Television

[yamaha]

Hi all - is anyone fed up with not being able to get a decent tv picture at a lot of locations? We took a small lcd television on holiday with us last year - and nowhere could we get a decent enough reception to make watching worthwhile. Help is at hand - I've just bought a brilliant portable satellite suitcase system from Maplins, that runs off 12v, and is quite easy to set up. Here's the link - have a look -

www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=48737&doy=18m8

The only "problem" I've encountered so far is that a lot of small televisions don't have a Scart socket - and the satellite outputs through a Scart, so I needed to buy a 12v video modulator - a small 12v box that accepts a Scart input, and outputs the signal through a standard co-ax plug, and into the television - about £20 extra.

If all of this sound double-Dutch to you I would be happy to advise anyone - although I'm no TV Engineer, I am a Radio Ham !!
It really isn't diffiicult, and the picture is fantastic - mine is running in the back garden at the moment, and I'm over the moon with it. ;D

[Derek]

Hi Mike

Welcome to the forum from another Duo Hylo owner, like the bars on yours, did you fit them?

I am tempted now, I saw the portable sat system on the Maplins web site before it was reduced. Are you going to install the kit into the van (apart from the dish) or set it up each time?

I am a Radio Ham as well, perhaps we should ask Pauline to set up a section for Amateur Radio

Derek

[yamaha]

Hi Derek

Thanks very much for the welcome! Firstly, the bars - no, they were on when I bought it - I was told they were about £800 - don't know where they were bought, though. If you look on the Welcome page there is a bit of my van's history.

As for the satellite - I got from eBay a roof-mounted "clamshell" LCD television that I'll mount under the Luton area, between the two front seats - it opens downwards, and swivels 180 deg to enable a rear-mounted parking camera to be viewed - if I can work out how to feed the cable from the rear bumper to the tv !!

The satellite I haven't yet decided whether to mount the receiver permanently, or set it up whenever we stop for a few nights - depends on the best use of the limited room available!!

Although I've been licensed for about 20 years, I'm no longer active - seems my other hobbies of motorcycles and microlights take up a lot of my limited spare time now that I'm retired!!!!

I see you have an Avon Quicktent - I've just bought one on eBay, and am waiting for it to arrive.
Also have a larger extension, but it does take up a lot of room in the van - and we don't tend to travel light, so the smaller one should prove useful !!

Seems like we should meet up !!!

Regards,

Mike ( G0CNA ) and Sue

[viv]

I have beenlooking for a set for some time and I have just bought a TV set from Maplins it is a 10.4 inch digital and analogue 12 volt and mains slimline for £199.99

I have set it up but needed some technical help as I could not get an analogue picture just a 'no signal' message. the assistant told me that the set would not be suitalble as it had both an analogue and digital tuner and the analogue would not be effective as the digital tuner would be more effective. he suggested I get my money back and this does not seem to be a problem with the shop.
However before I do this I am wonderitng if a better aerial may be the answer as all the other slim type sets I have seen are more expensive and do not have digital. can anyone advise. I am not at all technical so please talk in simple terms.

[yamaha]

Hi Viv
I've just had a look on the Maplin site, but i can't see a 10.4in lcd television listed - do you have the catalogue number?

You don't say where you are trying to set it up - I would recommend connecting your house aerial to it - let it search for the channels in your area, then, when all is working on analogue and digital, try it on a camping aerial - I would doubt that you would have much joy just using an inbuilt whip aerial - they are only for a strong signal area.

Mike

[viv]

A25FN 10.4 Inch DVB-T TV
Hello Mike, this is what it says on the receipt. I have not taken it back yet as it is so nice if only it would work. It has a digital aerial which plugs in at the side and it works fine on digital. It has an extendable analogue ariel that plugs in to the same hole as the digital arial. My concern is that if I keep it I may never get it to work. there is nothing wrong with the set and I am going to have one more go at speaking to their technical help desk on Monday. I just tried it in my kitchen where I have an other old portable set that works brillintly on its analogue attached extendable arial.
I have to admit that I could not follow the instructions as they are not clear the helpdesk said they were difficult as they are written in Chinglish! ie from chinese to English translation that does use funny words in translation.
bye for now and thanks for advice.
Viv

[yamaha]

Hi Viv

Thanks for that - I've found it on the Maplin site - dunno why it didn't show up originally!!
From what I read, it's an ordinary lcd-type set, with the added advantage of digital reception - the best of both worlds! If you returned it for a refund, and bought an analogue only set, you wouldn't be in any better a position - I think with any television used in a motorhome/caravan, unless you are camped on a hill within sight of the transmitter, you are going to need an external aerial of some sort. I know it's extra gear to accomodate, but the aerial need not be a full-size chimney-type one - there are smaller ones available especially for camping, which you could either mount on a pole, or maybe a suction-type mount, perhaps on the roof.

I will have a "surf" and see what I can come up with - I am going to need one as well, for the times I can't be bothered to get the satellite system rigged up!! If I find anything of interest, I'll let you know. So, my advice would be - hang on to that telly !!!

Mike

[Pauline]

I think we should take a good look at this.

We once bought one of those DVB?? things that is supposed to make your laptop into a TV receiver (Graham will be able to give more technical details!)

It was useless and wouldn't even work properly in the house on the main aerial, but at least we were able to send it back to Amazon for a full refund.

[Derek]

I use one of these pre-amps with an old 6 inch analogue colour portable (with a CRT, a proper telly )

I am very lazy and always try to get a picture without an outside aerial. I put the TV up on the luton area and move the preamp round for the best picture. This may work in the Hylo as it has canvas sides on the rising roof.

The preamp came from a camping shop but I have seen them on market stalls.

I am trying to resist the temptation to buy a flat screen as I don't think it will work as well as the existing set which has manual tuning (with a knob and pointer). I will probably have to read the instructions on a new one every time I use it.

I think there is a little black and white TV in Woolies for @ £10 which I could manage without instructions.

Otherwise it will be satellite system with a flatscreen or laptop, even better, manage without

Derek

[viv]

thanks for all the help and I would apprecialt some more with the aerial if you find anything out. On my searching for info I contacted a company (I think it was Leisurepower) where the chap was really helpful but I think he may have been trying to get me to buy one of his sets. He recommended a Myota analogue only. He did say that I would need an aerial and he recommended (if I can interpret my scribble) a status 530 aerial and said it would cost about 22.95 for the aerial and 19.95 for the mast but that we could fit it ourselves. As I said I would still appreciate any advice re a suitable aerial. I really like the set and will keep it a bit longer and speak to the help desk again re aerial.
I would not usually worry about TV but I do intent to spend lots of time travelling around and long term staying in a romahome I think I may go mad without a telly.!!!!

[Derek]

Hi Viv

I think this is the aerial.

It is an Image 530/18 UHF Directional TV Antenna, I found it on the Towsure site www.towsure.com/default.asp?t=413

I have seen one and I thought it was OK. I don't know which would be the best mast to fit the Outlook or how to fix it. Possibly the Uni-Bracket with the adhesive pad.

I would use it with a preamp if the signal is weak, the one I use would be OK, you unplug the little aerial and plug the outside aerial in.

If you want the technical info it is on this link, there is a bit about caravan aerials at the end.
www.aerialsandtv.com/aerials.html. It is saying that you might as well use a coat hanger if you have an omni-directional aerial

Price wise you are getting towards the cost of a sat system and the results may not be as good.

Mike may come up with a better aerial or some other info.

Derek

[yamaha]

Hi all - found this one on Davan Caravans' site at Weston super Mare

They are less than 20 miles from me, so may pop over to see just how big this one is - it's £24.95 plus carriage.

On another site :-http://www.12vtv.co.uk/pro_detail.asp?id=49
This is an unusual design - and about a fiver more. Size wise, it doesn't seem too big - I think if it could be stored close to the inside of the roof - maybe with some Velcro?- it wouldn't take up too much room.

There is, of course, another option. If we got ourselves a new, younger, more virile partner, we could do without television altogether! Probably best to find one that's a Paramedic as well! ;D

Mike

[Derek]

www.12vtv.co.uk

Thanks Mike, good link

Derek

[Pauline]

yamaha said:

There is, of course, another option. If we got ourselves a new, younger, more virile partner, we could do without television altogether! Probably best to find one that's a Paramedic as well! ;D

Mike

That reminds me of a joke:

A man was offered one wish by a good fairy. He looked at his 60 year old wife and declared "I'd like a wife 30 years younger than me".

and in one swish of the fairy's wand...........


he was 90 years old!

[wendy]

Good one, Pauline!

[Derek]

Hi All,

I took the wee beastie out for a spin to the local caravan shop today.

They had any make of caravan aerial as long as it is Vision Plus
They had both the VP 530/14 for £17-95 and the VP 530/18 for £22-95. I prefer the VP 530/14 (I think that is the one Mike found). They are both about the same size.

The Uni-Mast was £19-95 and included a Uni-Bracket with a sticky backed plate to fix on the van. You can buy a second Uni-Bracket for £9-95.

Look at the Towsure page for all the pictures and info.

I think most caravan shops will sell the same kit but at different prices it seems

I will refrain from cheeky remarks, I was very good about the Active Magic Wand ;D

Derek

PS Have you got your Quicktent yet Mike? Wondered what you thought of it.

[yamaha]

PS Have you got your Quicktent yet Mike? Wondered what you thought of it.

No, not yet. I paid by cheque, and it has to clear - hopefully this week, though. Sold by a Joan Lipscombe, of Skipton - anyone know her?
I will put a link to this group next time I contact her.

Mike

[Pauline]

yamaha said:

PS Have you got your Quicktent yet Mike? Wondered what you thought of it.
No, not yet. I paid by cheque, and it has to clear - hopefully this week, though. Sold by a Joan Lipscombe, of Skipton - anyone know her?
I will put a link to this group next time I contact her.

Mike

No don't think I've come across anyone in Skipton with a Romahome. Thanks in advance for passing on the link!

[Pauline]

derek said:

I took the wee beastie out for a spin to the local caravan shop today.

Just to clarify - are you referring to the van, Meg or the missus? ;D

[viv]

any more updates on the best aerial PLEASE. I have to be told then I do not have to make a decision this is good particularly as I have no idea what is going to be any good. I suppose it has to be something that can be set up at each stop rather than permanently fixed and also one that can fit easily in the van for travelling.
any help gratefully received
Viv

[Derek]

Hi Viv

I think both the VP 530/14 and the VP 530/18 are OK, pick the one you like the look of. You may find the VP 530/18 easier to use. Your choice will be the best one for you. The Uni-Mast includes a Uni-Bracket with a sticky backed plate to fix on the van. I recommend that you get the kit from a caravan dealer and insist that they help you fix the plate and show you how to set up the mast.

I am sorry that I can't be more specific but I don't know the best place to fix a mast on an Outlook as I have a Hylo.

Happy camping, school hols will be over soon and the sites will be less crowded.

Derek

[Derek]

I saw a Uni-Mast at a local car boot sale and picked it up for a couple of quid. It is the A frame one, the clamp is missing but I didn't need it anyway. I wouldn't have recognised the box if I had not been looking into aerials so thanks Viv, you have done me a favour.

The box had the details of the manufacturer with the web site which is
www.gradeuk.co.uk
They can supply direct or you can look up your local supplier on
www.gradeuk.co.uk/dealers/search.asp

Derek

[lunnie]

Hi, I have a small 5" LCD tv purchased from Sainsbury's 2004 for £90, and use a folding aerial, and I usually manage quite well, and both store piggyback in the pelmets plus the tv has a remote control.

I too have the DVB freeview for my laptop and the reception in Cornwall was far better than my sons reception on his tv so as usual he borrowed lappy!

[Graham]

lunnie said:

I too have the DVB freeview for my laptop and the reception in Cornwall was far better than my sons reception on his tv so as usual he borrowed lappy!

We bought a DVB freeview stick from Amazon but we couldn't get a picture most of the time and when we did we would lose it and then have to go through the whole process of retuning again. I think it was because our lap top hasn't got a high speed USB port. Its a pity because it seemed ideal as the laptop takes up a lot less room than a telly. Anyway we sent it back to Amazon and got our money back, no problem.

At the moment we use a 5 inch portable black and white which cost us about £15 and we manage with that, we don't tend to watch a lot of TV when we are camping in fact we don't watch at all in summer but it comes in handy for dark winter nights and I couldn't go away without my fix of Match of the day

Graham

[viv]

Hi Lunnie
Where did you find your foldig aerial - I am pleased with my little flat screeen telly but I still have to get my aerial?
Viv

[lunnie]

Hi Viv,
Towsure about £24 sometimes I have to place it through the roof light, but usually place it in the Luton and it works fine.

[lunnie]

Hi Viv,
Vision Plus Compact VHF/UHF TV Aerial
Vision Plus Compact VHF/UHF TV Aerial
A720
Our Price £25.95
View Details

this is a newer version of mine, you can have uk only or worldwide.

[viv]

I am on the case thanks Lunnie.

Viv

[martinw]

Hello everyone

I am very new here, if I can help I will.

This is the best pic I can find of my aerial set up.

It is the on you are talking about, got it in a kit with all poles etc.and it work just fine, got another pole to add to it to give me a bit more hight, and it picks up digital in most places.
I made up my own rig so that I don't have to pack it away every time I move.

Martin

[Derek]

Hi Martin

That's the way to do it

Do you drive a spike in as well or just jamb the pole into the ground?

Derek