Flat Panel TVs

[Barkingspider]

Originally Posted by basecamp

I think a 15" would be ok in the bedroom but it would drive me crazy trying to watch it in the lounge. Is there anyone out there who has a 24"+ flat panel

I have a Sony 23" LCD (model# KLVS23A10) in my 25' Classic. Tried a 26" first but that was WAY too BIG!!!!! The 23" is pushing it. If I had to do it over again........well don't know if I'd go smaller because I love the screen size but aesthetically it might look more appealling.

Joe

[Gen Disarray]

I use my laptop. It has an exceptionally large screen (17"or so) and the DVD player built in. For TV I bought an external tuner card that attaches to the coaxial from the antenna.

[RoadKingMoe]

Wow! Things have sure changed since this thread started. I wound up with a Dell Inspiron 8600, 2GHz Pentium M, 1 GB RAM, 60 GB 7200 rpm hard drive, dual-layer DVD burner, 128MB ATI 7600 Pro Turbo video, and 15.4" 1920 x 1200 resolution screen.

I feed that with a FusionHDTV USB Gold ATSC/NTSC tuner, which can also receive unencrypted QAM cable. I bought this in spite of reports it draws right at the maximum power from the USB port and that the included software is crap, because I thought I would want NTSC. Sure enough, the 8600 shut down it's USB port about half the time, so I got a powered USB hub for it. It's NTSC tuner also isn't that great, but once I started viewing ATSC digital TV, I took all the NTSC stations out of the line-up. The software I'm using with it is BeyondTV4, and it's excellent. The SnapStream.net guide is better than TitanTV.

Recording 720p and 1080i over the air is easy, but takes about 9GB per hour. Where it gets intense is viewing live TV (and you're recording at the same time for PVR functions like pause/fast forward). I reboot before doing so to clean up memory and the processor runs 55-80%, depending on motion, with 1080i. 720p is a little lower.

The only problem with doing this is the heat. If I prop the notebook up a little it helps, but if it gets too hot (and the fan is on a higher speed), the Pentium M starts scaling back its speed, so processor utilization goes WAY up, to 100% a few times.

For DVD viewing, I use a program called TheaterTek, which comes with some PureVideo drivers that will also work with other programs, like BeyondTV. It makes low-definition DVDs almost as good as HDTV (and WAY better than the typical PowerDVD), and I got the advanced audio pack which supports Dolby headphone.

It's pretty awesome watching 1080i shows with the notebook in my lap and the headphones on. On a table 4' in front of the two of us, it's also sharp, but we'd like something a lot larger for a 4' viewing distance, like a Dell 24" 1920 x 1200 monitor.


However... now that Apple has met me half-way with Intel powered computers and "Boot-Camp", so I can have Windows XP when I need it, and now that the processors in their lower end computers are finally fast enough to keep up with HDTV, I've decided to give them another chance (I owned Macs for about 10 years, 10 years ago). I've ordered the smallest, bare minimum cpu that can reportedly view 1080 without dropping frames, under OS-X or XP, the 1.67 GHz Intel Core-Duo Mac Mini with 2GB RAM, 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive, dual-layer burner, and wireless keyboard and mouse. This will feed a 23" Apple Cinema Display and a pair of Bose Companion 2 speakers (no subwoofer).

There are some downsides to the Apple route. One is that the 1.67 Core-Duo isn't quite as fast as the 2.0GHz Pentium M, and it uses shared memory for the video (which makes it slower than the G4 mini on some intense games) but most of the reports I've read say it's just enough. Apple's DVD Player software has a pretty poor reputation for image quality, even amongst Mac-evangelizing AV hobbyists, but I can always boot XP and use TheaterTek, if it is that bad. Another downside is that my existing ATSC tuner won't work with OS-X. Will have to buy an EyeTV 500 for that, but can use XP in the meantime. Apple's Front Row software is neat, but it doesn't support TV viewing/PVR and won't play DVDs (in .vob format) ripped to a hard drive. There's a freeware application called Media Central that will do that though, and I have Windows applications that can do it.


So that's what we're doing with TV these days. No more analog here. Nothing less than a 1080 progressively scanned display. I think for a Windows based ATSC tuner, I couldn't recommend the Fusion, but instead the vBox, which has a better reputation, but no NTSC capability.

Oh yeah... I found another use for my Y2K countdown clock at work... I programmed it with the February 17th, 2009 date for shutdown of analog TV. It was end of 2006, but with electronics manufacturers dragging their feet, the FCC had to finally put their foot down.

[razorback]

When we bought our AS it came with a 15" LCD tv that rides wrapped in a heavy towel in the bottom of our closet when we are moving. When we are parked it sets on the credenza at the end of the dinette on a DVD player. We stuck the DVD player to the credenza with "RV boogers" so it rides there all the time. So far, lots of miles with no problems.

We wanted an LCD tv in the bedroom but I didn't want to flatten my wallet in the process. I went to Wally World and paid $248 for a 14" magnavox LCD tv. The tv runs on 12v through a 120v cord with an inline inverter. I then went to Radio Shack and bought a 12v accessory plug with an adapter (paying attention to the polarity, of course!) to fit the power input of the tv.($9) I then made two "u" shaped brackets out of 1/4" mild spring steel and attached them to the back of the tv. The brackets fit over the top of the mirror. Both the antenna connection and the 12v accessory plug-in are right next to the mirror. The tv is removed while we're on the road and rides wrapped in a heavy towel in a drawer under the bed. The total cost on the new tv and all hookups was around$270. Works like a charm with what seems to be minimal draw on the batteries when we're not hooked up to 120v.

[overlander63]

We bought a 15" Sylvania flat panel LCD, and at the same time, we bought a Daewoo DVD player. The player is 2.5" tall, and was $29. If you want one unit, I saw a 15" flat panel tv with a built-in DVD player, for about $100 more than the TV and stand-alone DVD player.

[Westfalia]

Originally Posted by Pick

Most television stations are also transmitting a digital signal as well, on another channel. Channel 5 here in Gainesville, Florida, is transmitting digital and HD on channel 36 for example. I just purchased an HD DirecTV receiver, that also had a terrestrial DTV/HDTV tuner in it. It has RCA Vid/audio jacks, digital video and S-Video, which may go into some computer LCD monitors, as well as those with a analog inputs. Terrestrial HD/DTV rocks! I get much better reception on the digital channels. This may be a real boon to those camping in the boondocks looking for local television channels.

I realize that this may go WAY over the heads of some here, so please disregard this question if you don't know what I'm talking about.

On the subject of DTV/HDTV, most LCD units under 26" or so don't usually include a QAM/8VSB (HDTV cable/over the air) terrestrial tuner that is built-in to unit. This is important because all standard broadcast TV (NTSC) will be turned off in a few years in favor of the newer HDTV (ATSC). I hate to pour money into a nice TV that you won't be able to receive any broadcast TV in a few years.


Has anyone come across a relatively small or inexpensive tuner that might fit well in a trailer?
First thought is to use the laptop (Mac Powerbook) and get an EyeTV 500 and output 720p to to the TV by DVI input. The problem with this solution is the obvious extra collection of hardware to do this task. It is also a Mac only solution. I'm sure someone makes a similar system for the PC.

Another option was outlined by Pick above and could be the use of a DirectTV/Dish HD tuner that supports OTA (over the air) reception of HDTV and pushes it (along with the satellite signal ) to the TV by DVI or component. The downside of this is primarily how easily it is for the satellite tuner to recognize new signals in a new campsite location and display that channels available. Also, such receivers are a little expensive right now. I have never heard of any reports of these tuners being used in a mobile fashion.

Lastly is the use of a car based DIN sized system. I haven't seen any these car based tuners that can receive HDTV. Most being sold new are still only setup to receive standard NTSC TV. Preferably, I'd like to go this route and get a car based systems (Clarion, Alpine, Pioneer) for use on 12V and space saving properties and for integration of all of the components. Car based systems have really come a long ways.

Any ideas? I figure that someone out there might figure out what I just said!

Ultimately, that true answer might lie and just waiting the the transition to DTV to happen. After that time, the converter tuner boxes might just be affordable for many.

[Westfalia]

Moe answered some of my questions while I was composing my post, but I'll leave them in.

Moe, I have yet to use the Intel MacMini (I have the G4 version), but I was contemplating its use to feed my 50" Sony LCD RPTV in the house, and to stream DVD's that I have ripped on my XP box I have in the home theater, also using TheaterTek. However, I decided to get an OPPO 971H upscaling DVD player with DVI output, and the results are fantastic and it only cost $200. The OPPO is very thin but still standard player size, but could work well for larger Airstreams with a bit more storage space. The Mini would be a GREAT computer for the trailer if I traveled more. The DVD output is certainly not videophile quality, but should be adequate for playback at 720p resolutions (usually 1280x720 in computer resolutions) that most LCD TVs use. It does, however fall short at 1080p resolutions.

[PWRSTRK]

We have two Toshibas, a 17" in the salon and a 15" in the bedroom. Each of them has a built-in DVD player. I installed them on wall-mount articulating arms.

For safety of travel, my quilter-mother created quilted bags that fit snugly over the TVs. Each has loops along the top which attach onto hooks I mounted on the wall. The quilt-covers nicely match our bed quilt, which is sort of cool.

Pictures to follow.


Tom, and Frank

[fr8tshaker]

For any 12v electronics, you may want to consider looking in truck stops Like TA, Pilot and Petro. Petro and TA tend to have the largest selections and competitve prices. I can't believe what Best Buy wantes for a 150 watt inverter for example. It was over twice what the truck stop charges. Commercial trucks have 12v systems ( I have a 3000 watt inverter in mine), so the banging around will not hurt the TV. Just have it secured well.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by fr8tshaker

Commercial trucks have 12v systems ( I have a 3000 watt inverter in mine), so the banging around will not hurt the TV. Just have it secured well.

Do you have anything to play movies when you can't get a TV signal? DVD? Or VCR? And have you had any problems with that part of the setup? Moving parts seem not to fare as well as non-moving parts when they get subjected to a lot of vibration.

[wacnstac]

I'm looking for a cheap 12v TV/DVD combo for mine. Screen need not be large.

[billwhelan]

I bought a 27" Sharp LCD TV and installed it with a swivel wall mount. Since then I've traveled from Seattle to New Mexico and it works fine. It never crossed my mind that vibrations would harm the electronics, and so far it hasn't. I have a 22' International AS and attached the TV bracket to the closet. I used two 5/16" bolts and used a small lengths of shelf support standard on the inside of the closet. The TV is very secure after months of use and travel. While traveling I put a pillow over the TV and secure it with nylon webbing to the curtain track and this has worked very well with no problems so far.

Hope this helps.

Bill

[Happycampers]

We have a sharp 15" we have used in our trailer since 2005, Annie got it for her retirement gift. It has worked great. We just turn it upside down on the bed when traveling.

[Jim Foster]

I installed a 20" Vizio from Costco, hung with a swinging wall bracket from the botton of a shelf which extends across the front of our 17' Caravel. We made a sling from 1" webbing material to help support the TV when on the road. The TV is 120 volt. It has both digital and analog tuners allowing us to watch High Definition over the air broadcast where available, as well as analog over the air and Dish.

I installed a 350 watt pure sign wave inverter from Fry's. We use Dish network and have a GoVideo DVD/VHS player/recorder. I installed a separate circuit just for the TV, DVD and Dish, thereby avoiding a complicated electrical system. I use two Trojan golf cart batteries. We can boondock for three to four days, watching TV news in the morning and movies or TV for two or three hours in the evening before needing to re-charge.

We love the setup.