tv questions

neilnruth · Guru

tv questions

KFT · Guru

Hi loulybelle, welcome to the forum.

If your existing TV has a digital tuner you should get the free to air channels ok if you are in a coverage area.

If you plan on staying where there is no coverage you will need what is called a "VAST" system. these consist of a satellite dish and a mounting tripod, a satellite decoder, some cables and a sat finder to aid in aiming the dish at the correct satellite.

There are a few companies around aus that sell these kits and the two reputable ones I can think of are

www.satplus.com.au in Qld and Vic and www.accessantennas.com.au in WA

both of these companies have excellent after sales support. DO NOT deal with any of the 4x4RV or Itechworld types. they have a very bad reputation.

hope that helps. please feel free to ask if you have any further questions

frank

EDIT: If you plan on touring the centre and west parts of our country I suggest you get an 85cm dish as a minimum. They work better in rain and are easier to aim. A smaller dish will most likely not pick up enough signal when in the areas mentioned.

A digital satfinder is also a must (SF3239 comes to mind) so you know you are getting the correct satellite.

-- Edited by KFT on Wednesday 25th of September 2013 08:24:30 PM

loulybelle · Member

hi all.

just wanted some infomation on running tv's while free camping . I have an LCD HD tv and want to know if i need a set top box to get reception. We are going to get a sattalite dish (portable) as well. As you can see I am not ver good at this caravan on road thing yet , but i will get there/

thanks for all your help

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi Loulybelle,

I have just been on the Satplus site a few minutes ago.

I went to their old shop at Caboolture airport last week unaware they had moved to new premises. Should have checked first.

I have bought a new LED TV which runs off 240 V via a transformer which drops it to 12V so was looking at getting the new 12V Satellite Vast decoder box. Then when I am off 240V I can still access the VAST system.

The new box is the same price as the one I got three years ago at $279 with more features/ability to record to a hard drive being one.

Looks like if the cost is not more than you want to spend VAST is the way to go. TV anywhere in OZ.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I agree with KFT on all counts.

Yuglamron, satplus are great to deal with but don't forget the new recorder units also need an external hard drive to make them work, also you will need a twin LNB, don't get the dish on a stand, get a tripod.

Now with your transformer is it a PureSineWave inverter? because that is what you may need to run a digital tv on 12v.

PeterInSa · Guru

Have the Vast Box from satplus as of April this year with the recording function, it works Record/Playback OK with a 8Gb USB memory Chip, to me you do not need the hard drive. And the vast box also works on 12v along with the 19" LED/Lcd TV.

in transit · Senior Member

Back to the free-to-air option and your TV...
If your TV is a digital HiDef model then you definitely do not need a set top box.
The other point about your TV is that some of the smaller screen sizes have an external transformer, so that the power socket is actually 12V. If the manual does not say it is suitable for 12V use, then there is the possibility of damage, particularly if the motor is started or charging is commenced while TV is connected to battery and turned on.

Regarding reception: If you enjoy free camping, you will find that some of the best camping spots have the worst TV reception. A good antenna will help but generally a good antenna is a big antenna which won't travel too well on the roof and is hard to store inside the RV, Nice shady camps with plenty of trees can also be a problem especially in wet weather.

A good supply of DVDs, or a satellite dish are probably the answer if you really need TV.

Sitting around a campfire watching the sun set while enjoying a drink with some fellow campers is our preferred option.

loulybelle · Member

thank you to you all for the info about the tv and the heads up on itech group.