12v/240v TV (ideally with DVD)

RichardTaylor

RichardTaylor

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What are the current options on the market? Would prefer to buy a TV with inbuilt DVD player and must have Freeview.

I assume there are 240v units out there which use an external transformer to 12v which may be better value than a "camping/marine TV".
 
have a 'Cello' on the boat. Whether its an actual make or just a badge i don't know but various other cheap similar makes about. 24" bought new from flea bay. Freeview, dvd and can read directly of a hard drive. Cn also record tv onto hard drive. Pictures pretty good. Freeview works great from old standard boat aerial up the mast (have a booster for when needed). Built in speakers a bit rubbish at anything but low volume (like any budget flatty). Tv has various audio output option to connect to external amp. Use digital which works great so all in all a good buy. Been on the boat about 2 years and no problems so far. Was about £200 then. They are a bit cheaper now.
 
As said it's been done to death. Find a TV with external 240-12v adapter, cut it off and wire direct to boat batteries. I'v been using one for years I bought it on Gumtree, it has freeview and DVD player, works fine right up to 14.5 volts with engine running.
 
Thanks for the quick replies - I was looking a cello so some good info there.

I know the subject has come up previously, however the damn search on here will not search TV as it is too short a string.
 
Get a TV with DVD from Argos or similar; they all have freeview. Don't worry looking for a 12v TV; get a 240 volts TV and just plug it through an cheap inverter from Maplins. The inverter will be useful fro other things too. This is what I have done and it works great.
 
RichardTaylor said:
Thanks for the quick replies - I was looking a cello so some good info there.

I know the subject has come up previously, however the damn search on here will not search TV as it is too short a string.
Click to expand...

google is much better for seaching with "site:www..."
http://bit.ly/WuGuei

I don't have TV but have a samsung SA300 monitor which runs straight of the boats batts. Invertors suck power even when doing nothing, not a very efficient way to go.
 
Just use a laptop which will play the DVDs and if in range wireless link to BBC i player etc.Add a TV USB adapter and antenna.
Thats what we use at home-no live TV-just Broadband and I player etc.
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
Get a TV with DVD from Argos or similar; they all have freeview. Don't worry looking for a 12v TV; get a 240 volts TV and just plug it through an cheap inverter from Maplins. The inverter will be useful fro other things too. This is what I have done and it works great.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but your advice is completely misguided.

Using an inverter wastes power in the inverter, as well as the telly. Plus, some of the cheaper inverters will not power some televisions because they don't produce a true sine wave, and some sets don't like it.

12V LCD (and LED) televisions are readily available. No reason whatsoever to use an inverter.
 
elton said:
Sorry, but your advice is completely misguided.

Using an inverter wastes power in the inverter, as well as the telly. Plus, some of the cheaper inverters will not power some televisions because they don't produce a true sine wave, and some sets don't like it.

12V LCD (and LED) televisions are readily available. No reason whatsoever to use an inverter.
Click to expand...

I agree. We have a Meos TV in the camper. Power consumption is surprisingly low and the picture is good.
 
nigelmercier said:
Another vote against this foolish idea.

There must be loads of TVs with an external 12V PSU, so if you have found one, do post details here.
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I have two flat screen TVs, one 12 volts bought some 4 years ago which is plugged into the 12v boat system and a new 240volts which works via a low cost inverter. In both cases the power consumption is similar and very low. TVs operating on 240v are relatively cheap and can be purchased easily from many shops for as low as £100 with excellent quality picture. In marinas, the 240v equipment have the obvious advantage. The inverter can be used to operate other electrical equipment using 240v too.

Foolish are those who do not understand the advantages and disadvantages or various options.
 
We have a Meos bought 3+ years ago. Very pleased with it. Does DVDs and handles the different types of signals, digital and analogue, from every country we have been to (all the Med + red sea). Only slight snag is that it does insist on 12+ volts - 11.9V and the screen goes black!
 
I wonder why all this forum's self-appointed judges (you know who you are!) all issued diktats against inverters - where are their equal and opposites that usually condemn the use of 12V equipment from the high street because "it won't reliably withstand the transients generated on a boat (starter motors, bilge pump etc.)".

Has anyone even investigated the power consumption of these devices (12 or 240V)? And a simple switch or plug/socket eliminates inverter consumption when it is not needed!

My solution:-
Don't sail with a TV on board - it is bliss!
Ignore posters who post one line/sentence expressing their prejudice on the matter and condemning alternative opinions.
 
Cardo said:
http://www.kogan.com/uk/

All their tv's up to around 24" run on 12v or 240v and have the option of built-in DVD.
Click to expand...

We're looking for a 12v telly at the moment - do you know if the Kogans can push a DC supply up the antenna cable to drive a mast-head amplifier? I've just downloaded the manual from their web site, but it says very little about setup.
 
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