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Advice Centre
The following information is given as a general guide to help customers with little or no knowledge of a particular topic. It is NOT a definitive guide and no warranty is given to the accuracy of the contents. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date, some topic’s such as Satellite TV are subject to change from time to time and therefore the contents of this guide may not be current.
If you are aware of any changes that you feel would benefit others, we would be pleased to hear from you so that we may include your information & experiences in both our web site and the advice given verbally in order to effectively help each other.
Topics Covered:
LCD TV s |
Terrestrial TV Reception |
Satellite TV Reception |
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LCD TV’s
There are many differences between different LCD TV’s and the component’s they are made from. The LCD screens vary in quality and in particular the viewable angle can make a significant difference to your enjoyment especially when two or more people are sat on opposite sides of your leisure vehicle. Generally the smaller and less expensive screens are more directional, quality larger screens like that used in the Avtex W152D 7-in-1 successor to the W151D 6-in-1 & the W152T 4-in-1 successor to the W151T 3-in-1, can be viewed from almost any sideways angle. A nature of the technology is that all LCD TV’s will offer a poor picture when viewed from below. This should be taken into account if you have a high TV cupboard or wish to look up at the TV whilst lying down in bed. If this is the case, a model with VESA mounting points will enable you to fit the TV underneath a top cupboard or shelf on a Flip Down bracket. The power of the back light can also make a significant difference to your viewing enjoyment. Generally, most tube type TV’s and the smaller / less expensive LCD TV’s are around 250 cd/m². The higher quality sets like those in the Avtex range tend to be in the region of 350-450 cd/m². This enables them to be viewed in day light when positioned on the chest of drawers at the front of a caravan or if like us you wish to dual purpose the set and use it at home as well as in your ‘van. We use our 15" in a conservatory without any window blinds.
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Most LCD TV’s operate on low voltage DC. Some are unusual voltages and many are 12v. A set designed to operate on a stabilised/regulated 12v power supply does not automatically make it suitable for use in a caravan, motorhome or boat. The 12v system in such circumstances is a nominal 12v. When fully charged a 12v battery is in fact 12.7v and whilst it is being charged, for example from a solar panel, it can be 14.4v. Whilst operating from a battery, especially if your caravan / motorhome suffer from voltage drop in the wiring loom, the voltage at the socket might drop to 10.5v. With electricity the voltage and current are inter related, as the voltage falls the current rises. This essentially means that if you purchase an LCD TV designed for domestic purposes it can be damaged if you simply substitute the regulated power supply with a lead connected to your vehicle low voltage system. The LCD TV’s that 12v TV Ltd sells are suitable for use on both mains electricity and from a leisure vehicle’s 12v battery system.
A final point to consider when comparing different sets, especially those less expensive ones in the high street is that LCD TV’s designed and built for domestic purposes may not withstand the vibration and harshness that your caravan / motorhome TV will be subjected to. We at 12v TV Ltd specialise in the leisure market and as such are confident that our TV’s are suitable for use in a caravan or motorhome. We therefore extend the standard manufacturers warranty to a total of three years on our 12v LCD TV’s (subject to terms & conditions)[excludes combination TV/DVD players]
Terrestrial TV Reception
Most second hand caravans and motorhomes are factory/dealer fitted with a round omni-directional aerial. Due to TV signals being directional all makes of this type of aerial will struggle to give good reception in many areas. Ideally you should use a high gain directional aerial and mount it as high as possible. Most new ‘vans are being fitted with aerials on through the roof poles, whilst these are usually better than the conventional “flying saucer” type they are limited to how far you can raise them above the roof (especially the short pole option). If you carry a separate pole and mount it on your jockey wheel or ladder, the extra height afforded can make a significant difference to the reception. Many locations, especially those close to major conurbations or in flat areas can now receive Digital “Freeview” transmissions. If however you wish to take your holiday in hilly or out of the way places you may not be able to receive Digital terrestrial programmes at present. This is due to Digital programming being an all or nothing situation. When it is available you will have no snow or ghosting but when the signal is weak you will have nothing at all. We have found from experience that at present, typically six or seven in ten caravan sites can receive an acceptable Digital signal.
The Government have announced that the switch over programme for TV transmitters will be a phased one between 2008 & 2012. When a region goes totally Digital, the signal strength should be increased. Due to the fact that most of us tour around, until 2012 there will be many occasions when you are camping in an area that does not have a satisfactory Digital signal and therefore you may need to fall back on the older Analogue system. It is therefore advisable to have both options covered until 2013. This is why we still have some portable TV sets with Analogue only tuners. These TV’s do have sockets for connecting an external source such as a Digital Set Top Box. With time this will change and we will be introducing more models with twin tuning systems throughout the year and progressively reducing the number of analogue only sets. Due to the inconsistency of Digital terrestrial reception we recommend you treat “Freeview” as a bonus when available and for those who require more consistency and reliability to use a satellite system for your TV reception.
Please note: If you wish to use Satellite as your source, the satellite receiver becomes the tuning circuit and the TV will effectively become a monitor therefore negating the need for a built-in DVB-T (Freeview) tuner.
Due to the signal coming down from the sky at an angle a satellite dish can pick up a signal just about anywhere. There are many free programmes available via satellite including the usual terrestrial Broadcasters without the need for a subscription. For those who wish to persevere with terrestrial transmissions the
PU-4
aerial is both directional and high gain (9-12dB). We have never found a better aerial and consequently use one on both our caravan and our display stand when we attend caravan and motorhome exhibitions. Details of the
PU-4
are available in our product pages and further information is available on Satellite TV in this advice section.
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Satellite TV Reception
Satellite TV is becoming very popular for use in caravans, motohomes and boats and is particularly suited to this market due to reception being available in places where conventional terrestrial programming is of a poor quality or not available at all. This is due to the signal coming down from the sky at an angle allowing it to pass over the top of obstructions that would block “line of sight” to a terrestrial transmitter. There is no longer a British Analogue Satellite TV service so we are assured of Digital quality. The availability of extra programming like 24hr News Channels is also a major benefit as we tend to come and go from our caravan, motorhome or boat at varying times. There are many audio/radio channels available via Satellite as well as the TV programmes. We generally find that if you’re in a poor TV reception area it is also a poor Radio reception area.
One of the biggest misconceptions about Satellite TV is that you have to subscribe. Broadly speaking programmes fall into three groups. There are some programmes that are Free to watch and not encrypted, some programmes are Free but encrypted and then if you desire you can purchase a subscription to many other channels. The BBC transmit all eight of their TV channels and their Radio programmes “Free to Air” or “In the Clear”, this means that by purchasing the equipment you can receive all their services without a viewing card or any payment (other than your normal TV licence). ITV was previously encrypted requiring a viewing card to decode their channels. They are now broadcasting ITV 1/2/3 "In the Clear" enabling these channels to be watched without a viewing card. Channel Four and Five are Free to watch but use Sky TVs encryption system necessitating a viewing card to decode them in a Sky type Digibox. Sky broadcast their Sky News channel un-encrypted but their other programmes are subject to a subscription.
If you wish to “just” watch the Free BBC & ITV channels NO viewing card & NO monthly subscription are required. If however you wish to watch Channel Four and Five, Sky will issue what is called a “Freesat” card for a one off payment of £20 plus VAT to decode Channels 4 & 5 plus many other channels. Please note that it is illegal to use a Sky viewing card outside the UK. 12v TV Ltd, its Directors, employees and representatives do not recommend or condone any illegal activity.
Reception Areas
There are many Satellite systems and most European TV programmes are broadcast from three systems located within 16º of each other. Each system has more than one Satellite co-positioned at a specific geo-stationery location. UK programmes are broadcast from the Astra 2 series of Satellites at 28.2º East of South. There are three Satellites at this position. The most recent is 2D from which the BBC & ITV channels are transmitted. This Satellite was made specifically for the UK market and as such it has a tightly focussed footprint (coverage area) focussed on the UK & Eire. The other programmes come from Astra’s 2A & 2B which in turn are split into North & South Beams. As their names imply the North Beam covers Central & Northern Europe, the South Beam Central & Southern Europe. Each TV channel is only transmitted from one satellite. All three Satellite footprints overlap the UK allowing reception of all channels with a relatively modest sized Satellite Dish. If you wish to travel to the popular Southern European destinations some channels are available with a small dish and others like the BBC will require a large dish of 1.2m or larger. We find one of the key words with caravanning is compromise, satellite TV is no exception. For the UK & Central Europe all channels can be received with dish of 50/60cm the largest size most of us would consider practical to carry. For those wintering in one location in areas like Southern Spain there are large dishes available for hire. For specific channel footprint information see www.astra.lu
The Advice Centre is currently being up dated. If you can not find the answer you require please phone:
0161-281-6513
Copyright:
The text, graphics, and the selection and design thereof, and all source code, software (including applets) and all other material on this Web site are copyright of 12v TV Limited. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Top
LCD TV s |
Terrestrial TV Reception |
Satellite TV Reception
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Featured Products
(Click on image to see details)
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| Avtex |
| W153D All-in-One WHITE |
| 15" TV/DVD Freeview & Analogue |
| Including Carriage |
| £ 369 |
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| Avtex |
| W153D All-in-One BLACK |
| 15" TV/DVD Freeview & Analogue |
| Including Carriage |
| £ 369 |
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| SeViC |
| VC15DVB-T |
| 15" TV/DVD Freeview & Analogue |
| Including Carriage |
| £ 299 |
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| LeisureSat |
| SDP54 |
| 54cm Satellite Dish Pack |
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| £ 65 |
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| SLx |
| In-line satellite finder |
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| £ 19 |
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