I've sold my TV

Verizon tech support tells me I can't use the integrated Netgear unit.

(But the MSN bit is indeed optional)

Weird - did they explain why? I reckon you should try the Ask Matthew thread for an definitive answer.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Steve B:
That little white dot means something.
It means something really heavy.
It means there's no more tele.

---

Rik: "I wish we had a video, so I could tape the white dot and watch it in the morning!".

TV: "AND REMEMBER, DO NOT FORGET TO UNPLUG YOUR SET"

Vyvian: "WHY!?"

TV: "'COS IT WILL BLOW UP, STUPID!"

Vyv: "AHH GREAT!... ... ...It's never gonna blow up! I think I'll go and play murder in the dark!"

Good old Oil episode (iirc). Still not as good as Bomb, when Vyv eats the telly to escape the TV Licence guy, and then SPG goes and plugs the (swallowed) TV chassis in...

I've had cable since June 20th, and since then I've watched maybe 10 hours of telly, including:
"The nine lives of Fritz the cat"
"Alive"
"Magical mystery tour"
...and "Babe". So that will be about 2 hours of normal TV viewing then. So that cost me, oh, £5/hour to watch total crap. Good old BBC.

I will still have a TV in the house, but it's buried in my bedroom. The lounge is for music only.

__________________________
Don't wanna be cremated or buried in a grave
Just dump me in a plastic bag and leave me on the pavement
A tribute to your modern world, your great society
I'm just another victim of your highrise fantasy!

The Young Ones.

Ah yes, I remember it well.

If we had more comedies like that now, I wouldn't be considering ditching the TV.

Steve B

I would be surprised if anyone ever gets a specific response to a letter informing the authority that they no longer watch broadcast television. I gave up on television 4 or 5 years ago and obtained a refund.
Every once in a while I get the standard questionnaire “Do you have a television?” YES. “Do you have a licence? NO. On this I usually scrawl – “I do not watch broadcast television.”
The CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) advise
“Everyone who uses (or installs with the intention to use) a television set, video recorder or computer, which is capable of receiving authorised broadcast programmes (that is, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, cable television or Sky TV), needs a television licence. A licence allows the person named on it and any member of her/his household to use one or more television sets, TV-enabled computers or video recorders. A television licence is not needed if the TV set cannot receive television programmes and is only used for closed circuit monitoring, for watching pre-recorded videos or as a computer monitor.”

I expect that the “cannot receive television programmes” will be the cause of contention in my case as I retain a primitive model with no SCART, etc which is connected, via its aerial socket, to a VCR.
Again – the advice was
“If a client does not use her/his television set or video recorder to watch or record authorised broadcast programmes (that is, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 or cable television or satellite television), s/he will not need a licence. This means that s/he would not need a licence if, for example, s/he only:-
• uses the television set as a computer monitor
• uses the television set to play electronic games
• watches pre-recorded videos, whether or not these have been bought, or recorded by someone else on a licensed video recorder.
However, the television set and/or video recorder must be incapable of receiving all authorised broadcast programmes. This could be effected, for example, by making sure that neither the television set nor the video recorder were tuned in to any channels and ensuring that they are not connected to an aerial.”
I have lived in quivering fear of the “enforcer” calling for all these years – mainly because I can’t remember how to tune it, it has 99 channels and, I suspect, I would have to plug it into an aerial to check that none of the presets connect to a station.
Of some interest is the fact that you are free to watch programmes recorded on a licensed machine.

Adam

Pay the money!

Doug

Don't!

You could put a sticky label over the aerial input
of the vcr as further evidence.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Steve B:
The Young Ones.

Ah yes, I remember it well.

If we had more comedies like that now, I wouldn't be considering ditching the TV.

Steve B

---

I say to you, Sir,

The Mighty Boosh

thus, proving that you are wrong in your mind tank.

and many more......

Spaced
Black Books
Curb your enthusiasm
Seinfeld
The League of Gentlemen
et al.

There's plenty of great comedy on TV, especially BBC3.



Stephen

That is part of the problem

Plenty of good stuff
Loads of "watchable" stuff
Tons of rubbish

quote:

---

Originally posted by sceptic:
That is part of the problem

Plenty of good stuff
Loads of "watchable" stuff
Tons of rubbish

---

How can 'plenty' be a problem?

Sifting through the dross is a problem - as it is with music, film, art etc.

regards

Stephen

I know a number of people who don't have a TV license and the inspectors, on seeing that there is a TV, but it is not connected to an aerial, sat. vox etc are happy to believe that they don't watch TV on it, even if it is a brand new 32" widescreen TV!

So, you should be OK if it is not pluged in, alternative is to get a plasma (no receiver) and a DVD player and dich the VCR and old TV.

And they you can sit back listening to Radio 3 or 4 and thinking how kind all your neighbours are by paying for this fine service on your behalf!

Matthew

I'm afraid that the first episode in the new series of Six Feet Under has convinced me that I shall not be selling my TV for at least ten-or-so weeks, if at all.

Most music is rubbish, but I've still got hi-fi...

Brilliant

It's 1:03 AM and I'm playing with my new DSL hookup. I rebuilt my laptop and I'm listening to KEXP while posting. I'm also a little loopy off the liquids.

Nice.

quote:

---

Originally posted by rodwsmith:
I'm afraid that the first episode in the new series of Six Feet Under has convinced me that I shall not be selling my TV for at least ten-or-so weeks, if at all.

Most music is rubbish, but I've still got hi-fi...

---

Which season? 3 I hope.

If we weren't so keen on DVDs the telly would just be so much junk. Like the stuff broadcast on it 99% of the time.

Cheers

Harry

quote:

---

Which season? 3 I hope.

---

Season 4 - started last night on E4.
Not exactly a cheery hour the first one it has to be said. However, the customary "who's going to die" sequence at the beginning was one of the best ever.

The whole Lisa / Brenda thing appears to be coming to a head in Nate's mind - for reasons which I shall not ruin as they are repeating it on Sunday, same channel.

I really think this is the best thing television has produced for a very long time. Series 3 did appear to have lost its way for a while, but from what I hear I am hopeful for this one.

Rod

Smashing. Thanks Rod. If it's on E4 now, plebs like me can start looking out for it in the winter. Once the Sopranos box has been ticked, that's about it for us.

Cheers

Harry

Mine's gone too.

Just taken it to the tip this morning - tv freedom starts now! I've barely watched it in months so decided that I'd use my day off to get rid of it for good.

For those who were asking about licences, I've called 0870 850 1202 where a very nice lady has cancelled the licence and is arranging a refund of unused licence money.

I guess I'd better go put the radio or some music on then!

Steve.

It's a grand old team to play for...

Well done Steve, well done.

I haven't missed my TV or any shows one bit FWIW.

Hi Ludwig. I've had mine in the living-room for the last four months, but positioned so that I have to make a conscious effort to get up and relocate to watch it. And - 24 series 3 and Euro 2004 aside - I never did, hence getting rid.

I can play DVDs on my laptop (not exactly an 'invite all your friends round' sized screen but it'll do for me) and goodness-knows how many £,000 of hifi to keep me entertained. And books. And the web. And even real people!

Looking forward to it. Steve :-)

It's a grand old team to play for...

Yes, my getting out of the apartment and reading have increased dramatically since ditching the idiot box.