Modern HDTV Without RF Tuner

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adrianj

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I didn't try searching for very long, so if this has been dealt with before, my apologies.

I am sick to death of paying SABC TV licences when 90% of the country do not pay (that's my facetious guess at a figure). Once they have your name and number so to speak, you are doomed. I have had issues with them in the past, but I'm not going to go through all that. As far as I am concerned, SABC should be closed down.

The bottom line is that if one has a device capable of receiving a "broadcast signal" (their words, not mine), then one needs a TV Licence. My recent current TV left the house suddenly with some thieving gate and front-door smashers. I need to replace it with a new flat screen device.

My question is, are there decent full HD flat screen monitors available in the say 40" to 50" range that do NOT have RF tuner capability ? I have two old-fashioned CRT type TV's in my bedroom & study that connect to my secondary DSTV decoder using co-ax, so I know these two are using their RF tuners/receivers to get that signal. I will donate them to a suitable worthy cause if I succeed in finding a primary HDTV type device for my lounge viewing. I will also then drop the extra-view setup.

Now, I know that my DSTV HDPVR can receive SABC channels, but I am prepared to go to court if necessary to tell these cretins that I no longer have ANY devices capable of receiving THEIR broadcast signal (via free-to-air-RF) and I will therefore no longer be paying their idiotic TV licence.

I also think if they ever manage to roll out digital TV with a set-top-box being required then one would be able to argue that no TV licence is required any more because of course I would never be getting one of those to watch their drivel, but that could be another 10 years when they have finished squabbling about who is going to rip-off the most money in rolling out that "service".

I do believe in one of the many emails I swopped with these fools in the past there was mention made of even having an RF tuner disabled, but I cannot remember exactly. That might be another option to pursue, because no doubt if I do end up with some kind of "dumb" monitor, I will also be losing out on WiFi connectivity and hence the option to play media from the internet or from one of my PC's on my home network.

Any thoughts/ideas ?
 
What you could do is borrow your freinds/neighbours/parents/families TV licence and buy a new TV. -Easiest solution.

And im pretty sure you dont get a massive TV like that with out the RF tuner.
 
Yes, but my current licence account with those cretins which had been up-to-date until last year now reflects 1) arrears for last year, 2) 10% penalty per month since the due date last year and now 3) the new licence fee due for this year. Given it is 10 months overdue, my current bill essentially reflects a fee of 3 X the annual fee is due. I know they will hand this over for collection to one of those collection agencies at some stage like they have done in the past, so now it is imperative that I get off their books.

Perhaps my thread title should have been "How to Legitimately Unregister with SABC" because I will no longer have any RF capable devices in my house.
 
I hear your hurt but....

TV Licence cost per year: R265

Ultra conservative cost of new de-natured tv: R8000

Payback period: 30 years

My advice: pick your battles :p

EDIT: ah just saw your latest post. Yeah get that account sorted before it gets handed over. And get everything in writing because there is no prescription of "debt" on outstanding TV licence fee as it is not considered debt.
 
adrianj said:
Yes, but my current licence account with those cretins which had been up-to-date until last year now reflects 1) arrears for last year, 2) 10% penalty per month since the due date last year and now 3) the new licence fee due for this year. Given it is 10 months overdue, my current bill essentially reflects a fee of 3 X the annual fee is due. I know they will hand this over for collection to one of those collection agencies at some stage like they have done in the past, so now it is imperative that I get off their books.

Perhaps my thread title should have been "How to Legitimately Unregister with SABC" because I will no longer have any RF capable devices in my house.
Click to expand...

Do you listen to the radio in your car?
 
psion said:
Do you listen to the radio in your car?
Click to expand...

Haha, if my answer is yes, is that game, set and match in one sentence ?

Edit : A few years ago I could have said NO because I used to use my WorldSpace (subscription) satellite radio in my car because I did several hours a day in my car :g: Unfortunately WorldSpace collapsed.
 
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You do get big monitors that don't have tuners built in, look for proline. However the "TV Licence" applies to anything that can receive a signal, not just TV's, so if you running through a DSTV decoder, then well that's a receiver.
 
If we can come up with a way to legitimately un-register ourselves (in sufficient numbers) we can break a monopoly whose time was up many years ago
 
psion said:
You do get big monitors that don't have tuners built in, look for proline. However the "TV Licence" applies to anything that can receive a signal, not just TV's, so if you running through a DSTV decoder, then well that's a receiver.
Click to expand...

I haven't finished reading the other stuff that ITCynic very kindly linked in a reply.

Car radio aside, are you saying purely because my DSTV decoder receives a signal, albeit a paid, encrypted subscription with a non-state entity, then it counts as a receiver which is eligible for fees. I realise this is nothing to do with whether I watch (or can receive) SABC drivel, but I suppose I thought it was about receiving a "regular" TV signal.

If I make a crystal diode radio like the one I used to make with my Electronics-101 kit I suppose I would also have to pay a licence fee ?
 
It's not that simple, you also have to pay to get your equipment inspected to ensure that it has no tuner, and this also has to be done every year. That used to cost R300 per year.

Once you are on their books you just have to pay.
 
entrepr said:
If we can come up with a way to legitimately un-register ourselves (in sufficient numbers) we can break a monopoly whose time was up many years ago
Click to expand...

Yes. The problem with just becoming a non-payer now is the eternal hounding from these collection agency scum and the fact that the CPA does not apply.

It does burn my ring A LOT that something will be happily watching TV using my stolen set and they will never in one million years be brought to account to pay the licence fee. Can you imagine a state campaign to enforce the licence fees :wtf: That would be far too many votes down the drain.
 
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What about this opinion in the MBB article linked here

Not so fast

Rolf Blom, a legal consultant at Ellipsis Regulatory Solutions, disagrees with Rice and Boucher.

Blom said that a television which does not have a TV tuner, or where the TV tuner was removed, would be classed as denatured device which does not require a TV license.

Blom added that a TV license will also not be required when using a DStv decoder connected to a TV without a TV tuner. “Given the fact that licence fees aren’t used to finance Multichoice, a TV licence is not required,” said Blom.
 
@adrianj
A couple years ago I, just like you, got absolutely gatvol funding these jokers so I finally decided to finally do something about it... with a screwdriver + soldering iron in hand I proceeded to remove my tv tuner myself! It was actually easy-peezy! I then downloaded the relevant "denature document" from the TV license website, filled it out and then went to a police station to obtain an affidavit stating as such. I then delivered the papers in person to the SABC.
They continued to harass me for about a year after submitting everything, but then one day out of-the-blue a shiny golden letter arrived in my post box – woohoo I'm now officially exempt :D (ok ok it was only shiny and golden in my mind)

Summary:
DIY removal therefore rand cost = R0
Time cost = 1-2hrs total (30mins on DIY, 30mins police station, 30-60mins at SABC)
No need for official certificate from electrical shop,
No visits from SABC officials (well not to date anyway)

DO IT TODAY!
 
Thanks Paul.

Sounds good, but I think you are lucky in a few respects.

1) That they actually actioned the denature document you submitted. I bet they are even more desperate to hang onto any registered licence payers these days !

2) That you didn't get inspected at that time.

3) That you are not being harassed for the annual inspection fee.

I can see myself doing this and then becoming liable for the annual R300 inspection fee as pointed out in post number 13 above. I also don't feel like attacking my hopefully soon to be purchased "in warranty" flat-screen TV with a soldering iron to disconnect the tuner. Maybe I can get a manufacturer agent to do it and therefore not mess with the warranty. I would gladly have tried this on the old one, but that is now sitting in a shack somewhere I presume.

Does the letter from those idiots not make any mention of having to prove that your TV is still denatured every year ?

I have never seen a TV licence inspector in my life. In this day and age of criminals presenting fake credentials, posing as meter readers, smart-meter installers, etc, etc., there is no way I am ever easily letting any supposed TV licence inspector onto my property.
 
They`re hounding me as well. Collection agencies calling on a weekly basis.

I told them my tv was stolen, and they continued to bill me with penalties after that. Now they told me I had to complete a form, and go to the police station to get an affidavit, and give them the case number. and I still have to pay for last year even though I didn`t have a TV.

Nope, sorry, not going to do any of that.
If they believe I have a TV for which I didn`t pay a they`re welcome to come and collect my TV if they have the proper authority to enter my house,
I don`t owe them anything, that would mean that they gave me credit, and I don`t recall applying for credit, or them checking whether I can afford the debt.

I`ll do everything in my power not to give them a cent.
 
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