What sort of TV to buy for my MoHo?
I collect my Hobby T500 next Friday. With most things sorted from ramps to a SafeFill propane cylinder, crockery and SatNav etc, etc I can now turn my attention to sorting a TV and would welcome advice on the best option. My needs:
1. Freeview TV. I also have an Amazon subscription but nothing else.
2. Ideally with built in DVD for sites with poor mobile and wifi reception but my research to date means I am not optimistic about getting this plus all other features.
3. A decent size set (likely 22" or 24" - I will need to check what will fit when in possession of the van) and with HDMI connectors so that I can plug in my Dell XPS13" and bluetooth so I can use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, will then have a decent size monitor for occasional work from my MoHo when that suits me. That replicates my home set up (albeit that I am spoilt by having 4K UHD res on a 26" screen!)
4. Full HD (1960 x 1080)
5. I have a Samsung Galaxy S10 5G running Android version 12 and a decent contract with EE with unlimited data. I am used to using my phone as a mobile hotspot.
6. My Hobby van has a decent 110Amp leisure battery and 130 Watt roof panel.
7. Initially I am looking to stay on sites with EHUs
8. I aim to tour Europe in this LHD van when work permits
So my questions:
A. 12V/24V sets seem to attract a massive premium. Is the 12/24V facility worth it? Or when on a site without EHU will a 12V/24V TV drain the leisure battery after say 3 hours of TV or working on the Dell XPS linked to the TV screen as monitor for a similar length of time? Maybe I should just buy a low consumption 240V model?
B. I almost certainly need a SMART TV. But I am looking at 12/12V TV's that are designed to function with Android. What is the difference between one of those and a SMART TV? The adverts for those are careful not to describe them as Smart TVs. They are much cheaper.
C. Will European sites offering 6 Amp max EHU (and some only 3!) impact upon my viewing ability?
C. I have a small portable inverter - Input 12V ~ 20A - Continuous (4 hours)Output Power 150W (Peak Power 300W) Output power 0.65 Amps. I would expect that could power the TV but how fast will it drain the leisure battery? Will I get a night's viewing without putting a serious strain on the leisure battery?
The Hobby Van comes with a roof mounted aerial and a mass of wiring. My (excellent) dealer has done a good job of getting the van in first class order but gives no warranty regarding TV hook up but I should have the basics already in situ. I have an old mains flatscreen 15" in the loft. I will set that up with the van on the drive and 240V power available and tinker to check that I can at least get a Freeview signal. Maybe I have a small enclosed FreeSat satellite dish as well!
In the short term I can get by watching via the Iplayer and ITVX on my Dell XPS but would like to sort a TV before my first proper trip in the UK at the end of June and certainly before my first trip abroad on 22.07.24.
All advice gratefully received!!! 😊
Chris
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Buy an Atex. They are not cheap but will do all you require.
Colin
Edit - for goodness sake, what is wrong with this site. It has taken me 5 attempts to get this reply posted.
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Forgive me Chris, but you may be over thinking this. We’ve had TVs in all our motorhomes over the last 40+ years and stayed on non electric sites/pitches and had no problems. However, we limit viewing to what we feel we really want to watch not just have it on constantly as background noise. Travelling between sites, along with our solar panel seems to maintain the batteries charge, well certainly during the sunnier months. Just keep a check on both leisure and vehicle battery state and adjust usage accordingly, never had a problem doing this. Another Avtex fan here, both 12v and 230v compatible and very good quality all round.
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We just use ordinary tv with hdmi socket and Amazon fire stick. if site wifi is good or hot spot phone in Europe . Also satalite if we can’t get wifi or phone signal
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I also have a free-sat box even though my Avtex has a satellite tuner. The box has an internet connection, even working when not attached to a dish, for web TV so I have all bases covered. Rarely get my sat dish out these days, in fact I can’t remember setting it up in the last three years. You don’t see many dishes on pitches these days, one or two on roofs of vans but they seem less used and less evident. SAT TV is probable going the same way as VHS and CDs. Lots of houses round us have removed them (dishes) permanently it seems. All of these items are 12v.
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So an internet enabled SMART TV with Freeview via an aerial with 1920 x 1080 high res would seem to be the minimum sensible spec and there is little added value to a built in satellite receiver though it almost certainly will come with the Freeview. A modest investment in a decent Freeview aerial and leave the rest to wifi and mobile hotspotting might seem to be the way forward. But I have just discovered the Avtex V249DS range which combines a smart TV AND DVD and has a premium of about £40 for that which is almost exactly what I would pay for a small add-on box. Now I just need to find a set that will not cost me £460 for a 24"!! Ouch what a price!! And only for part-time use!! However I have quite a few box sets and operas on DVD so the uplift might be worth it given that prices are in the stratosphere anyway.
For anybody that has not tried this before I add stuff to my Watch List on Ebay and frequently that produces an offer of a 5% or more saving. I have logged a large number of relevant sets in that way and so far have two offers. I am waiting for more. They may arrive too early for me to take up given that they expire after circa 36 hours. But they tell me what the dealer is likely to accept if I make the offer when I am ready. I do something broadly similar with Amazon by adding items to my basket and then removing them to "Save for later" where I can watch for price reductions on the specific model.
Chris
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Yes today a Smart TV is best and the Avtex will provide what you need ir DVD Smart etc, however I do find their software rather basic.
There are other options (cheaper and with the same spec) ie Cello some others available too.
The Cello does use a similar software however it seems to be a highrer spec than the Avtex (we have both the Avtex and Cello which we take along).
The Avtex does tho have a battery built in but we always use EHU so we cannot comment on this feature.
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Sorted! I was winning bidder on an ex-display "Avtex W249TS 24" Smart TV 240v AC/ 12v/ 24v DC 807630" on Ebay. Price - £215 compared with circa £420 for a brand new unit!! Ideally I would have liked to have got a 249 DS with built-in DVD player but at current prices of £450-460 I cannot justify that expense. I can pick up a pocket 12v DVD player for circa £40 and plug into my Avtex.
P.S. An added bonus - Given the price I was able to pay with accumulated Nectar points that recently got stolen from my Nectar account (leading to closure and a new account to which the stolen points were re-credited. Nobody seems to know how the thief did it.) So I was anxious to spend the points before they got snaffled again!!
Thanks all for your help!
Chris
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Pleased you’re sorted. I think that model also has an integral FreeSat tuner too. Can’t remember last time we used a DVD, think they are going the way of VHS. We do have a few favourite films etc. transferred to memory sticks. They too may soon be a tad old hat mind. Mostly we download stuff onto iPads now then send to TV via AirPlay for watching.
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I largely agree about impending redundancy of DVDs. However, as well as box sets, I have quite a few operas on DVD. They could while away a few hours with no mobile or Freeview reception! Now I might have to put up with a third remote and extra cables if I get a soundbar but at a saving of over £200 I can put up with that!!
Collecting the "WohnWagen" tomorrow. Wohoo!! Finally I have time to use it so it is off SORN and awaiting my collection. I shall be busy fitting things over the BH weekend and a man comes to fit some cameras for me on Tuesday (It is LHD and I am getting a 4 camera truck system fitted to keep me safe at a total cost which is surprisingly affordable.)
Chris.
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