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| UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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student TV problem in London (oh yes)
On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 23:46:55 GMT, dave wrote:
My daughter has a room in a student house in London that's surrounded by concrete buildings - now there's surprise :-) She has a TV that only picks up channel 5. There's no cable/aerial etc in the place apart from the one that came with the TV and no amount of twiddling get a picture. Can someone recommend an (inexpensive) aerial preamp that will boost the signal? Thanks It's a bit surprising that there is something from Channel 5 and not the other channels, since this has a much lower signal level from the transmitters. Are you sure that she has tried tuning the set? A Yagi type set top antenna (small version of an outside type antenna), may give better results, especially if located upstairs, but generally adding an antenna pre-amplifier won't do very much if there is little signal in the first place, or if it has ghosting resulting from the surrounding buildings. You could always tell her that she should be getting on with studies, but I don't suppose that that would be met with any better reception than she's getting already. -- ..andy To email, substitute .nospam with .gl |
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#2
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On Tue, 20 Sep 2005 23:46:55 UTC, dave wrote:
My daughter has a room in a student house in London that's surrounded by concrete buildings - now there's surprise :-) She has a TV that only picks up channel 5. There's no cable/aerial etc in the place apart from the one that came with the TV and no amount of twiddling get a picture. Can someone recommend an (inexpensive) aerial preamp that will boost the signal? And of course check she has a licence...they are very hot on student houses... -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com |
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#3
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"dave" wrote in message ... My daughter has a room in a student house in London that's surrounded by concrete buildings - now there's surprise :-) She has a TV that only picks up channel 5. There's no cable/aerial etc in the place apart from the one that came with the TV and no amount of twiddling get a picture. Can someone recommend an (inexpensive) aerial preamp that will boost the signal? Thanks ....mmmm ... if this TV has been moved from home to her digs then it's probably come from an area where the channels are significantly different tuning. MOST of London has quite good reception and is in line of sight of the transmitters. I'd investigate tuning first. She presumably only needs BBC2 anyway for the open university G AWEM |
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#4
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So let me get this straight. You pay =A3120 for a TV license and you get
nothing for it. Come on now, that sort of thing only happens in the UK. I did buy one of those 42 element aerials from B & Q, Maplins also do them for about =A325. However I did have a loft to put it in. What about a TV card for her computer. They have quite sensative front ends in the receiver. Then you can record to hard disc. Chris. |
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#5
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So let me get this straight. You pay =A3120 for a TV license and you get
nothing for it. Come on now, that sort of thing only happens in the UK. I did buy one of those 42 element aerials from B & Q, Maplins also do them for about =A325. However I did have a loft to put it in. What about a TV card for her computer. They have quite sensative front ends in the receiver. Then you can record to hard disc. Chris. |
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#6
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dave wrote:
My daughter has a room in a student house in London that's surrounded by concrete buildings - now there's surprise :-) She has a TV that only picks up channel 5. There's no cable/aerial etc in the place apart from the one that came with the TV and no amount of twiddling get a picture. Can someone recommend an (inexpensive) aerial preamp that will boost the signal? Thanks Surely she can just watch the big screen in the students union bar or whatever pub she happens to be in at the time! |
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#7
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In article .com,
wrote: So let me get this straight. You pay £120 for a TV license and you get nothing for it. Come on now, that sort of thing only happens in the UK. Compare UK TV with USA TV. The quality we get (across all channels) is driven by the licence we pay. Cut out the licence and all you do is put (more) money in the back pocket of Murdoch and dump the quality of TV for all of us - and at far greater cost. -- John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822 Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing |
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#8
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In article , John Cartmell
wrote: In article .com, wrote: So let me get this straight. You pay £120 for a TV license and you get nothing for it. Come on now, that sort of thing only happens in the UK. Compare UK TV with USA TV. The quality we get (across all channels) is driven by the licence we pay. Cut out the licence and all you do is put (more) money in the back pocket of Murdoch and dump the quality of TV for all of us - and at far greater cost. And in case anyone is misled by your other comment - a TV card in a PC requires a licence. -- John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822 Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing |
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#9
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In article .com,
wrote: So let me get this straight. http://www.allmyfaqs.com/faq.pl?How_to_post -- AJL |
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#12
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On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 13:43:59 +0100, Rob Morley
wrote: In article , says... In article , John Cartmell wrote: In article .com, wrote: So let me get this straight. You pay £120 for a TV license and you get nothing for it. Come on now, that sort of thing only happens in the UK. Compare UK TV with USA TV. The quality we get (across all channels) is driven by the licence we pay. Cut out the licence and all you do is put (more) money in the back pocket of Murdoch and dump the quality of TV for all of us - and at far greater cost. And in case anyone is misled by your other comment - a TV card in a PC requires a licence. Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. If you are the holder of a valid tv license then you are entitled to use a portable tv away from home, if it is powered by it's own internal batteries. That what you are thinking of? As usual, it is completely outstripped by advancing technology. I am getting a Freecom Freeview dongle for the pc. It will probably be legal away from home but depends which of my family are operating it. |
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#13
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In article ,
Richard Conway writes: Rob Morley wrote: Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. I'm pretty sure the pocket 4" TVs are exempt. I suppose it would be pretty sketchy on the laptop - what if you were using it in the park? Battery-powered TVs do not need a licence. Years back, I knew someone whose sole TV was a 12" B/W portable next to which sat the car battery that powered it. Of course, he'd then charge the car battery from the mains... -- SAm. |
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#14
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In article ,
Richard Conway wrote: Rob Morley wrote: In article , says... In article , John Cartmell wrote: In article .com, wrote: So let me get this straight. You pay £120 for a TV license and you get nothing for it. Come on now, that sort of thing only happens in the UK. Compare UK TV with USA TV. The quality we get (across all channels) is driven by the licence we pay. Cut out the licence and all you do is put (more) money in the back pocket of Murdoch and dump the quality of TV for all of us - and at far greater cost. And in case anyone is misled by your other comment - a TV card in a PC requires a licence. Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. I'm pretty sure the pocket 4" TVs are exempt. I suppose it would be pretty sketchy on the laptop - what if you were using it in the park? Not sketchy at all. You can use a 4" TV in the park - but of course you can show anyone the licence that you have for your home TV, can't you? The licence is for equipment capable of receiving broadcast TV. If you want to run videos only (or a computer only) then you need to buy a screen/monitor without a tuner. -- John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822 Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing |
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#15
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In article , Sam Nelson
wrote: In article , Richard Conway writes: Rob Morley wrote: Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. I'm pretty sure the pocket 4" TVs are exempt. I suppose it would be pretty sketchy on the laptop - what if you were using it in the park? Battery-powered TVs do not need a licence. Cite? Years back, I knew someone whose sole TV was a 12" B/W portable next to which sat the car battery that powered it. Of course, he'd then charge the car battery from the mains... Sounds urban & mythical. -- John Cartmell john@ followed by finnybank.com 0845 006 8822 Qercus magazine FAX +44 (0)8700-519-527 www.finnybank.com Qercus - the best guide to RISC OS computing |
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#16
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In article ,
Rob Morley writes: Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special=20 case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's=20 something about battery poweed TVs. Here's my interpretation of the addtional permitted use cases: o TV's powered only by internal batteries can be used by the licence holder away from home (but not by other members of the household). o TV's in boats/caravans used for touring. o TV's in caravans not used for touring (and includes use by visitors in the presence of the licence holder) providing no television is being used in the licenced premises at the same time. Way back when I was in a Hall of Residence, I wrote to the licensing authority asking what the rules were for such a place. The reply was that a licence was needed for each "family unit" which had a TV, and a "family unit" was defined as a group of people who usually eat at least one meal a day together (would exclude many families nowadays;-). So in a self-catering hall, each person ended up needing their own licence, whereas in a catered hall, only a single licence was required. This was 25 years ago, and the rules may well be different now, or interpreted differently even if they haven't changed. There weren't many personal TV's in Halls of Residence back then, anyway. There were however plenty of students who ended up being prosecuted for not having licences in student houses/digs. However, you have to satisfy yourself of the rules. I'm not paying your fine just because you believe anything I say... -- Andrew Gabriel |
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#17
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On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 11:31:54 +0100, John Cartmell
wrote: Compare UK TV with USA TV. The quality we get (across all channels) is driven by the licence we pay. Cut out the licence and all you do is put (more) money in the back pocket of Murdoch and dump the quality of TV for all of us - and at far greater cost. How do you figure that one out? You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. sponix |
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#18
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"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message .. . In article , Rob Morley writes: Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special=20 case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's=20 something about battery poweed TVs. snip However, you have to satisfy yourself of the rules. I'm not paying your fine just because you believe anything I say... http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/students.jsp strangely enough! -- Bob Mannix (anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not) |
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#19
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Owain wrote:
Rob Morley wrote: Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. It's the USB tv adapter which would be the licensable apparatus, not the PC, and the laptop battery is not internal to the TV adapter, so it would not be covered by the internal battery exemption. Owain So does that mean that if I get a 42" plasma screen and plug it in to a tuner that runs off internal batteries I can happily watch without a license? |
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#21
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Sam Nelson wrote: In article , Richard Conway writes: Rob Morley wrote: Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. I'm pretty sure the pocket 4" TVs are exempt. I suppose it would be pretty sketchy on the laptop - what if you were using it in the park? Battery-powered TVs do not need a licence. Years back, I knew someone whose sole TV was a 12" B/W portable next to which sat the car battery that powered it. Of course, he'd then charge the car battery from the mains... Wrong! They can be used away from home if you already have a license for a TV at home. I used to believe a student could use a battery powered TV if their parents had a license but even that doesn't seem to be true anymore. ISTR this subject was done to death here a few months ago and is all on the TV licensing website, somewhere. MBQ |
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#22
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#23
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In article ,
s--p--o--n--i--x wrote: You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. There's only a limited amount of advertising money in the pot, and not enough to finance the BBC as we know it. -- *Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?" Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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#24
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In article .com,
wrote: Battery-powered TVs do not need a licence. Years back, I knew someone whose sole TV was a 12" B/W portable next to which sat the car battery that powered it. Of course, he'd then charge the car battery from the mains... Wrong! They can be used away from home if you already have a license for a TV at home. I used to believe a student could use a battery powered TV if their parents had a license but even that doesn't seem to be true anymore. I'd think not. A child may be able to at say scout camp. -- *Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off NOW. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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#25
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On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 13:00:12 UTC, (Sam Nelson) wrote:
Battery-powered TVs do not need a licence. Years back, I knew someone whose sole TV was a 12" B/W portable next to which sat the car battery that powered it. Of course, he'd then charge the car battery from the mains... They do need a licence, except as noted elsewhere in the thread. -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com |
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#26
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On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 12:46:04 UTC, Richard Conway wrote:
And in case anyone is misled by your other comment - a TV card in a PC requires a licence. Would a USB TV card running on a laptop on battery power be a special case? I can't remember what difference it makes, but I remember there's something about battery poweed TVs. I'm pretty sure the pocket 4" TVs are exempt. I suppose it would be pretty sketchy on the laptop - what if you were using it in the park? You need a licence unless: a) You are living 'away from home' and your parents have a licence AND b) The TV is wholly powered by self contained batteries wholly contained within it. (I've written guidance notes for students in a hall of residence...!) -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com |
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#27
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On Wed, 21 Sep 2005 14:12:43 UTC, (Sam Nelson) wrote:
Wrong! They can be used away from home if you already have a license for a TV at home. I used to believe a student could use a battery powered TV if their parents had a license but even that doesn't seem to be true anymore. ISTR this subject was done to death here a few months ago and is all on the TV licensing website, somewhere. Doesn't surprise me. But I could've sworn there was an exemption for battery power---although I never understood why. Oh well. The above story is true, though, and that was the reason claimed. Quote from the TV Licensing website: Q. "Aren't I covered by my parents' licence while I'm away?" A. "No. Unless your TV is powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV." So you were effectively correct (so was I, when I said the same earlier). -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by http://laminateflooring.oncloud8.com |
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#28
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Owain wrote:
Richard Conway wrote: It's the USB tv adapter which would be the licensable apparatus, not the PC, and the laptop battery is not internal to the TV adapter, so it would not be covered by the internal battery exemption. So does that mean that if I get a 42" plasma screen and plug it in to a tuner that runs off internal batteries I can happily watch without a license? Yes, if you're confident you can sound more convincing in court than TVL's barrister :-) Owain I'll start putting my case together... |
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#29
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In article ,
"Bob Eager" writes: Quote from the TV Licensing website: Q. "Aren't I covered by my parents' licence while I'm away?" A. "No. Unless your TV is powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV." That disagrees with what it says on the back of my licence, which is that this applies to the specified licence holder only (unlikely to be the student). -- Andrew Gabriel |
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#30
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-- www.davidarthur.ws "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message ... In article , s--p--o--n--i--x wrote: You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. There's only a limited amount of advertising money in the pot, and not enough to finance the BBC as we know it. So how come there seems to be more and more channels all the time, on freeview and sky. Seems to be enough money to go round there. And also why should only the UK have to pay towards the BBC when it's broadcast FTA across Europe. The only reason they pick on students is that they are easy targets, I'm still waiting for them to come round to check that I haven't got a TV, been 4 years now! No rush then! About time we had a fairer system, why should a single person pay £120, and a house of 4 adults (with 6 TV's)pay the same, don't make any sense to me. |
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#31
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"s--p--o--n--i--x" wrote in message ... snip You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. Well considering that the BBC won the BBC1 vs. ITV1 rating war for the first half on this year it would suggest that people are sick to the back teeth of the stuff ITV has been churning out (not withstanding a few notable exceptions)... |
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#32
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In message , Sam Nelson
writes In article .com, writes: Sam Nelson wrote: In article , Battery-powered TVs do not need a licence. Years back, I knew someone whose sole TV was a 12" B/W portable next to which sat the car battery that powered it. Of course, he'd then charge the car battery from the mains... Wrong! They can be used away from home if you already have a license for a TV at home. I used to believe a student could use a battery powered TV if their parents had a license but even that doesn't seem to be true anymore. ISTR this subject was done to death here a few months ago and is all on the TV licensing website, somewhere. Doesn't surprise me. But I could've sworn there was an exemption for battery power---although I never understood why. So that happy caravanners could watch coronation street -- geoff |
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#33
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"Dave Jones" wrote in message ... www.davidarthur.ws "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message ... In article , s--p--o--n--i--x wrote: You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. There's only a limited amount of advertising money in the pot, and not enough to finance the BBC as we know it. So how come there seems to be more and more channels all the time, on freeview and sky. Seems to be enough money to go round there. Cheap rates and or specialist advertising, together with mostly non original programmes (either repeats or bought in) I suspect. And also why should only the UK have to pay towards the BBC when it's broadcast FTA across Europe. Next you will be objecting to the BBC World Service, people don't even have a say in paying for that, even non TV owners pay! The only reason they pick on students is that they are easy targets, I'm still waiting for them to come round to check that I haven't got a TV, been 4 years now! No rush then! About time we had a fairer system, why should a single person pay £120, and a house of 4 adults (with 6 TV's)pay the same, don't make any sense to me. Life is unfair at time, isn't it.....FFS grow up! |
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#34
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Bob Eager wrote:
a) You are living 'away from home' and your parents have a licence AND b) The TV is wholly powered by self contained batteries wholly contained within it. So a nice widescreen laptop with tv card then. :¬) -- http://gymratz.co.uk - Best Gym Equipment & Bodybuilding Supplements UK. http://trade-price-supplements.co.uk - TRADE PRICED SUPPLEMENTS for ALL! http://fitness-equipment-uk.com - UK's No.1 Fitness Equipment Suppliers. http://gymratz.co.uk/hot-seat.htm - Live web-cam! (sometimes) |
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#35
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-- www.davidarthur.ws ":::Jerry::::" wrote in message eenews.net... "Dave Jones" wrote in message ... www.davidarthur.ws "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message ... In article , s--p--o--n--i--x wrote: You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. There's only a limited amount of advertising money in the pot, and not enough to finance the BBC as we know it. So how come there seems to be more and more channels all the time, on freeview and sky. Seems to be enough money to go round there. Cheap rates and or specialist advertising, together with mostly non original programmes (either repeats or bought in) I suspect. And also why should only the UK have to pay towards the BBC when it's broadcast FTA across Europe. Next you will be objecting to the BBC World Service, people don't even have a say in paying for that, even non TV owners pay! The only reason they pick on students is that they are easy targets, I'm still waiting for them to come round to check that I haven't got a TV, been 4 years now! No rush then! About time we had a fairer system, why should a single person pay £120, and a house of 4 adults (with 6 TV's)pay the same, don't make any sense to me. Life is unfair at time, isn't it.....FFS grow up! Try tell that to the 65 year old, trying to live on a state pension. |
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#36
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In message , Dave Jones
writes Sorry to top post but Would you like to get your bloody sig separator sorted out ? The whole post has become part of your sig ...Again -- www.davidarthur.ws ":::Jerry::::" wrote in message eenews.net... "Dave Jones" wrote in message ... www.davidarthur.ws "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message ... In article , s--p--o--n--i--x wrote: You could argue that by dumping the licence fee the BBC will need to make programmes that people actually want to watch in order to keep advertisers happy, rather than the arty-farty stuff that is watched by a couple of thousand people. There's only a limited amount of advertising money in the pot, and not enough to finance the BBC as we know it. So how come there seems to be more and more channels all the time, on freeview and sky. Seems to be enough money to go round there. Cheap rates and or specialist advertising, together with mostly non original programmes (either repeats or bought in) I suspect. And also why should only the UK have to pay towards the BBC when it's broadcast FTA across Europe. Next you will be objecting to the BBC World Service, people don't even have a say in paying for that, even non TV owners pay! The only reason they pick on students is that they are easy targets, I'm still waiting for them to come round to check that I haven't got a TV, been 4 years now! No rush then! About time we had a fairer system, why should a single person pay £120, and a house of 4 adults (with 6 TV's)pay the same, don't make any sense to me. Life is unfair at time, isn't it.....FFS grow up! Try tell that to the 65 year old, trying to live on a state pension. -- geoff |
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#37
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"raden" wrote in message ... In message , Dave Jones writes Sorry to top post but Would you like to get your bloody sig separator sorted out ? The whole post has become part of your sig ...Again Yep Sorry, forgot about that |
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#38
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Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article , "Bob Eager" writes: Quote from the TV Licensing website: Q. "Aren't I covered by my parents' licence while I'm away?" A. "No. Unless your TV is powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV." That disagrees with what it says on the back of my licence, which is that this applies to the specified licence holder only (unlikely to be the student). How about deliberately transferring the license to the student for the purpose of getting round this? |
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#39
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"Richard Conway" wrote in message ... Andrew Gabriel wrote: In article , "Bob Eager" writes: Quote from the TV Licensing website: Q. "Aren't I covered by my parents' licence while I'm away?" A. "No. Unless your TV is powered by internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV." That disagrees with what it says on the back of my licence, which is that this applies to the specified licence holder only (unlikely to be the student). How about deliberately transferring the license to the student for the purpose of getting round this? Then the parents home address would not have a licence, the address[1] *has to be* on the licence for the address were the TV is being used. [1] the student will be registered as living at another address for council tax purposes etc. |
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#40
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In article ,
Richard Conway wrote: That disagrees with what it says on the back of my licence, which is that this applies to the specified licence holder only (unlikely to be the student). How about deliberately transferring the license to the student for the purpose of getting round this? Then you'd not be covered while he/she was away. -- *A backward poet writes inverse.* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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