TV onboard

[PaulRainbow]

Could you give an example or model number for your LG set? I've got 4 TVs in the house and none of them have an external transformer. As a 12v TV might be useful, I looked at quite a few, all of them have a "Figure 8" ac in connector with integral power supply.

12/19v powered TVs with a remote PSU are not common at all so I have to disagree with the second part of your comment "most tv`s are dc powered with a transformer incorporated in the mains lead".

View attachment 206460

Here's a few https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Charger-Electronics-Monitor-24EN33TW/dp/B0B63PNNHF?th=1

Samsung also do some. In both cases (LG and Samsung) the bigger screens don't use the DC adaptor.

That said, no reason not to buy a domestic 240V TV and run it from a small inverter, just big enough for the TV.

We have a 43" TV onboard, running from an inverter, but we're fully electric so need the inverter anyway.

 

[Leslie frank]

Is a phone hotspot enough to watch a film in real time or do you have to download first ?

We don’t struggle. Weirdly the fire stick seems more data efficient than the smart tv

 

[wonkywinch]

For queries whether your internet is fast enough to stream TV/Netflix etc, I use an app called FAST to check download speeds. Anything better than 5Mbps is good enough for TV.

Internet Speed Test

Netflix-recommended internet speeds

 

[PaulRainbow]

For queries whether your internet is fast enough to stream TV/Netflix etc, I use an app called FAST to check download speeds. Anything better than 5Mbps is good enough for TV.

Internet Speed Test

Netflix-recommended internet speeds

Mine is a bit slower than usual this morning, 120mbps, not bad for a hotspot on my phone.

 

[davidaprice]

Is a phone hotspot enough to watch a film in real time or do you have to download first ?

My phone hotspot is plenty for watching a film in real time. In fact, my phone is 5G but my boat's hotspot (Glomex WebBoat 4G) is only 4G, so where there's 5G my phone's hotspot is faster. Both are fine for watching films.

Another advantage of a phone hotspot is that in areas of poor reception, you can hoist the phone to the top of the mast (perhaps in a bag with a power bank), and you may get much better reception. In southern Finland where we sail amongst archipelagoes of low islands, this can be the difference between no reception and perfectly adequate reception.

 

[wonkywinch]

My phone hotspot is plenty for watching a film in real time. In fact, my phone is 5G but my boat's hotspot (Glomex WebBoat 4G) is only 4G, so where there's 5G my phone's hotspot is faster. Both are fine for watching films.

Another advantage of a phone hotspot is that in areas of poor reception, you can hoist the phone to the top of the mast (perhaps in a bag with a power bank), and you may get much better reception. In southern Finland where we sail amongst archipelagoes of low islands, this can be the difference between no reception and perfectly adequate reception.

I used to do this but then it was hard to answer calls etc. I then bought a 4G hotspot and found the performance measurably better, mainly because it was designed for the purpose with larger internal antenna rather than a phone where hotspot tethering is just another one of the hundred things it's designed to do.

The portable hotspot is excellent for travelling as you can pop a local sim in it without upsetting your normal phone settings.

Huawei E5576 4G router

Amazon have the TP Link 4G for £32.99 at the moment. Looks like a great product.

TP-Link M7005 4G MiFi Router, WiFi Dongle, Portable WiFi with SIM Slot,Dual Band Mobile WiFi 6 Router,Plug and Play MIFI,Long Battery Life,Portable Hotspot,For Caravan,APP Control,Compact Design : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Now I installed a 4G router (Archer) on the boat and use a Poynting puck antenna with great results. £1 a month with Lebara for 50gB data.