Avtex 12V LCD TV`s

[Take5]

Hi,

Do any of you use or have any experience of the Avtex LCD TV / DVD Combo`s?

Any info greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sneds]

Aren't they the expensive ones "for marine use"? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
We have a dvd combo from Argos that works perfectly well via an inverter.
We used to have one that we chopped the transfomer thingy off and hard wired into the boat's 12 volt.

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

Don't have any personal info to help, but did you see the nice setup that Tom has on LittleShip when you all met up?
When I last saw him at Glasson Dock he gave us a good demo of it and if I had been in the market at that moment I would certainly have bought one, why not send him a PM and ask for details.

Mal

 

[LittleShip]

T5 next time you are on board I will give you a demo................

Daylight viewable
It is a TV
Shows Charts from my computer and is also the screen if needed
Plays DVDs
Has USB port to play music from ect
Ipod connection
A card port for Pictures
Plays CDs and connects via radio signal to the ships entertainment system to give surround sound.
It's the black box hanging from the ceiling in the cabin.

£200.00 from ebay

But then you'll be wanting something upmarket in that speed contraption you have! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tom

 

[Take5]

Hello Tom,

Would that be the 15" Vason one as I am very tempted by one of these at £199 ?

If so do ya mind if give ya a bell?

Cheers

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

I said I was impressed ! And along comes the man himself to give you chapter and verse, still beat him to it, JUST! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mal

 

[jfm]

Sony and Toshiba are the two "big" makes that run on 12v so you can chuck away the transformer and connect to the boat's batteries. Other makes have different voltages afaik

 

[Take5]

I am fancying one of the one's with USB, SD card, Media Players and the likes built in. I don't think the big manufacturers put these features on them. If I understand them correctly I can stick an 8gig USB drive in or the likes with 10 or so DIVX films on. Should keep the kids entertained. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

THANKS to ALL the above posters for the info. Mucho appreciated.

 

[LittleShip]

If so do ya mind if give ya a bell?


PM sent.

Tom

 

[rubberduck]

We have two of the Avtex models on RD. both excellent but a bit pricey. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jfm]

Yup, all noted. Was just mentioning the Toshiba/Sony 12v thing for those who want conventional set ups.

FWIW I fitted normal TVs to the cabins and then car DVD players (which can be got with USB ports and ipod plug ins, on the front face) simply because imho the combo units are too thick (often getting on for 5 inches) and can look a bit ugly sticking out from the bulkhead, depending on your mounting location of course. If you install normal TVs and car units, the TV part is much thinner. Whether that matters to you (aesthetically) depends on where you're locating it of course. But it's a factor to take into account

 

[Take5]

Hi,

Thanks again for the reply JFM & Rubberduck.

Our boat is only small so space is at a premium. Just had a good chat with Littleship regarding his setup and that looks a good possibility (thanks for the info Tom)


Thanks again to you ALL for the info. I got plenty to be looking into for now.

MUCH APPRECIATED.

 

[No Regrets]

I had an Avtex in Shamby, it did everything, from MP3's, CD's, Radio, Digital TV etc etc, but we never used most of it.

Nice though...get the largest you can... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Take5]

Hi No_Regrets,

Think it is narrowed down to 3 (Avtex, Vason or one of the all in one drop down combo's).

Cheers

 

[GSL]

I have just fitted two Akura TFT flat screens with built in DVD and Freeview. 15 inch about 85 pounds and 19 inch 170 pounds.

They run 12 volts DC or 100 - 220 volts AC. Very low current draw.

Very happy with all aspects of their performance, they are thin and also very light overall weight, very important if hanging on a bracket in a heavy sea.

Have fitted a Glomex aerial and getting all the channels in Southampton waters.

GL

 

[Take5]

Thanks for the info GSL.

I was / am concerned about getting freeview and would probably use it more to play films to keep the kids entertained. Does it lose the freeview signal much?

 

[enterprise]

Hi Take5,

Demo'd the full range of Avtex stuff at the Boat caravan & Leisure show back in February.

The stands (yes 2) were packed with punters, all of the 10inch freeview models were sold & most of their 15 inch stuff were being sold like hot cakes.

Got to say that the picture is impressive, which reported them to be 2nd favorite in a head to head test with some very expensive models (cant remember the winner but it was very expensive).

They do make them in batches for different markets & often rebadge them, we bought one badged APPO, but it is an identical set & we bought it discounted from the same dealer selling the avtex logo'd one alongside it.

The warranty lasts 3 years, even for boat use & they come complete with 12v & 240v leads etc so there's no inverter needed, there probably designed for 12v as they are marketed towards Boats, caravans & motorhomes etc.

Got to say it looks very stylish mounted & it has an impresive 7 function capability.

We are very pleased with ours, I know it seams a bit pricey but the picture quality & robust construction sold it to us, after looking at quite a few others it did stand out as being a great piece of kit.

 

[No Regrets]

I had the 10" and regretted it as soon as it was fitted!

Now if I was to get another TV, I would get the Tesco TV/DVD combo for £139 and save a lot of ££'s. It may require an inverter though, but worked perfectly in our caravan!

 

[Take5]

Cheers Enterprise for that great review. Me and SWMBO were at the Boat, Caravan & Outdoor show also. But neither of us rememebr seeing the 2 stands. Whereabout's were they ?

 

[enterprise]

Both were virtualy next to each other, in with the motorhomes, just up the steps from the boat hall, right hand side, a rep from avtex was working on a retailers stand doing the demo's.

(tried working one against the other on price, only the guy on stand 2 was in contact with stand 1 via phone before they realised I'd just been to stand 1, turned out embarassing, /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

So we didn't buy from the NEC, I was sure I could get a better deal via the internet so I searched for the best price, at the time it was £249 but havent looked since.

You could get a 15inch for the same price at the time but as you can see from my photo it needed to fit the space available so 15inch was too big, thats the reason we bought 10inch.

There's not many quality LCD TV's at this size, tried a couple which were almost useless (freeview breakup) but the picture on the avtex is crystal clear & doesn't seem to have this problem (not that we use it much to find out).

I think John Lewis sell them so I would take a demo if you can before you make up your mind.