TV in Campervan

[nesty]

I am looking for options of a TV in my T25. Mainly going to be traveling alone I might want to watch a bit of TV in evening whilst away!

What set ups have people got in there T25's?

[AngeloEvs]

You have two choices, conventional aerial but you will need to rescan for the channels as you move around or a satellite system which will need to be set up and pointed to the Astra Satelitte which can be a problem if you don't have location on the van to attach a mini dish such as the Multimo. Both available for 12V operation. Choice of TV is pretty much what you want in size and cost. Don't use those interior aerials even if they have an integrated amplifier, useless for digital, get a decent external aerial from a camping accessory shop such as the Maxview! I have sky sat ..... a Pace 12V mini sky box and a flat plane Kathrein dish mounted on the roof luggage space(no subscription required).

[nesty]

Ideally at first I was just going to settle on a TV/DVDcombo and make do with the 5 terestial channels! Not sure I got space on the roof for an Arial as don't have a static roof but a pop top Holdsworth.

So would the Aerial below be no good then for reception?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Maxview-Caravan-i ... 335ac5602e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AngeloEvs]

you need to check as the analogue service is to be discontinued (may already be). You will need to go digital and the interior aeriels simply don't work for digital reception in my experience. See what others say but the old 5 channel analogue service is virtually dead or soon will be. I tried several top of the range indoor types and even one of those flying saucers on a roof and they were all pretty useless and a waste of money. The best was the outdoor aerial that you see on most caravans and I got excellent reception with that but even then certain channels would drop out in certain locations. With digital you will need to rescan the channel list as you move around the country. There have been a few threads on this subject and the best aerial is featured in many of them.

[horns]

I use a Digital TV card shoved in my laptop, as I usually have it with me, it takes up a lot less space than a TV, and it can play movies too. Pop a set-top aerial up in the hightop and Bob's your uncle.

[nesty]

Do you get a decent reception on the laptop? You use a normal indoor ariel?

[ghost123uk]

I use a Digital TV card shoved in my laptop, as I usually have it with me, it takes up a lot less space than a TV, and it can play movies too. Pop a set-top aerial up in the hightop and Bob's your uncle.

I do the same

Though I find a decent proper outdoor camping aerial is often needed.
You just have to figure out how your going to mount it.
I use a thin(ish) 6 ft pole and fasten it to the van with an elastic rope !!

Type the search = USB DVB into eBay and you will see lots of these Freeview tuners to choose from. Note that the supplied indoor aerial will NOT work unless you are only a mile from the transmitting mast !! I also recommend buying a short USB extension lead to prevent possible physical damage to the socket on the laptop from the solid box that is the Freeview tuner.

When you first turn up at a new site, you have to figure out which way to point the aerial.
Then you have to do a "scan" with the freeview tuner to locate the (many) channels in that area - this can take a while with some boxes. Then you are good to go until you next move on.

[horns]

Do you get a decent reception on the laptop? You use a normal indoor ariel?

Depends very much where you are, really. I don't watch enough TV while I'm away to warrant anything better, though.

Rather than USB, I use a PC card that fits neatly in the slot in the side of mr laptop...

[Red Westie]

I've been through several aerials over the last two years, none of the internal aerials really work, very hit and miss and I've tried two different tellies, a small 8 inch TV/DVD/Freeview unit and a Freecom DVBT stick in my laptop and it's just so hit n miss with internally mounted aerials even with a powered 12v booster fitted.
I'm hanging my nose over a Status Image 430 (also known as theImage 530/18-2) it got some sort of award for the best/compact etc aerial, we will see (the one at £22.55)

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/Carava ... -18-2.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[nesty]

I got the Status 530 off ebay for £40. Came with Airel, fixing bracket and all the poles! Now I just need the telly!

[AngeloEvs]

430/530 definitely the best of all the ones I have tried.........some have a small rod at right angles (dipole) for radio reception but, whichever, the most popular ones seen on caravans, campers, boats, etc.

[nesty]

I haven't got the 530 on the van yet. However tested it in my house tonight on the plasma. It wasn't very high and inside and I still could make out the picture on the tv. Ok it was a bit grainy, but under the circumstances it was a good picture

[Red Westie]

Contact Andybobdogs for a great deal on a 12volt flat screen TV, all with freeview, he has also got some with built in DVD player, all a fraction of new cost.
I bought a 15.4inch Grundig with built in DVD and Freeview from Andy last week. He is an Ex TV man and knows his stuff.

Martin

[nesty]

OK thanks for this. I recently discovered my parents bedroom TV is a Techwood 16' DVD & Freeview flat screen & it can runs 12v!

Borrowing this for the journey & seeing how I get on with it! Then either might buy it off them or then look for one for myself.

[daschmoo]

Be careful running these tvs off 12v - although they are 12v DC they are designed by the manufacturers to run via their transformer and are rarely covered by warranty when running on 12v!