Cheaper TV System

[Don Landis]

What's the cheapest way to mount a HD 1080 19-24" TV system in my RV that permits the kids to watch videos from my MacBook Pro or some DVD system?

I saw some keep power inverters that could go straight from the battery to the system, but I don't know how much wattage or voltage is necessary (clueless on electrical stuff). Also, is it better to have an inverter and 110 volt devices or can you do it all on 12 volt devices without an inverter?

don

[AWCHIEF]

My Bluray and lap top easily plug into the back of my television. All three can be powered by 12 volt without the use of an inverter.

[Don Landis]

How big of an inverter to you have to run a blueray, TV, and laptop?

[TG Twinkie]

The label on each device will indicate the wattage. I would think a 400 watt unit would be more than sufficient. Some devices don't like modified sine wave inverters. Pure sine wave units are more expensive.


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[ericpeltier]

If possible, it's always better to run these without an inverter. Inverting 12v DC up to 120v AC just to convert it back down to 12v DC is a roundabout method, to say the least. I'm guessing it's accompanied with 25% losses, too.

There are certainly TVs and DVD players that run off 12v. Look on amazon. You can probably get a cord for your laptop that will allow it to plug into a cigarette lighter, which is also 12v DC.

http://www.amazon.com/Axess-19-Inch-...ords=TV+for+RV

[Don Landis]

So it is better to remain in 12 volt hardware instead of using an inverter so you don't lose so much energy in the inversion process? Are there 12 volt HD televisions to keep resolution up? Also, has anyone played around with internal wifi and/or Apple television connected to one of these systems so you can create a mini wifi network in your RV?

[Ahab]

Yes it is better and yes, all kinds of HD TV's that run on 12v DC.

[kscherzi]

For just occasionally watching movies I think it's much simpler for the OP to just get an inverter and power a regular TV and DVD player off that. When I was considering the same issue I found 12 volt TV'S to be more costly and from non standard brands. I ended up with a 24" Samsung from Costco. Excellent picture for the price. The battery drain for single 2 hour movie is hardly noticable.

[Lumatic]

There are also flat screen TV/DVD combos