TV Antenna

S

Swee Pea

New member
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/stor ... &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
 
Swee Pea":1j0fom2j said:
I am about to take the plunge and buy a 15" LCD/dvd AC/DC TV.
John
Swee Pea
Click to expand...

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
 
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
 
Swee Pea":2eqzgh9x said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
journey on":1llw8ubd said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
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.
 
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
 
SEA3PO":r8vu067x said:
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
Click to expand...

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!
 
Dreamer":2nyk41vu said:
I imagine Jim B will chine in here soon and tell us about his View Cube :wink:
Click to expand...

Well, since you asked... :wink:

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
 
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