Re: [Sheflug] winduhs Only Distribution of BBC Media

[Lesley Binks <lesley.binks@xxxxxxxxx>]

Chris Warburton wrote:
>> Since a computer connected to the Internet, with graphics and
>> sound capability and with suitable installed software (e.g.
>> Real Player) is capable in the sense of para 1 (e.g. you can
>> log into the BBC and view News At 10 live), such equipment
>> puts you in the Must Have Licence category, whether you have
>> a TV set or not. Try convincing the TV Licensing inspector
>> that you never use your computer for such a purpose, when it
>> is capable of it!
> 
> I know a while ago the BBC were thinking about charging computer users
> either with a TV license, or with a sort of tax added to the computer's
> cost, but this was dismissed after a lot of complaints. The main reason
> it was dismissed was because there are some people now who claim they
> shouldn't have to pay for a TV license because they only watch ITV,
> Channel 4 and Channel 5, ie. using the other functionality of a TV. If
> this was extended to computers then there are a million and one things
> that a computer can be used for besides watching BBC broadcasts, in fact
> most computer users DON'T watch BBC broadcasts using their computer,
> whilst the vast majority of TV watchers do watch the BBC on their TV,
> making it publicly accepted to make TV licenses depend on the TV, not
> the use of the TV.
> 
> 

I vaguely recall the ITV/C4 argument and I always thought the license 
was in view of equipment capable of receiving ... and that computer 
monitors threw the whole thing out because what the vans detected was 
the electromagnetic radiation of a TV (and therefore also a monitor) and 
not the actual receiving of broadcast programs.

I think it is possible to have a TV and a computer and not use the TV to 
receive broadcast programs at all - rather use the TV out on the 
graphics card for a better gaming experience.  One of my nephews has a 
wide screen TV he uses almost exclusively for this purpose.  One just 
has to persuade the gestapo that this is the case in the presence of a 
communal aerial fixture.

There are however many people who survive without a TV.  As for 
streaming live stuff off t'Internet - I think bandwidth capping will put 
paid to that for many.

I most frequently have it on the radio channels anyway and I sat down to 
watch a film last night for the first time in weeks.  I am not sure the 
license is worth the £13(?) a month to me now but I do know, even when 
the domicile is already covered by another license, they really do argue 
the toss about you cancelling your direct debit!

Regards

L.




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