't have a coax in, I cannot receive any signal with it (unless I have a satellite box, Chorus cable, etc.).
    The thing is, old TV's with a coax in can receive a signal without an antenna, it's just really really bad. But the new LCD tv's don't have coax in and cannot receive any signals on their own. A Scart connection can't, HDMI can't, composite or component can't.

    The question than is, what is a TV signal? Is it what's broadcasted in the air at a 100 or so MHz? Or is it something that could convey a tv signal. Such as HDMI, Scart, etc.? In that case, all computer screens have to pay this fee. Because the difference of Scart to VGA is just the pin configuration and shape.

    Citizens info link:
    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/consumer-affairs/media/tv_licences


  • #6
    Elmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,641 ✭✭✭✭Elmo


    DePurpereWolf wrote: »
    I have the same question. Although I am thinking about buying a real 'tv'.

    The government likes to be very fague on this. Something that can receive a tv signal. Most teevee's can't. They need either an antenna or a satelite box to receice the signal. If I buy a new TV that doesn't have a coax in, I cannot receive any signal with it (unless I have a satellite box, Chorus cable, etc.).
    The thing is, old TV's with a coax in can receive a signal without an antenna, it's just really really bad. But the new LCD tv's don't have coax in and cannot receive any signals on their own. A Scart connection can't, HDMI can't, composite or component can't.

    The question than is, what is a TV signal? Is it what's broadcasted in the air at a 100 or so MHz? Or is it something that could convey a tv signal. Such as HDMI, Scart, etc.? In that case, all computer screens have to pay this fee. Because the difference of Scart to VGA is just the pin configuration and shape.

    Citizens info link:
    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/consumer-affairs/media/tv_licences

    You would pay your TV for the use of the STB which receive the signal, the TV licence is not for the monitor, it is based on the ablitiy to recieve signals.

    I do see your point.


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  • #7
    Mike 1972
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,018 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    The government likes to be very fague (sic) on this. Something that can receive a tv signal. Most teevee's can't. They need either an antenna or a satelite box to receice the signal.

    http://http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1972/en/act/pub/0005/sec0001.html#zza5y1972s1
    "television set" means any apparatus for wireless telegraphy designed primarily for the purpose of receiving and exhibiting television programmes broadcast for general reception (whether or not its use for that purpose is dependent on the use of anything else in conjunction therewith) and any assembly comprising such apparatus and other apparatus.


  • #8
    DePurpereWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 548 ✭✭✭DePurpereWolf


    Ah, that clears things up.
    Anything that's called a TV, is described as a TV and is advertised as such requires a licence.
    A computer screen does not.

    I wonder if those security TV's in stores that are hooked up to CCTV camera's are paid for.

    Enough with the ranting. :)

    Thanks for the reply.


  • #9
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭STB


    Its not vague at all. If a computer monitor is connected to a pc that has a tuner card in it OR a usb dvb-t stick then its not the monitor that is licensable but rather the stick or TV card (as Elmo pointed out).
    Once it has a tuner..... Just because you have nothing connected to it are the words of an evader! Come on....

    I dont think the spirit of the licencing is to catch people out. People who like dodging pay for anything would probably think like that. Personally I dont begrudge paying for some of stuff RTE produces. It would be easy to put on a station that buys all of its content elsewhere and to watch means ad breaks every 10 minutes, like the US for example. Mind numbing


  • #10
    DePurpereWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 548 ✭✭✭DePurpereWolf


    STB wrote: »
    ..... Just because you have nothing connected to it are the words of an evader! Come on....

    Don't draw assumptions if you don't know what you are talking about.
    I don't want to watch TV channels. No Irish, no British, none.

    I have high speed internet, a PS3, loads of DVD's, two dogs, and me and my wife both have full time jobs.

    We currently have TV from SCTV which has around 30 channels or something, and I am paying the TV licence like a good boy.

    I just feel over-entertained, I currently pay ~E40,- a month (including licence) for watching 3 to 5 hours of tv per week. I want to get rid of the TV and just use the PC and playstation for entertainment. I don't want to watch any broadcasting anymore so I believe IMHO that I shouldn't be paying a TV licence because I am not using their services.

    Now that I am moving, I need a new TV for the playstation (old one came with the apartment). But apperantly I am forced to buy a monitor otherwise I will have to pay for a service I am not using.


  • #11
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,178 ✭✭✭STB


    I do know what I am talking about.

    If you have a device such as TV which has a tuner you need a licence. Its the law.

    It doesnt matter what you do or dont have connected to it after that or whether you watch it.


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  • #12
    Elmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,641 ✭✭✭✭Elmo


    DePurpereWolf wrote: »
    Don't draw assumptions if you don't know what you are talking about.
    I don't want to watch TV channels. No Irish, no British, none.

    I have high speed internet, a PS3, loads of DVD's, two dogs, and me and my wife both have full time jobs.

    We currently have TV from SCTV which has around 30 channels or something, and I am paying the TV licence like a good boy.

    I just feel over-entertained, I currently pay ~E40,- a month (including licence) for watching 3 to 5 hours of tv per week. I want to get rid of the TV and just use the PC and playstation for entertainment. I don't want to watch any broadcasting anymore so I believe IMHO that I shouldn't be paying a TV licence because I am not using their services.

    Now that I am moving, I need a new TV for the playstation (old one came with the apartment). But apperantly I am forced to buy a monitor otherwise I will have to pay for a service I am not using.

    If you are using a monitor for the Playstation/DVDs then you are not required to have a licence.

    Do you listen to the radio? Do you think license fee money should go to cultural organisations such as the NSO? and do you think it is in the interest of the country to keep up its broadcast transmissions infrasture and indeed to improve it with the role out of DTT?

    Why do you pay for cable if you aren't using it?


  • #13
    DePurpereWolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 548 ✭✭✭DePurpereWolf


    I won't be continuing my cable subscription when I am moving. That might not have been clear from my post.

    I am not against RTE, but like everybody, if I see a chance to cut off 13 euro monthly on my expenses, I'll take that chance.
    And I just think the whole "TV licence fee" is a backwards system, it's a hassle.


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