I'm looking for recommendations for the smallest functional DVD player I can find. I presume I'm going to be relegated to one of those mini-players with the 7" screens.
You do not necessarily have to buy a DVD player with a little screen. For example, I found with a minimal Google search a 1/2 DIN car 12V DVD player ( HALF DIN DVD/ CD/ MP3/ Player ). We used for several years a small (not as small as 1/2 DIN) Blaupunkt 12V DVD player and it was great. It came with a "brick" power supply to run off 120V if necessary, but we just had it wired into the Airstream's 12V system.
Ok, so it turns out the 23" Toshiba with the built-in DVD player won't fit on the fridge wall. Well, actually it will fit, but the DVD slot is on the right hand side, too close to the wall to easily get the DVD in and you can't see the controls.
We found a cheap 19" Insignia at Best Buy/Future Shop with a build in DVD player on the left side, as well as a 22" Ventura at Sams Club, but virtually everyone we've talked to, including some salesmen, have steered us away from the no-name brands.
Since I can't locate a 19"-23" name brand LCD TV with a DVD build in on the left side where I need it, my only option may be to buy one without a built-in DVD. The advantages are that there's plenty of LCD TV's to choose from, and they're generally a lot thinner so won't interfere with anyone sitting at the dinette.
But since we want to be able to play DVD's (we mostly frequent provincial parks with no cable and very few over-the-air stations available) I'm looking for recommendations for the smallest functional DVD player I can find. I presume I'm going to be relegated to one of those mini-players with the 7" screens.
I'd much prefer to have an integrated unit, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.
Have you thought about a flip down screen? They go under the cabinet and have a small screen. Usually with speakers. People put them in their home kitchens alot. Best Buy and other places have them online to look at.
I would not recommend buying an intergrated unit because if the DVD player malfunctions you have ruined you unit, according to the advice I was given.
We just had the local Airstream dealer mount ours on the cabinet behind the dinnette and it has an arm that pulls out and turns so you can view it from the dinnette or back to the living area. We are happy with it.
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This looks about the size of the Blaupunkt unit we used. If it is the same size, then it is a little more than twice the size of a 1/2 DIN unit, but, at that price, hey!
Have you thought about a flip down screen? They go under the cabinet and have a small screen. Usually with speakers. People put them in their home kitchens alot. Best Buy and other places have them online to look at.
I don't think the flip-down screen would work since it would be too small to see from the couch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tslanier
I would not recommend buying an intergrated unit because if the DVD player malfunctions you have ruined you unit, according to the advice I was given.
I've heard that argument too, and while it's possible the DVD player might fail at some point, I don't see how it would affect the operation of the TV itself. But the more I think about it the more I like the flexiblity of not having the DVD built in. That way when blue-rays come down on price I don't have an obsolete built-in unit.
I installed a 20" VIZIO HDTV from Costco in the front of our '65 Caravel, against the front window, over the end of the dinette. Does great getting free HD over the air broadcast (where available) using the old, folding antenna on the Caravel. We use Dish network and have a Go Video DVD/VHS player/recorder. Didn't want a TV with built in DVD for trouble/replacement reasons.
We use our Mac Book Pro 17" with the Elgato eyetv hybird tuner. The tuner connects to the batwing antenna and will receive HDTV signals with no problem. Additionally easily connects to most cable service. You can play your favorite CDs and DVDs on the Mac Book and if you have an internet connection you can stream your favorite radio station anywhere in the world. Add a set of Bose speakers and let the entertainment begin. And of course you when you are not watching TV you can use the Mac Book to create photo albums of your latest Airstream outing or keep track of your travel budget. Nah forget about the budget thing.
We have Sharp 14" flat screen LCD, and wanted it on side of refrigerator cabinet, facing front couch.. Rather than hard mount, we used picture frame wire on rear and mounted sturdy picture hook to flimsy wall beside refrigerator. TV is removed and rides in padded comfort during transit, and is then hung is low stress way when parked, where fancy mounts and finding ways to strap it down while in motion are unimportant...
Many of the LCD TV's do use power converter to make 12V out of 110V AC, but Sharp insists running direct on Battery 12V is high risk, since TV power distribution can't handle wide variety in input voltages.. (Battery can put out 11.5 to 13.5V..)
ALL new TV's by now must have ATSC (digital) tuners in them, and will receive std or higher definition digital TV just fine from roof antenna.. We have two high def big screen TV's at home and roof antenna does terrific job. No cable, no satellites... Not sure how RV parks with analog cable setups are going to respond in 2009..
Better to be early than late requesting the $40 "Discount Coupons" the government is issuing for ATSC Tuner modules to allow continued free use of older TV's after SUper Bowl in 2009, when analog channels 2-88 will be shut down, and frequencies sold to other users. The Tuner boxes are still expensive ($75+), as they need to also have their own remote and power sources...
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We have a 2005 34' I put a 27" Samsung HD TV on the fridge bulkhead with no problems in 2 years and about 40,000 miles. You would need a stonger bracket than the swing out type. We went with Samsung as it has the smallest area around the actual piture and have used a samsung in our airstream since 1996.
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