Legality is an interesting point. Many years ago I purchased a VHS cassette player (no tuner), the retailer sent my name and address to the authorities and I received a letter saying that I needed a colour licence (I had a mono licence). I wrote back, tearing them off a strip and telling them that the equipment did not have a tuner, did not need a licence and that they should instruct their agents (the retailer) accordingly. I received a very apologetic letter back from them.
I had had previous experience of something similar when a member of our Computer User Group was taken to court for not having a TV Licence when using a TV (minus tuner) as a monitor. They actually fell into a trap which was set for them. The tuner was removed from the TV and lodged (sealed,signed and dated by witnesses) with a solicitor. When it came out in court they were slated by the Magistrates for not checking that the TV actually contained a tuner. The case was thrown out.
