need ideas on tv

[jjjonz]

I am shopping for a tv/dvd and would apreciatesome input.The last couple of rvs we had sat dishes on them.
I really didn't want to go that route....we even are thinking of a dvd player.
Since everthing went digital,it seems like it's harder to pick up over the air stations.

Thanks....JJ

[Ratkity]

Do you want a 12v? The biggest I found is a 13" dvd/tv that's a 12v and AC.

I think the brand was skyline via Amazon.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[eamarquardt]

A notebook/netbook will play cds, dvds, and with a "dongle" act as a television reciever. Plus you can tap the internet to do emails and all of the other cool things a computer can do for you.

I got a portable sat dish and tripod at a garage sale a while back. Decadent, yes. Practical, probabaly not, but for cheap why not have the option!

But tv's are pretty cheap. Lots of discussion re antennas I'm not sure you can count on good reception in a lot of the places I'd like to visit.

Cheers,

Gus

[Ratkity]

Tis true, TV reception is iffy in many places, but I made the redneck antenna and the fractal antenna (the fractal is smaller and I'm using that for the tear).

I haven't used my new setup yet! I took the 9" video screen out and put the 13" one in.

I can't wait until we thaw out!

Hugs,
Ratkity

[droid_ca]

I picked up a 22 inch tv with built in Dvd player off of ebay
sorry I forgot how much I paid
the brand name is naxa
it seems to work really well it even came with an adapter for the house

[Mike-n-Britney]

I carry a laptop for movies and such, and was going to go the Dongle route, but bought a 7" LCD-TV (deal-a-day) for less than a decent Dongle. It's really only for weather/news/etc. The laptop is an if-needed and just-in-case-of-rain option. The laptop did save me in Colorado last summer. My radiator blew out and the laptop/internet helped me find a new rad fast - without having to rely on questionable locals *. The TV is 12v and has a cigarette lighter plug, and I have a 12v adapter (w/ cig plug) for the laptop - no incredibly inefficient inverter needed (hate those things).

Another option: If you can find a Polaroid brand LCD-TV/DVD, they are 12v and most use a power brick. Just make your own cord with the appropriate plug on one end and cig plug (or your preferred 12v connector) on the other end. Or cut the brick off...

Some of the Polaroids have the power supply internally. Depending on how handy you are, you could open the case, remove the power supply and again, make your own cord.

Ideally, you should make a simple voltage regulator to put on your cord (could even fit inside the cig plug), it's basically just an IC and a diode - costs a couple bucks. My buddy has a larger camper trailer - a hybrid soft-side - and he bought one of these Polaroids and we made a cord for it with a voltage regulator in the plug. This way he can use the 120v cord and put the TV in his kids room, or take it in the RV and use it on 12v.

* - not that the locals in CO are questionable, but you never know how good the advice is that you will get from a random stranger..

[bobhenry]

Tis true, TV reception is iffy in many places, but I made the redneck antenna and the fractal antenna (the fractal is smaller and I'm using that for the tear).

I haven't used my new setup yet! I took the 9" video screen out and put the 13" one in.

I can't wait until we thaw out!

Hugs,
Ratkity

THE REDNECK ANTENNA........





I have gotten as many as 32 channels in a couple camping areas close to major cities.

[droid_ca]

I just ordered a new tv off ebay it was a little pricey but for extended camping out in the middle of nowhere I thought it would be nice to have a little bit of luxury but I think just to be safe I'm going to get an extra battery and set it up into the trailer so I don't kill everything

[Lgboro]

Haven't installed it yet but purchased a Skyworth 13.3" with a built in dvd. It has really good speakers compared to any other small tvs that I had looked at and doesn't require external speakers like most small tvs and laptops.

[Shadow Catcher]

We have a Sansui 21" 120AC TV/DVD, easy to find and the Naxa failed on MM#1
I have a sat dish that can be attached with four suction cups to the top of Compass Rose and sat receiver that I use at home.
Yes Digital is more difficult to receive well. I tried an antenna that did not do well and finally what I settled on is an amplified antenna http://www.jacktv4free.com and the results were truly astonishing, I picked up more than twice as many digital signals. this goes on the same sat mast.

[Deryk the Pirate]

tv? I havent owned one of those in years lol. If you have a smart phone you could get an app for netflix, and some phones have a mini hdmi port that with an adapter can plug it into a high def screen and watch movies on it through your phone....Im thinkin that route for additional entertainment.

[Aaron Coffee]

I bought a laptop and dnogle for camping, have only used it once and here are my thoughts. I find it takes more time to start the compeuter up, needs amplified speakers, if you are in a new area it is a little more difficult than a TV to scan for new channels, the positives are that it is more compact, and portable and it serves a dual purpose loading pics, internet etc. I just use a cheap truck tv antena bought at a local truck stop and can usually pick up around 6 channels.
Aaron

[droid_ca]

I just ordered a new TV its a bit bigger then my last ones but I really like that its made for boats has a warranty and is good around water as it has sealed circuits plus it'll be a major surprise when people see it
if your interested it's here on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... _500wt_924

[akula1]

I just got my Little Guy Silver Shadow, and morphed a lot of ideas together. I'll start with the 19" combo tv/DVD player (12v) from Wally World on line for $149.99. I then got a tv mount from Miejers for $20. I put in a cable outlet to feed to the outside, and put a all weather box out there ($15). I also purchased a expanding pool skimmer rod ($13), and mounted the GE HD omni directional antenna ($31) on top with 20' of cable. I only put the antenna up when I am stopped, otherwise it rides in the trailer. I have 2 1" crackers above my fender for the antenna to mount to. I get great reception, and can watch whatever I want.

I think I paid a total of ~$240 including the tv and cable. I have picture up here or at tearjerkers of my set up.

[H-Balm]

We'll end up using our ipad.

We don't watch much live tv anyway, so it fits our situation.