TVs (with DVD player) for motorhomes/caravans

vbfg
vbfg Forum Participant Posts: 504
100 Comments
edited February 2018 in Parts & Accessories #1

I am thinking of buying a new TV/DVD player for my motorhome and my shared narrowboat,  which can only run off the batteries.  Any recommendations?

Comments

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #2

    We have a Cello 19" traveling tv 12v/240v built in freesat, freeview, DVD and usb port, very handy for taking prerecorded programmes away with you in case you don't have a signal.

    We have used it for the last 4-5 years in the motorhome with no problems. We also took it away with us on a canal boat trip in 2016 worked a treat with a briefcase type portable sat dish. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited February 2018 #3

    Or you can you not run a mains TV run via an inverter?much cheaper to buy

  • vbfg
    vbfg Forum Participant Posts: 504
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    edited February 2018 #4

    We do have an inverter on the boat which we use for the microwave, and vaccum cleaner but we can't use it for the TV and have always had a 12 volt TV.  We have had a small Cello for a few years now but the last 2 years I have found it awkward to tune in and if it does tune in, the slightest movement of the ariel loses the picture, so I thought that I would buy a bigger, more modern one and take my own which I can also use in my motorhome.  I was wondering what other makes are like apart from Cello. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #5

    Not had that problem could just be the TV is ready to change. There are other types I've seen mentioned on here such as Avtex, Finlux and I believe John Lewis do a 12v version as well.

    Just thinking about your current one, could it be something as simple as the connections are needing re-wired?undecided

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2018 #6

    Saw  the  latest  Avtex  16"  tv/dvd player  at  NEC  today  £285  as  far  as  I  recall  --  not  cheap  but  good.

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
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    edited February 2018 #7

    Very much a case of you get what you pay for in my opinion. We have (don't use it anymore) a Goodmans 20" TV/DVD which is the Cello with a Goodmans badge. Perfectly good TV apart from the viewing angle range and the sound quality isn't great. 

    When we changed caravans our new one came with a Vision Plus 18.5". A far superior TV in every way and as well as DVD it has a built in Satellite receiver and one touch tuning. But is twice the price of the Goodmans.

    cool

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited February 2018 #8

    Aldi, from Sunday onwards, are offering a 24inch TV with inbuilt DVD and Freeview, for £134.99 - including a 12v adaptor for 'caravans and boats'.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited February 2018 #9

    We`ve had a Vision Plus for some time, they have one advantage a neat stand which folds into the body makes carrying a little easier.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited February 2018 #10

    The TV that the dealer installed in the MH bedroom is a vision plus, its a great 12v set....

    considering it's connected to our Sky+ HD box by RF as a 2nd set (there is another HDMI connected set in the lounge) it has a terrific picture.

    Really impressed.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #11

    We have a rather nice 21 inch Avtex in our motorhome, really excellent picture.

     

    David

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
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    edited February 2018 #12

    We had one from Aldi (branded Baehr or something like that) last year, but returned it due to sound quality issues. It wasn’t too bad on TV but the volume level and clarity when using the DVD was poor. Even at full volume it wasn’t easy listening.

    no problems getting money back and we bought an Avtex. Considerably more expensive but a much better performance.

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
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    edited February 2018 #13

    We have an 18" Avtex TV & DVD  12v or 230v in the van. We use it on 12v all the time as it saves messing with the power pack. Think we got it about 8 years ago, never had a problem with it.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2018 #14

    I bought a 16" Traveller from Falcon( advert in Club mag) at the October show. Haven't used it much yet though.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #15

    If it is like the one I got from the same source a few years ago (at a somewhat lower price!) it is actually a 12 volt TV with an adaptor to drop/rectify the 240 volt mains.  Most transistor and microchip equipment actually runs inside on low voltage direct current even though it has a three pin plug on the end of the lead.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited February 2018 #16

    This is the one being advertised at ALDI - 

    This Bauhn 24" HD TV/DVD with Freeview will be the perfect addition to any room in your home. With built in HD Freeview you'll be able to continue watching your shows while relaxing. Meanwhile, the DVD player means you can watch a few of your favourite films too. Small and compact this TV/DVD combo would also make a great addition to a kitchen, caravan or child's bedroom.

    Accessories Included
    12V DC Car Adaptor and remote control with batteries
    Features
    Integrated DVD player
    Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
    Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full high definition
    Response time: 16ms
    Brightness: 180 cd/m2 (+/-10%)
    Impedance 4Ω
    Frequency response 100Hz~15KHz @+/- 3dB
    Electronic program guide
    PVR Function - Record, pause, playback
    Built-in speakers (output: 2 x 3w)
    Comes with 12v DC car adaptor
    Sleep timer
    Parental lock function
    USB Port for easy playback of video, picture and music files from external sources
    Freeview function

    Ports

    1 x RF (Antenna)
    1 x HDMI
    1 x CVBS (Mini)
    1 x YPBPR (Mini)
    1 x USB
    1 x VGA
    1 x PC Audio
    1 x RJ45
    1 x SCART
    1 x CI
    1 x Earphone Out
    1 x Optical Out


    Guarantee/Warranty
    3 years
    Ideal For
    Rooms with limited space such as the kitchen, a child's bedroom or even a caravan!

    I thought it seemed good value - and as we only like small televisions we may replace our somewhat old home TV.  (I've just measured our current TV and it's a 20 inch screen!!!)

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2018 #17

    Costco would wasted on you then Vaĺ. They had a telly right at the front of the store today. 86" & a mere snip at just £5999.98 😉

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2018 #18

    Cooooor  surprised

    With  a  bit  of  judicious  hammer  and  cold  chisel  work  my  neighbours  could  watch  that  as  well!!cool

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited February 2018 #19

    I've always hated big screen TV - I think back to the days when the screen sizes made everyone look really fat!  And talking about neighbours watching, years ago, in the very early days of TV from alternatives to BBC and ITV, our friends in Bramhall wondered why, at certain times, they got 'interesting channels' suddenly coming through on their TV.  Apparently it was somehow picking up what their neighbour was watching, on whatever system he was using, and when the neighbour's wife went to bed he watched some rather explicit films - and so did they! 

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