Do I have to get a TV licence from Billag?

Because we use it a lot. Watching DVD's, our own video recordings, we do photo slideshows.

Tamas

To seal the cable connector or simple deregistration doesn't work?

Have you compared what you pay Billag to what it would cost to buy a computer to view the DVD's video recordings and photo slideshows? Might be an interesting comparison.

I don't think that's an option. I bought this 30" flat TV used, works perfectly, my son can pops in a cartoon DVD to the player any time, I can plug my camcorder into the composite and it just plays instantly what I had recorded, same with my camera.

I do have a computer, and could play DVD, could offload the video through the firewire from my camera to watch it afterwards and of course can watch picture slideshows there. Usability is not even comparable to a TV set, bootup time is in minutes, and certainly my son is off-limits as far as a user.

And even if I were to accept all this, a 30" LCD (which is a rather modest TV size these days btw) costs thousands.

Tamas

Thanks, actually, that's part of my question. I am more than happy to remove/destroy the cable connector's socket on the TV and cut its lead cable inside the set. If somebody confirmed thats enough for Billag that would make my day.

I am not sure what you mean by deregistration?

Tamas

Okay - now I understand.

I think your 'destroy the tuner' rather than 'seal the socket' would be a safer bet as far as Billag is concerned:

http://www.ofcom.admin.ch/themen/rad...x.html?lang=en

De-soldering the tuner, stamping on it and then have remains to show should surely satisfy the most dilligent visiting Billag official.

Not sure I agree regarding the cost - if you're paying thousands of CHF for a 30" LCD (especially one which you are planning to deliberately damage) then you're being ripped off. [EDIT: Even more so if it's second-hand, which I didn't notice on first reading]. I agree that a 30" is relatively modest, and Billag costs could quickly rise to this value.

Regarding usability, that of course is an individual preference.

Whats gets me is that my Belag is due on the 1st September , I pay quarterly, but they send me the bill at the end of June, I guess hoping that I will pay it months ahead of when it is due.

Sorry for not being clear. I did not pay thousands of CHFs for my TV, it was about 200CHF second hand.

The argument was about substituting the TV with a computer - meaning a computer and a monitor obviously. I do not know any non-TV 30" LCD monitors below 2000CHF. Of course I would not deliberately damage that if it existed ...

Tamas

If I was looking for an HD monitor for that price I'd be seriously tempted by a CHF 2699 Apple HD 30". Of course, there's no computer attached to that, and I'm in danger of going seriously off-topic here. And if you've already got the TV for CHF 200 then there's no problem ripping just about anything out of it

Do you have radio as well (car, portable, etc?)

Yes, I do.

Tamas

This is also part of Bilag, so another fee for you to add on. But maybe radio charges are OK?

Yes, I use the radio a lot. Currently I am paying both, I want to stop paying the TV fee only.

Tamas

The radio antenna of my car was stolen, so as far as i understand, i now don't have any equipment capable of receiving radio signals. I do have a broadband connection, however. Does the "handicapped" radio on my car still counts?

cheers

I honestly can't believe some comments in this thread sometimes...

You may have to contact Bilag directly for this one... (since you can simply replace it)

PCDesigns, be kind to share which comments you "honestly can't believe...sometimes"

The ones where you put your head in your hands and say "really???"

go on, try it

anyone has a smarter answer?

Oh come on, get serious..

Diminished reception because of a missing antenna does not mean your radio is uncapable of receiving radio transmissions..!! Now if someone had stolen the radio then you might have a point.