Smart TV/DVD

anglian
anglian Forum Participant Posts: 46
edited July 2019 in Parts & Accessories #1

We want to replace our TV/DVD player for a Smart TV/DVD player. We have 4G Mobile WiFi in the caravan so that in theory we can stream from IPlayer etc and watch Amazon Prime. Does anybody have experience of using a Smart tv in their caravan, and if so is their a make they could recommend?

We thought the Avtex TV looked good, but they are pricey and nowhere can we see if the apps include Netflix and Amazon Prime, whereas we could pick up a Bush from Argos for half the price.

WE have try to alter our TV to a smart tv by using an Amazon Firestick but it will not pair with our TV.

Thank you

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  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #2

    We have a free sat box which in effect turns our older avtec into a smart TV. Yes it does include Netflix too and pairs with mifi. Will say you get what you pay for and the quality of Avtex is excellent.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #3

    I did post on here. a couple of days ago, that Curry's currently have an offer on Google Chromecast for £20 (if it's still on!).  Our Avtex TV doesn't have a Smart capability - but now it does, thanks to Chromecast. It does mean 'casting' from your mobile phone, but that's not a problem, now that I have downloaded all the usual catch-up TV Apps, and I have Netflix on there, anyway.

    In the past, I have tried cheap TVs in the van and reception has been variable, especially if the signal is slightly weak.  The Avtex, however, performs faultlessly in all but the most difficult of areas and I do think it was worth the extra money.

     

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,682 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #4

    Just as an addendum - are you sure the new Avtex TV is 'Smart'?  Ours - a 7 series, definitely isn't and I've just looked at the spec for the 9 series and there's no mention of it being 'Smart'?

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #5

    Cello now have a 'Smart' tv out. 

    We don't bother with a 'Smart' while away but do have one at home.

    We recently replaced our Cello Traveller TV, by calling into their factory. Excellent service, you can see all their range of TV's and a member of staff will come through and go through everything with you. If you then choose to buy direct from them they will try out your TV before you take it away.

    We now have the 21" traveller TV with built in satellite, freeview, DVD and  USB the sound and picture quality is far better than the older set we had from them. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #6

    I would have thought the biggest single problem in using a smart TV in a leisure vehicle will be getting a good enough signal for reliable streaming. Unlimited data access will also be required.

    peedee

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2019 #7

    I have a 24" Samsung but without the dvd option and also have a 3 mifi which if you subscribe to Netflix at home you can log into it through the mifi and doesn't come of your data allowance of your contract.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited July 2019 #8

    We have the 22 inch Traveller with satellite tuner and DVD player bought last year.

    Very pleased with it and our friends, who looked at it whilst we were away recently, have now bought the smart version.

    We bought it partly to be able to ditch our old sky box, given to me many years ago, and used abroad.

    As said Chromecast will add the smart ability if needs be. 

     

  • scoobs308
    scoobs308 Forum Participant Posts: 19
    edited July 2019 #9

    We are about to try a Firestick in the caravan but we don't have to "pair" it, it just plugs into a hdmi. We are on Sky mobile with three sims so all the data we don't use rolls over into a piggy bank. We now have 80 gb saved up.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #10

    I was quite interested in the Chromecast. However on the advert it says it requires a WiFi network, can you cast straight from your phone without ?

    Agree re the Avtex, we have been using one for the last 5 years, that came with the Bailey U2 van. However, when we switched to a MH the screen was a bit large for its position only 5 /6 feet from where we sit. We therefore invested in the 16 inch model with combined freeview / freesat tuners and a DVD. Amazing picture quality, even better than the previous Avtex. Also ultra light at under 2kg.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited July 2019 #11

    I was quite interested in the Chromecast. However on the advert it says it requires a WiFi network, can you cast straight from your phone without ?

    Good point! A quick Google search suggests yes you can but looking closer it may not be for the I.T. faint hearted or impatient!

  • anglian
    anglian Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited July 2019 #12

    Thank you for all replies and tips. We still haven’t come to a decision - tried, and failed, with the Firestick again yesterday. We have plugged it straight into the HDMI on the back of the TV, which informs it is ‘enabled’ but after that, nothing, no online menu on the TV.

    Still thinking abut the Avtex, and yes, it isn’t a smart TV so thank you Richandros, but we do have the Firestick which I assume will work with it, if not with our Toshiba.

  • Phishing
    Phishing Forum Participant Posts: 597
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    edited July 2019 #13

    I have just got one of these, 12v, low current. 

    https://fergusontv.com/shop/tvs-by-size/22-30/22-smart-full-hd-traveller-tv-with-satellite-tuner/

    Tried it DVT, DVS, and Smart, all work fine and picture is good.

    Works fine but get a Bluetooth mini keyboard, the available Air Mouse works but no were near as good as a mini keyboard with touchpad. 

  • scoobs308
    scoobs308 Forum Participant Posts: 19
    edited July 2019 #14

    Anglian,

    Are you giving the Firestick a source of power, a usb supply from either a mains adapter or a feed from a usb socket on the tv.

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