12v Caravan/Boat TV - Satellite - Help!
Discussion
Right, after 3 years I think it's time to sort out a TV for the caravan (and my Dad would like to share it for use on his boat).
Now I know that Avtex are supposedly the 'daddies' of mobile 12v TV's, so I'm happy to go with them.
But what I have no knowledge of, is how easy it is to get the satellite signal or what equipment is best for it.
Does anyone have experience?
Thanks!
Now I know that Avtex are supposedly the 'daddies' of mobile 12v TV's, so I'm happy to go with them.
But what I have no knowledge of, is how easy it is to get the satellite signal or what equipment is best for it.
Does anyone have experience?
Thanks!
I guess if you go to a specialist installer they will do everything for you...but at a cost. Worth doing some reseacrh and then asking for some quotes unless you are up for doing it yourself 
We have a dish on our MH which is self seeking so it latches onto the available satellite providing it can get a line of sight. It worked over in Cologne this summer so we got all the UK TV whilst there (tbh we only wanted the teletext updates over breakfast). We have an 85cm dish and the dish size does make a difference in terms of what you can receive and where, whilst abroad. If you are only staying in the UK then size is no issue!
There is a really useful article here...
http://www.falcon-security.co.uk/receiving-uk-tv-c...
Our dish is wired into this...
http://www.audio-electrical.co.uk/bush-12v-12-volt...
...which works fine. You then connect this with your TV. You can aalso pick up similar refurbished ones on Fleabay for £30 or so. Alternatiively you can connect your SKY box apparently which also works fine (and you can get your Sky channels) but I dont have one of those so best doubble check with someone who does this.
I suspect as you say you can get TVs with built in freesat capability...but probably worth pricing these off against a box and more standard TV. The other thing to think about is where you will keep the freesat box if you went that way. Its not great having leads etc all over the shop in a confined place. Ours is wired in (I got the dealer to do it when they moved our sat dish from our last MH to the current one) and the box sits in an overhead cupboard out of the way.
Aside from a self seeking dish you can get a non self seeking dish; a dome; and also the free standing ground dishes. I dont have these options so best let someone else comment on those
For terrestrial digital TV there is loads of info here...
http://www.aerialsandtv.com/touringaerials.html
we have an aerial similar to this (Im not sure of the exact model number we have)...
http://www.towsure.com/vision-plus-status-550-dire...
...and a TV with built in freeview. The TV came with the old MH so we moved it across with us. This one is in the bedroom in the MH (and the other one is in the front lounge). Both TVs are capable of receiving signals from either Sat or aerial.
Its useful having the back up of the aerial if we cannot get line of site or are on a site with plug in digital TV on each pitch. On CC sites where they have this this sell a 25m cable plus plugs (around £15 plus £1, from memory) which I carry with me now just in case.
If you are after proper, decent, down to earth advice from an expert then try Dave Newell up Telford way. He has a great reputation and writes articles about this kind of stuff for Practical MH et al. He can be trusted and his prices are decent as well. I have no connection with him other than the work he has done on my MH's.
The last thing I would say is to consider getting a TV with a built in DVD player. Both of ours have this and if we are away on holiday and its raining or we just fancy it, we will watch a film. Ebay and charity shops are great for older films plus £-land do refurbished ones for...er...a pound! For newer stuff HMV are always flogging DVDs for 2 for a fiver; 3 for a tenner etc...
Good hunting
We have a dish on our MH which is self seeking so it latches onto the available satellite providing it can get a line of sight. It worked over in Cologne this summer so we got all the UK TV whilst there (tbh we only wanted the teletext updates over breakfast). We have an 85cm dish and the dish size does make a difference in terms of what you can receive and where, whilst abroad. If you are only staying in the UK then size is no issue!
There is a really useful article here...
http://www.falcon-security.co.uk/receiving-uk-tv-c...
Our dish is wired into this...
http://www.audio-electrical.co.uk/bush-12v-12-volt...
...which works fine. You then connect this with your TV. You can aalso pick up similar refurbished ones on Fleabay for £30 or so. Alternatiively you can connect your SKY box apparently which also works fine (and you can get your Sky channels) but I dont have one of those so best doubble check with someone who does this.
I suspect as you say you can get TVs with built in freesat capability...but probably worth pricing these off against a box and more standard TV. The other thing to think about is where you will keep the freesat box if you went that way. Its not great having leads etc all over the shop in a confined place. Ours is wired in (I got the dealer to do it when they moved our sat dish from our last MH to the current one) and the box sits in an overhead cupboard out of the way.
Aside from a self seeking dish you can get a non self seeking dish; a dome; and also the free standing ground dishes. I dont have these options so best let someone else comment on those
For terrestrial digital TV there is loads of info here...
http://www.aerialsandtv.com/touringaerials.html
we have an aerial similar to this (Im not sure of the exact model number we have)...
http://www.towsure.com/vision-plus-status-550-dire...
...and a TV with built in freeview. The TV came with the old MH so we moved it across with us. This one is in the bedroom in the MH (and the other one is in the front lounge). Both TVs are capable of receiving signals from either Sat or aerial.
Its useful having the back up of the aerial if we cannot get line of site or are on a site with plug in digital TV on each pitch. On CC sites where they have this this sell a 25m cable plus plugs (around £15 plus £1, from memory) which I carry with me now just in case.
If you are after proper, decent, down to earth advice from an expert then try Dave Newell up Telford way. He has a great reputation and writes articles about this kind of stuff for Practical MH et al. He can be trusted and his prices are decent as well. I have no connection with him other than the work he has done on my MH's.
The last thing I would say is to consider getting a TV with a built in DVD player. Both of ours have this and if we are away on holiday and its raining or we just fancy it, we will watch a film. Ebay and charity shops are great for older films plus £-land do refurbished ones for...er...a pound! For newer stuff HMV are always flogging DVDs for 2 for a fiver; 3 for a tenner etc...
Good hunting
The OP refers to 12v tv, which would indicate that he wants to use it without EHU?
Sky boxes and freesat boxes need 240volts.
The Avtex 12v TV can be got with built in freesat, which I assume works off 12v. However the Avtex TV is a very expensive bit of kit, and is inferior to normal 240v tv's. If the OP is intending using EHU, a normal 240v tv plus sat box ofchoice would imho be a better option.
I started wih an avtex a few years ago, but as I needed 240v for my sky box I ditched the avtex and now use a Samsung - bigger screen, better picture, cheaper to buy.
Also, using an avtex with no EHU will flatten the leisure battery PDQ.
Paul
Sky boxes and freesat boxes need 240volts.
The Avtex 12v TV can be got with built in freesat, which I assume works off 12v. However the Avtex TV is a very expensive bit of kit, and is inferior to normal 240v tv's. If the OP is intending using EHU, a normal 240v tv plus sat box ofchoice would imho be a better option.
I started wih an avtex a few years ago, but as I needed 240v for my sky box I ditched the avtex and now use a Samsung - bigger screen, better picture, cheaper to buy.
Also, using an avtex with no EHU will flatten the leisure battery PDQ.
Paul
Think you've got more than one option and Oblio's given you some good advice but here's my two pennorth.
Firstly I'd wait till the Motorhome and Caravan exhibition next month at the NEC. I can't wait since I'm after loads of gizmos for my M/H and am making a list of what I'm after - reckon I'll be a bit like a kiddie let loose in a sweetshop
http://www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk/
You'll find the world and his brother there and I guarantee there will be companies exhibiting that supply what you're after. If you can't get there, just browse the website and you'll glean loads of info.
Re the 12v TV, we bought a 24 inch and 30 inch LG TV from Currys/PC World a couple of years ago. They both run off the mains, but the 240v goes into a transformer like you get on laptops that reduces the input voltage to the TV to 12v so I'm sure it'd run off the caravan/MH/Boat battery though tbh I've not tried it. Both of them have got 98 Freeview channels so just plug into a decent aerial (you'll get one at the show) and you'll be fine. Maxview are probably the market leaders in aerials but have a look and compare. Dunno about Sky, we find 98 channels enough but of course can't get Skysport. My wife's desolate that I can't sit there watching footie though
We specifically chose to pay a bit more by buying at Currys because I wanted their extended five year warranty, knowing the TV's weren't going to just be sitting indoors and could get issues with vibration and being moved/dropped. Sure enough the bigger one has had a problem, it kept switching itself off, but Currys were brilliant. Sent two men to put it in a nice custom made carton and repaired and returned it in a week - no charge. Why did we buy two TV's? Well we started with the larger one but sitting that close to the TV in our then caravan got a bit of eyestrain so moved that one to our home bedroom and bought the smaller one for the 'van. Cheap as chips too, you should get a good one for under £100, just make sure it's got the separate transformer thingamebob anbd Robert will indeed be your Mothers brother
Firstly I'd wait till the Motorhome and Caravan exhibition next month at the NEC. I can't wait since I'm after loads of gizmos for my M/H and am making a list of what I'm after - reckon I'll be a bit like a kiddie let loose in a sweetshop
http://www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk/
You'll find the world and his brother there and I guarantee there will be companies exhibiting that supply what you're after. If you can't get there, just browse the website and you'll glean loads of info.
Re the 12v TV, we bought a 24 inch and 30 inch LG TV from Currys/PC World a couple of years ago. They both run off the mains, but the 240v goes into a transformer like you get on laptops that reduces the input voltage to the TV to 12v so I'm sure it'd run off the caravan/MH/Boat battery though tbh I've not tried it. Both of them have got 98 Freeview channels so just plug into a decent aerial (you'll get one at the show) and you'll be fine. Maxview are probably the market leaders in aerials but have a look and compare. Dunno about Sky, we find 98 channels enough but of course can't get Skysport. My wife's desolate that I can't sit there watching footie though
We specifically chose to pay a bit more by buying at Currys because I wanted their extended five year warranty, knowing the TV's weren't going to just be sitting indoors and could get issues with vibration and being moved/dropped. Sure enough the bigger one has had a problem, it kept switching itself off, but Currys were brilliant. Sent two men to put it in a nice custom made carton and repaired and returned it in a week - no charge. Why did we buy two TV's? Well we started with the larger one but sitting that close to the TV in our then caravan got a bit of eyestrain so moved that one to our home bedroom and bought the smaller one for the 'van. Cheap as chips too, you should get a good one for under £100, just make sure it's got the separate transformer thingamebob anbd Robert will indeed be your Mothers brother
Edited by ColinM50 on Wednesday 28th September 10:01
Edited by ColinM50 on Wednesday 28th September 10:03
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/camping-and-caravanning-...
If the link works, I got a similar one of these portable sat systems from Aldi, I'm sure lidel also have them from time to time, bought a cheap laser level set which had a cracking aluminium tripod set up on it to attach the dish too, download an Ariel & satalite finder app on your mobile and away you go.
No good for a boat though.
If the link works, I got a similar one of these portable sat systems from Aldi, I'm sure lidel also have them from time to time, bought a cheap laser level set which had a cracking aluminium tripod set up on it to attach the dish too, download an Ariel & satalite finder app on your mobile and away you go.
No good for a boat though.
Edited by GAjon on Wednesday 28th September 10:06
Rosscow said:
Oblio, thanks for your post.
I was thinking more along the lines of a stand alone dish on a tripod that you just set up when you get there. Would love a self seeking one on the roof, but not at the money they command!
You can get self seeking stand alone dishes. I have one. Cost around £1200, but imho worth the lack of hassle in finding the satellite. I was thinking more along the lines of a stand alone dish on a tripod that you just set up when you get there. Would love a self seeking one on the roof, but not at the money they command!
nutsytvr said:
The OP refers to 12v tv, which would indicate that he wants to use it without EHU?
All my rig up works off 12v as well. The freesat box that I linked to can do either 240/12v and I believe there are loads out there that can as well. I cant vouch for the Sky as I don't have one...The big show is a good idea but watch your wallet!! I'd pick their brains on the set up and then shop around for the kit. They will probably do 'show special pricing' but worth taking your tablet and checking whilst having a cup of tea I reckon.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff