Caravan TV advice.
Comments
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We have bought 2 Cello (19.5 & 24") Both have a DVD fitted with the 19.5 model having a sat receiver fitted.
Both of which have been very good.
We bought an Avtex 24" last year primarily because of the useless 'whip' aerial fitted on our 2014 Elddis is very unreliable (coincedentally Avtex made the aerial) and hoped the Avtex would prove better reception.
Regretably not the case. In fact the 19.5 Cello receives more stations.
We have noticed that the software on the Avtex is the same as used by Cello.
When travelling we pack the tvs away then hang them back on their brackets when setting up.
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Gosh, every one to their own but people have quite complex ways of getting TV! If you only want to watch terestial TV and play DVDs and use mainly EHU all you need is a simple inexpensive TV. We take a Bush 23in with integral DVD (bought at Argos years ago), at home sits in the bedroom. Many years ago when you could receive UK TV using a disc we had the kit - it now sits in our loft gathering dust! When on the continent, which is where we do most of our caravanning, should we ever feel the need to watch TV, having retuned to country, we can receive but in the local language; however, as this would only be very major sporting events such as a Grand Prix, this is not a problem. But we are old fashioned and much prefer to spend our evenings visiting a local bar/ restaurant, or sitting outside, having a BBQ, chatting to fellow caravanners with a glass of wine away from the goggle box! Its amazing who you meet in far away places, hello A&J! Travelling, the TV sits under a bed in the towel/bedding storage clean space. We rarely experience reception problems but if we do, well so be it, not the end of the world, just dig out one of the books and relax
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As for commeyras, our viewing is very much related to where we are-in the UK in Spring & Autumn we will watch quite bit more than when sat by a beautiful Italian lake, with a nice bottle, or two, of Montepulciano to hand!
We do have a newspaper subscription which is usually accessible-even when you cant stream anything that you may be interested in due to wifi/mobile signal issues.
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however, as this would only be very major sporting events such as a Grand Prix, this is not a problem.
Like you when over there we don’t really bother with the TV, except for the odd DVD. However, good luck watching the Grand Prix on French terrestrial. Last year it was great right up until the race started, then the signal was encrypted.☹️ I also make use of an online newspaper, which last year I could download every day.
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F1 was one of the main reasons we initially went for satellite with a free standing dish and eventually graduating to an automatic dish on our previous motorhome. I suspect it's unlikely we will be venturing abroad in the motorhome in the future so trying to catch broadcasts while abroad won't be an issue. We now just use the Vision Plus built in roof top aerial on the current van which generally gives us a reasonable reception. I think our interest in F1 has decreased over the years although we do still try and catch the races on Channel 4 but often give those races through the night a miss although we do usually record them if at home.
David
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I like to have the TV to watch in the evenings when it's dark or chilly/cold outside.
Its great to be away in warm weather where you can go for a walk or bike ride in the evenings after dinner but you can't do that in the dark winter months.
I do take jigsaws with me but it's not always feasible to do them if we are on the move every couple of days.
After a day driving OH like to sit back and relax in the evenings, so having something to watch is relaxing for him.
We both have decent sized tablets that we can connect to the mifi or we can cast something to the TV from our phone or tablet. We even have a Firestick we could use if no satellite signal can be found.
We do read books but we both find it tiring on the eyes so tend to restrict it to just before bed.
Everyone is different, just enjoy what you do your way.
We have a Sniper 22" and a Cello 19" both are 'traveller' TVs nice and light but robust, both have built in dvd, freesat, freeview and a USB port.
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Congrats. We bought the Avtex 21" in 2015 and we are now on our third one as the others developed faults and were replaced. After sales service from the supplier is great. We now use that TV in the bedroom area of the caravan and an LG 240v 28" on the front chest of drawers. We also take our Sky+ HD box with us to be able to watch various programs in the evenings when it is cooler.
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I have only had Avtex TVs so have nothing to compare them with except large TVs in the house. In the caravan I used to have a 19" with built in DVD but with the range of TV channels now available and buying a motorhome about 8 months ago I upgraded to a 21" Avtex Smart TV which I find fantastic. and I pair it to my iPhone.
I have always found the Avtex units have a really sharp image, good viewing angle and a first class tuner. Incidentally I have always got a very good price when selling them to upgrade so they must be popular !2 -
We've had Avtex TVs over the years and use one in the kitchen at home. The frustratiion we find is that you can only record onto memory stick and then only the single programme you were tuned in to. If you want to leave the room, that's OK but if you want to watch one programme and record another on a different channel for watching later, that isn't possible.
The next one will have to be twin- tuner at least but I don't think anyone other than Avtex make twin tuners.
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We watch TV via a Manhatten T3/R with 500 GB storage ( 1 terabyte also available) Even with a smart TV the Manhatten is a better option with the record facility you can record 2 chanells and watch a 3rd if you wish. The unit can be mounted vertically to save space, all you require is a decent amount of data to tether from your phone ( we have 2 x 100 gb and never get anywhere near that) we don't watch that much TV when away but it's nice to have the option to record as well as using all the TV apps including ITV X
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I have used a JVC 22in TV in my caravan and can highly recommend ..... when choosing your TV think about features required ...
DVD player ?
SMART TV ? (connect to wi-fi for Netflix etc)
Ease of Tuning ? (unless you are on a seasonal pitch you will need to re-tune when you move site)
The JVC ticks all of these boxes so is a great purchase for touring caravans.
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After my Avtex packed in while touring the west coast, I looked at a few alternatives and ended up buying a 19" Cello.Used to be Ferguson and now the only TV to be manufactured in UK ( whether that's a plus or a minus point - I am not sure ! )
So far, it has served me well and survived some bumpy rides while touring. Used off-grid at 12v, it's power consumption is OK and I'm very happy with the picture quality. You could buy two of these for the Avtex equivalent !
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We have used older tv and built in dvd in the past, but have a Avtex now with sound bar fitted, ,also wall mounted to swing forwards or backwards also handy having built in Sat decoder to use with external Dish. I have found that it pays to go with things built especially for purpose you pay more BUT it pays in the long run,Tv and Sound bar run on 12volt or Mains
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