Caravan TV advice.

PhilDK replied on 11/02/2023 09:12

Posted on 11/02/2023 09:12

Hello,
I have just bought my first caravan and are getting ready for our first outing.
I'm looking into getting a TV for the caravan, probably no more that 22" and with a DVD,

I have been looking into the Avtex TV's with various comments about low quality of the DVD player and picture quality.

Any guidance on a brand / model  that would be suitable would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You all for your time.
Phil.

Trini replied on 14/02/2023 16:56

Posted on 14/02/2023 16:56

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.

 

commeyras replied on 14/02/2023 18:09

Posted on 14/02/2023 18:09

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 relaxcool.

 

  

allanandjean replied on 14/02/2023 20:54

Posted on 14/02/2023 20:54

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.

 

SteveL replied on 15/02/2023 08:19

Posted on 14/02/2023 18:09 by commeyras

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 relaxcool.

 

  

Posted on 15/02/2023 08:19

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.

peedee replied on 15/02/2023 10:33

Posted on 15/02/2023 10:33

I have watched F1 via the Astra 1 satellite >RTL< German channel with sound on radio 5 live! I assume it is still free to air and it maybe also streamed although I have never tried the latter.

peedee

DavidKlyne replied on 15/02/2023 13:58

Posted on 15/02/2023 13:58

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

Tammygirl replied on 15/02/2023 16:16

Posted on 15/02/2023 16:16

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. 

PhilDK replied on 16/02/2023 11:23

Posted on 16/02/2023 11:23

Thanks everyone for your advice.

We have decided to go for a Avtex 19.5 Inch TV Triple Tuner Pro Series 9 (L199DRS-PRO).

Happy travels

Phil.

 

Surfer replied on 16/02/2023 15:35

Posted on 16/02/2023 11:23 by PhilDK

Thanks everyone for your advice.

We have decided to go for a Avtex 19.5 Inch TV Triple Tuner Pro Series 9 (L199DRS-PRO).

Happy travels

Phil.

 

Posted on 16/02/2023 15:35

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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