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Swee Pea
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 405
City/Region: Bath
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Swee Pea
Photos: Swee Pea
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 Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:20 am Post subject: TV Antenna |
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I am about to take the plunge and buy a 15" LCD/dvd AC/DC TV. It will be used in the Truck Camper and on the boat when docked (for TV) or on the water with DVD. I am looking at the Audiovox AC/DC Flat Screen TV DVD FPE1507DV
http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=17600&langId=-1
Does anyone have any experience with or can recommend a portable TV antenna (amplified) that can be used inside the camper or the boat that will at least catch the local channels (news and sports) that doesn't take up much space? I am not much interested in outdoor mounting an antenna. I realize that when in a camp ground or dock with cable, this is a non-issue. I'm not looking to break the bank, just something to use in a pinch to get some local TV.
John
Swee Pea |
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Captains Cat
Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 7313
City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:42 am Post subject: |
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John, will you be using it on the boat where you used to have it in Kinsale? That's a long way from anything local.
Charlie
_________________
CHARLIE and PENNY CBRAT #100
Captain's Cat II 2005 22 Cruiser
Thataway (2006 TC255 - Sold Aug 2013)
Captain's Cat (2006 TC255 - Sold January 2012)
Captain's Kitten (1995 CD 16 Angler- Sold June 2010)
Captain's Choice (1994 CD 22 Cruiser- Sold Jun 2007)
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay
K4KBA |
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Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Posts: 2020
City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:14 am Post subject: Re: TV Antenna |
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| Swee Pea wrote: | I am about to take the plunge and buy a 15" LCD/dvd AC/DC TV.
John
Swee Pea |
You might also want to re-think the aspect ratio, John. It's OK for a couple of years yet but with the acceptance (mandate) of HD broadcasting, wide screen formats like 16x9 are going to be the default rather than the exception.
Don
_________________
Mary & Don Anderson
Brat #483
"Jenny B" 2005 C-22/F75 sold, Oct. 2008
"C-Brat" 1993 C-16 angler/50 hp |
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Swee Pea
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 405
City/Region: Bath
State or Province: NC
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Swee Pea
Photos: Swee Pea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Charlie:
I will use on the boat when traveling or docked in Kinsale. Some antenna specs state they have a 30-50 mile radius of signal. If I get TV reception, fine. If not, thats fine too. I just want an antenna that is portable enough to use on both the camper and the boat. I expect to get the better reception when camping. I can get an antenna that mounts permanently to the camper, but if a portable one will do as well, then I can have it for dual purposes.
Don:
"Learn me" about aspect ratio. The Audiovox is 4:3. How does this project into the future of TV? I am selecting a 15" TV due to the size of the camper/room to fit. The TV will be used only for the camper and boat.
Thanks in advance for your opinions and info
John
Swee Pea |
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Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Posts: 2020
City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Swee Pea wrote: |
Don:
"Learn me" about aspect ratio. The Audiovox is 4:3. How does this project into the future of TV? I am selecting a 15" TV due to the size of the camper/room to fit. The TV will be used only for the camper and boat.
John
Swee Pea |
Hmm, I'm not a TV junkie like Charlie is but I'll try. It's the ratio of width and height. If you don't know about aspect ratio, there's a good chance that all your TV's around the house are 4:3. 16:9 is much wider in comparison. Ever watch a movie or a show on TV that has black bars at the top and bottom? That's a 16:9 show squeezed in to a 4:3 box. To see what's on the right or left, they have to squeeze the height of the picture to keep it in proportion. Sometimes Spaghetti Westerns are broadcast proper height but you don't get to see the action at the far left and right of the screen. Funny as he** when you see two noses "facing off"....
We are also shopping for a new HDTV for our RV and aspect ratio also played into my decision to get a Sony FW140E/H laptop which has a 16:9 aspect ratio screen. I use a "Slingbox" to watch the news at home and select TIVO recorded shows while on the road, and we use the laptop to watch DVD movies in 1080p HD quality.
I'll probably get a 20" HDTV for the RV because it's about as tall as the 15" you're looking at. It's wider, but wide is easier than tall in small spaces. I'll not worry about getting a 12VDC TV because inverters and converters are small and readily available. My present TV has a 12 volt to 16 volt converter that replaced the TV's "wall wart" and does a fine job. It was "liberated" from an old laptop power converter kit I had.
P.S. I love LCD flat panel TV's. They take up FAR less room than those gut busting CRT based TV's of the past.
Don |
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journey on
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 3598
City/Region: Valley Centre
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: journey on
Photos: Journey On
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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What Don is pointing out is that the 16:9 aspect ration will replace the 4:3 ratio for over-the-air broadcasts this coming Feb (supposedly.) At that time all TV will be broadcast in the digital ATSC format, nationwide. While the Audiovox TV will receive those broadcasts, it’ll display them in the 16:9 ratio and you’ll have a 12” TV.
Don is taking the only practical route for an on board TV: a PC. They will receive TV signals with an interface card, which cost $100. Also a PC will be able to play DVDs, do navigation and connect to the Internet. It’s the only way to go for a small boat.
Of course Don must be rich, because he’s buying a high end computer (~$1000) while a H-P or Toshiba would be as good but cheaper. A 15” Toshibe is $450 (Fry’s ad.)
If anybody knows of a good marine antenna, let me know. I have a Shakespeare Sea Watch, made by Wingard and it doesn’t do much.
Boris |
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Holoholo
Joined: 21 Aug 2007
Posts: 58
City/Region: Lincoln
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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I have a slightly used Casio flat screen TV and Shakespeare exterior dome antennae and an indoor booster with all the cabling and connections that I took out of my '03CD last fall. I have not tested it, but was told by the previous seller that it was in excellent condition. I am a fisherman only. If you are interested, I can get you more details and will make it worthwhile for you. I will also guaranty that everything is working as stated.
Vern |
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C-Hawk
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 2150
City/Region: Carpinteria / Channel Islands
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Hawk
Photos: C-Hawk
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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I also use my lap-top for tv and dvd on the boat.
I have a 17" N Series Lifebook by Fujitsu.
I am able to plug in the antenna and watch the local news, or slip in a dvd for movie time or pirate a signal for wifi surfing.
You need to be carefull with some of the antenna boosters- they can drain power when used.
_________________
Roger
2002- CD22- "Fishtales" returned to factory 2008
2008- CD22- "C-Hawk" Sold
KJ6VVB
A Brat I am, At sea I be
God is Great, Beer is Good.... and People are Crazy |
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Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Posts: 2020
City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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| journey on wrote: |
Of course Don must be rich, because he’s buying a high end computer (~$1000) while a H-P or Toshiba would be as good but cheaper. A 15” Toshibe is $450 (Fry’s ad.)
If anybody knows of a good marine antenna, let me know. I have a Shakespeare Sea Watch, made by Wingard and it doesn’t do much.
Boris |
Boris, I keep telling you I'll go on the Marine base at Camp Pendelton and get you a marine antenna - I don't understand your reluctance. Or you could open your wallet for a change and buy a Digital antenna.
For me, $999 is high end, you're right. But it comes out of the box with 1080p capability, wireless b/g/n capability, and a 16" x 9" screen, plus bluetooth. I didn't opt for Blue Ray but you can get that option for about $200 more. The down side is it comes with Vista. One bluetooth mouse later I'm as happy as Da Nag in a Coffee Hause or Mike with a date.
Don |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 21356
City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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You might look at the Philips MANT940 High Def TV antenna. It is small, and directional--so you will probably need to know approximately where the stations are (this is available on the internet). I have seen several boaters with this antenna, and they rave about it. l have not yet tried it. Some folks are claiming that they pickup stations 50 miles away (I wonder about that, since it should be line of sight--but if the transmitter antenna is up high-it might be true.
_________________
Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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SEA3PO
Joined: 02 Nov 2003
Posts: 1835
City/Region: Chester
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SEA3PO
Photos: SEA3PO
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| Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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I talked to a trucker that had dish satellite in his truck....is that an option with our boats ? This winter I want to go to Florida and it sure would be nice to have TV reception.
Joel
SEA3PO 22' cruiser |
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ferret30
Joined: 22 Mar 2011
Posts: 569
City/Region: Seattle
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lily Pad
Photos: Lily Pad
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| Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:04 pm Post subject: |
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| SEA3PO wrote: | I talked to a trucker that had dish satellite in his truck....is that an option with our boats ? This winter I want to go to Florida and it sure would be nice to have TV reception.
Joel
SEA3PO 22' cruiser |
I think it's practical for trucks and RVs since they can be oriented when the vehicle is parked, but I think a boat will move too much, which is why satellite domes on boats are huge $$$.
You might be able to get away with a tripod mounted dish that you put on the dock! |
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Dreamer
Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 1766
City/Region: Really Sunny SaddleBrooke
State or Province: AZ
Photos: Dreamer
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| Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I imagine Jim B will chine in here soon and tell us about his View Cube 
_________________
Roger
Once a C-Brat, always a C-Brat
Dreamer- Sold 25 Feb. 2013 |
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JamesTXSD
Joined: 01 Mar 2005
Posts: 7481
City/Region: from island boy to desert dweller
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Wild Blue" (sold 9/14)
Photos: Wild Blue
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| Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Dreamer wrote: | | I imagine Jim B will chine in here soon and tell us about his View Cube |
Well, since you asked...
The VuQube works great on the dock (as long as you have a clear shot at the southern sky). It will not work on a C-Dory at anchor because there is no way for the dish to "follow" the satellites as the boat swings.
There are systems made that "follow" the satellites, but I have only used those on motorhomes, not the boat. I think I have seen photos of some installs that Marc at Wefings had done for customers for 25s, so that would be the next logical step.
Things may be different from our last winter in the Keys (6 years ago), but we were not able to get anything on antenna while on the boat (we did not have the VuQube at the time)... without satellite, you aren't going to get anything off antenna in that area.
Until this year, I would have poo-pooed the idea of spending $$ to get satellite TV on the boat... but our summer in the marina at Friday Harbor was definitely more "homelike" due to having satellite TV on the boat. While there will be more to it to have satellite TV while cruising, I understand the desire.
Good luck with this project, Joel.
Best wishes,
Jim
_________________
Jim & Joan
CD-25 "Wild Blue" (sold August 2014)
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/
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