For those who love TV

[flapbreaker]

I almost posted this in the nerd shack but wasn't sure. Anyway, I noticed that DirecTv is coming out with a portable TV/Satelite reciever that some brat's might enjoy. I wonder how expensive it will be?

http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4110014&CMP=EMC-MQ-OM&ATT=120-08-070228final

Enjoy DIRECTV® service wherever you go with the DIRECTV® Sat-Go ("Satellite-To-Go"). The DIRECTV Sat-Go incorporates a TV, DIRECTV Receiver and DIRECTV Antenna into one conveniently portable design so that you can get 100% digital-quality television when camping, tailgating, RVing, sitting by the dock or even watching at home. (Provided the user is within range of the DIRECTV signal.) The built-in antenna ensures a clear picture no matter where you go, and the suitcase-like carrying case makes it easy to get there.
Features:
17" LCD screen lets you see all the action
Standard AC/DC power adapters extend your viewing time
100% digital quality picture and sound - just like watching at home
Rechargeable battery lets you watch for hours.

[Sea Wolf]

flapbreaker-

It's a good thing DIRECTV isn't on the list with Cape Cruiser and Arima or your post above would be linked outa here like a chain letter!

P.S.- Bill must have dropped the Cape Cruiser automatic link!

Joe.

[ccflyer]

This was introduced at the LV CES in January.
See the thread "DirectTV on Board".
It was suppose to be available for around $1,500 plus the monthly subscription.
You can sign up at the DirectTV site if you have an interest in purchasing one when it comes out - I think I heard June or there abouts.

Phil

[Jeff Brigner]

I doubt it will track on the water with any movement. That means you must stay on shore. A dish on shore with a TV on the boat is probably a cheeper and better option and then of course only when at dock or shore close enough to run cable.

[Dora~Jean]

Speaking of TV's (on another thread), I wonder what the new LCD's draw at 12VDC based on whether they go through a conversion or not. I don't have a decent antenna but wouldn't mind catching the weather report/satellite images while at the islands. I do like to watch a DVD once in awhile, seems that's about the only 'quiet time' I find lately.

Brent/Dixie on Discovery (or others) that hooked your TV direct to 12VDC. I measured the output of the AC adapter supplied with the TV and duplicated it with a DC-DC converter (16.5VDC). My 17" wide-screen LCD draws 4.0 amps with the converter, what do yours draw that went direct?

Thought it'd be worth the comparison, probably the TVs are similar, this would indicate roughly the efficiency of the conversion combined with the voltage desired by the TV for best efficiency.

[Jeff Brigner]

My 15" lcd with DVD player shows use of 5 amps. My inverter directions claim that most 17" screens draw 3.5 amps. Be careful of damaging something running direct to a lighter outlet. Rick and Donna "Foggy Dew" and I were just talking about this earlier tonight because I toasted my 400 watt inverter. Donna sent me this interesting site. You may like to look at it.



http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/inverter_faq.html#appliancecautionsm

[thataway]

I have a two 15" LCD TV's--the one in the RV I have used for about 3 years and it draws just about 3 amps. The one for the boat, seems to draw slightly more--about 3.5 amps. These are direct 12 volt power supplies, off the batteries or a converter/battery chager. I have not run either of them with the engine running (where the voltage would be 14.4 volts).

[TyBoo]

Wow. Those amp numbers surprise me. I have a cheapo DVD/CD player that draws 65ma and I don't recall what the 15" LCD TV draws but remember it was less than the DVD and 45ma sounds familiar for it. I run both of those plus two remote video cameras for the Garmin plus a cell phone charger all off a 20 year old 250 watt inverter. The inverter is on all the time the cabin switch is on and doesn't draw more than an amp or two when all the above is running unless I also run the electric knife sharpener (which still keeps the AC load under 250 watts).

Speaking of the old inverter - work bought it for me when I had a laptop in my toolbox and it cost $199. You can buy bigger ones at Costco now for $19.99. Ain't that something!

We always seem to be able to get two or three UHF channels wherever we are, and get five channels at our home port. The antenna is a three dollar wire loop from Radio Shack.

[Sneaks]

A little update. I ran into the "trucker" version of a 12 volt LCD TV and it led me to the combo HD LCD/DVD TV for Marine use. The Skyworth 19" SLC-1963AM that has both analog and digital tuner and is 1080I/720P compatible. The marine version is about $50 more than the trucker version but I'm sure lookin at it closely for both RV and Jenny B usage. It's 16 X9 and my old eyes think 720p is great in that size anyway. I think West Marine sells it too

Don

[Adeline]

TV lovers should take a look at Slingbox . I installed the app on my laptop and control my Comcast digital converter/dvr( at home in my bedroom) over the internet. I simply use my Sprint Touch ppc as a wireless modem. I don't even have to physically connect it with a usb cable. Bluetooth works just fine.
As long as you can get a cell signal you'll have the same tv/video options(including recorded programs) as you do at home. Just be sure you've got an unlimited data plan.

[Doryman]

[Sneaks]

[JamesTXSD]

Regarding the Slingbox: Verizon and Sprint both have 5GB limits on their current data plans (yes, the "unlimited"). On our Verizon contract, it says if we exceed the 5GB limit, they may slow our download speed. If we download an audio book or two, it might be in the 500mg range, a full length DVD might be 4GB... wouldn't take a lot of those to exceed the monthly unlimited limit. How much bandwidth is the Slingbox using?

In fringe areas, with our Verizon wireless card, we will frequently not be able to watch streaming video (not a big deal for us, but something I've noticed). Is there some sort of compression with the Slingbox to avoid this?

[Texas Steve]

I teather my laptop to my Blackberry through Verizon and have been reasonably happy with the set up. You really need to be in a better signal area in order for it to work, but I understand there is an upgrade ($45 per month instead of the $15 I'm currently paying) that downloads much faster and should produce a better image. I use mine a great deal of the time and have never been charged extra for the time.

I did recently upgrade my wireless server at home to a 2.4 gig unit which has significantly improved my connectivity and transmission.

The beautiful part about Slingbox is that it costs so little compared to any other option I've seen. A couple hundred bucks and $15 per month seems like a great deal to me.

Steve

[Doryman]