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Hello all
I am new to motorhomes and wondering what are my best options for tv in the van.
1. 14" combi set. Good option and relatively but bulky
2. LCD screen and seperate DVD - less bulky but more expensive
3. Laptop gives me dvd and computer but is it also possible with minor add ons that the laptop can become a tv reciever. Most expensive option but least bulky and much more versatility. Could the lap also be set up to be a navigation system?
all comments & advice welcome
tps
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Combi Unit, If you are intending to use an Invertor, some combi's dont like Quasi/modified sine wave invertors (some but not all may not work on invertor)
Seperate Flat screen and DVD, is the option I have used, works well on Invertor.
I have yet to see a Laptop TV, with decent TV picture, but the Flyingscot who also posts here says that he as got this system to work very well after some tinkering with software and drivers etc.
Re sat Nav yes this can be done with Laptop, a small USB reciever (this is best mounted externnally on roof) Works with Autoroute 2005, but the best software is Infomap Navigator 4 this adds voice instructions and automatic re routing if you takea detour for fuel or a cafe stop.
I have just got back from trip to Kent and it works superbly well.
I have a laptop with DVD, TV and music, the picture quality is fine, apart from brightness it is every bit as good as any other system.
In addition I use the laptop for navagation and Email via ham radio, I would not change to anything else.
I dont think the laptop route would not be any more expensive than the other method when taking into consideration the uses I get from it, the ham radio bit aside.
Doug...
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I have still yet to see any Laptop TV giving a good TV picture (on DVD they all do) but even when set up by a PC engineer the picture was at best acceptable.
The problem here, may be perception, what one person finds acceptable another thinks is great or it could be that the PC engineer didnt set the TV/Laptop up correctly.
I would definately want to see it all set up before parting with any cash.
Strange that some should find that TV on a laptop isnt up to standard. I can only say that on my 17" TFT screen laptop the picture is better than the normal TV I used before and actually gives less strain than my normal CRT 35" home telly in that there is far less glare and so seems to give less eyestrain. The whole package is so much less bulky and more usable in the m/home. My daughter uses a 15" TFT laptop at University with external add on TV card with outstanding results, certainly no worse than a normal domestic TV if not better. Clearly everyone is different but I generally find that TFT or LCD screens are better on my eyes and can't wait until domestic size ones come down to a more affordable price.
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Location: Sitting in front of my computer in South Wales
Status: Offline
Hi…………
I have recently fitted LCD/TV and DVD plus Freeveiw, I replaced my combination TV/DVD as I found the picture to small and the position it was in, to high, look at the pictures I have attached and the cabinet used to have a pull tray for the combo TV/DVD.
If you have a similar cabinet set up to mine you might consider this, the total cost including making a unit to fit inside the cupboard, a bracket to flip and twist the LCD, and the purchase of the LCD/DVD/Freeveiw was £425.00.
The LCD/TV is mains only as is the Freeveiw but I bought a plug-in inverter and both these work fine.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I am leaning very much towards the laptop as it can give me so many additional options. What add ons are required to a normal laptop to make it ok to recieve tv signals?
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