TV while on the road

[welchygq]

Hi Swaggers,

What does everyone do for TV when on the road?  We looked at a small tv, but then had the brain wave of using a tv tuner card in the laptop.  This will save having to carry something else.

Anyone else use one of these?, which one do you use? How do you find reception?

Also - doe sanyone use an external ariel? - how do you mount it?, store it, etc?

Thanks,

Welchy

[sablesoft]

Hi,

I use my laptop with a USB stick TV receiver I got from Aldi, Works well. I have a 12V power supply for the computer.

I looked at many TV antennas.
It seams to me if you add the word "caravan" to any TV antenna the price shoots like crazy and they often do not give you any tech info on how the antenna proforms. and many need the amplifier to improve their weak signal.

I purchased this antenna $79.00 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160681442472

I am very pleased with the performance. It includes a signal finder which makes it easier to find the strongest signal direction.The antenna is of solid construction and I strap it to my Cub Escape roof rack.

It may be a bit more bulky  120Cm long, 80Cm wide and 4Cm high, but it will pull in more signal then most other "caravan" antenna's.

If works great without a amplifier I have not needed one yet, (they have a 12V amplifier for $56 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TV-ANTENNA-BOOSTER-12v-DC-Masthead-Amplifier-Power-supply-/160665594855?pt=AU_Television_Accessories&hash=item25686a6be7)

I mounted the antenna on a extending Aluminium painters pole from Bunnings (paint section) using the handle from a cheap paint roller I chopped up and bolted to the antenna. The pole has a screw thread on top to screw a paint roller om to it. The black bit at the back of the antenna is the paint roller handle.

Ray

[welchygq]

thanks for the reply and the ebay links.  was thinkign along the same lines but was hoping to make it more "compact".  Anyone use something smaller or do i need the size to get good performance?

Welchy

[sablesoft]

thanks for the reply and the ebay links.  was thinkign along the same lines but was hoping to make it more "compact".  Anyone use something smaller or do i need the size to get good performance?

Welchy

Hi Welchy,

There are lots of compact Caravan TV antennas around costing $100 up to $450 (approx) and they will proberly not proform as well as this antenna, All the smaller caravan antennas will need a signal amplifier to improve reception, many have them built in.

In general more cross bars mean better signal strength and this helps improve reception.

With digital TV if you do not have a good signal the TV picture breaks up and is unwatchable, unlike the old analog TV signal which could be a poor picture with snow etc but there still was some picture to watch.

With the antenna I have I still have the option to add a TV signal amplifier to further improve my signal strength.

HTH
Ray



 

[welchygq]

fair enough - just storing it that would be a problem.  dont know if i have anywhere to put that big a unit

Welchy

[Manjimike]

Hi Ray,
can you easily change from horizontal to vertical polarization?
like thw idea of the paint pole 

 
Mike

[Savageone]

Can you hook up an antenna to a lap top, how's that done ?

[Racer]

I use a 22.5inch Dick Smith LCD which was purchased for $199 delivered and as for the antenna, I use an Explorer C3..(Yes you are right about the 'Caravan' word...just like 'wedding' word). As you can see from the link it comes with enough cable and its own booster. It can be mounted vertical or horizontally. Although we have only used it 3 times, never had a drama with reception even when 'neighbours' have had problems in the same locations. I'm pretty sure I paid $299 with the Explorer mast....

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=125

As for mounting it, I look around at other antennas on houses, vans, cabins etc, attach it to the mast, clamp on the van and wind the roof up before plugging the cable in on the outside port. Storing it I place it all back in the box, it is very compact when all collapsed...

Sure there are cheaper less compact untidy alternatives on the market but this one is worth it....

[sablesoft]

Hi Ray,
can you easily change from horizontal to vertical polarization?
like the idea of the paint pole 

 
Mike

Hi Mike,
As shown above no, however I will be adding a second roller handle at 90 degrees to allow me to set the antenna vertical.

Edit: Picture added below to show the second handle added to allow both vertical and horizontal mounting of the antenna.
Ray 

[GOLDIE]

I purchased this one while away this year from Dic Smith. It was on sale for $30. I just mounted it on a pole at the front of the camper. Got perfect reception for the cricket while away. I will find a better mounting point on the roofrack of the camper soon.
http://dicksmith.com.au/product/L4024/caravan-va7-vhf-uhf-antenna

[sablesoft]

Can you hook up an antenna to a lap top, how's that done ?

Hi Savageone,

I have a USB TV  tuner (looks like a USB memory stick with a antenna connection on the end) comes with a software program and a remote control which makes the laptop a TV, I purchased mine from Aldi, it was a $49 special item, most computer stores will have them.

Ray

[Savageone]

Thanks Ray.

[jag001]

We use a Tivizen with our iPads... http://www.elgato.com/elgato/int/mainmenu/products/tuner/tivizen.en.html and it works brilliantly.

[Bookleaf]

jag001, that is one interesting device!!!   Sounds like a dream come true.
But to come back to the theme of this thread, how does it perform in country areas?  Does it need an external aerial?.  In fact, can one be attached?
Where did you buy it from?

[GU_Thomo]

I go camping and travelling to get away from TV!!

Cheers
Parry

[gronk]

I go camping and travelling to get away from TV!!

Cheers
Parry

As I'm usually facing the fire with a coldie in one hand, the tv would have to be on the other side of the fire....me thinks the picture would be a bit blurry   

[welchygq]

while normally i would agree with you - we are setting up for our working holiday (2 years) so the tv will be for when we are in one spot for a couple of weeks/months. Would be nice to still see the news when we are in a town for a little while.

Welchy

[WaituiRob]

Frank recently purchased a 15" HD LED etc. TV with a 12v adaptor from Aldi for $99.00 and at that price didn`t want an expensive antenna so we are using a stick ariel with a magnetic base. We just put it on the tent bow wherever it works best.

Not expecting it to work in the bush of course, couldn`t care less about having TV, it was an impulse buy and I thought men didn`t do that. 

Cheers, Robyn.