Date   : Mon, 25 Feb 2002 14:57:21 +0000
From   : Tim Fardell <tim.fardell@...>
Subject: Re: Circuits involving a SAA5050?

Kris Adcock wrote:
> No, I don't believe thats the case. For years we didn't have a TV licence:
> we had a video /player/ (no RF demodulator) and a TV with the RF box
> removed. We removed the RF box from the TV because the TV licence people
> themselves told us this was the case.
> 
> Looking at it from the TV peoples point of view: it stops people avoiding
> paying the licence by using "I only watch DVDs" as an excuse, then
> reconnecting the aerial later.

AFAIK, a license is only required if you use television reception
equipment to receive broadcast television signals. If you only use a
TV set for viewing DVDs etc, you do not need a license, although the
licensing people *recommend* that you disconnect the aerial cable and
de-tune the tuner from any broadcast frequency, so there can be no
argument. This is not a requirement, however. The only requirement is
that you don't receive broadcast television signals. 

A video recorder is television reception equipment, so requires a
license if it used to record broadcast TV. 

Basically, holding a license allows you to watch/record the telly. A
license is **NOT** required to own or operate equipment that is
capable of receiving broadcast television, provided you don't use it
for that purpose. 

-- 
This message represents the views of the author and does not 
necessarily accurately represent the views of BTexact Technologies.