Brock Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 After 23 years of caravanning and motorhoming, my missus has decided she wants a TV in the van. For the next three years or so, we expect our motorhoming to continue being short terms breaks of a week or so in the UK, then changing to longer breaks on the Continent. All breaks will be during school holidays. Beyond that, we expect to have the opportunity to go on longer term touring of the continent when my missus gives up work. We do not foresee ourselves going to sunny climes unless our health changes. We prefer the Benelux, Germany and Austria. We expect to keep our motorhome for at least 7 years, probably 10 or more. I think the missus will want to watch the TV without hookup although that will be rare. We are modest consumers of power with our battery capable of supporting us for at least 4 days during the summer months. I presume a satellite system is the best and that we will follow the herd to the Avtex shop for a TV screen. Money isn't an issue but value for money/fit for purpose definitely is. I'd be interested in what you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Well if you have lasted 23 years without, I would watch or standbye ( God! I am so funny!) what happens with the current satallite changes that are happening at the moment, ( foot prints are changing) as it may transpire hat you will need a 6 foot dish to get UK TV..... My recommendation is to forgetaboutit and buy a pair of kindle paperwhites...and keep your brains operational, instead of watching mind numbing junk...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 We have a tv in the van but tend not to watch it very often when away. Be wary of satellite systems until the footprints of the changes are established as getting it wrong could leave an expensive white elephant on the roof and as far as I have seen nobody is sure of what will happen and when and those that are are not saying much. There are a couple of English speaking channels on Spanish terrestrial tv but they really are not up to much - but then neither is UK tv. As far as I know there are no English speaking channels on French or German terrestrial tv but as they are all now digital a freeview box should be able to tune in to as many as are in range when you stop - which might not be any that are useful or interesting. We take a selection of DVDs most of which we swap with others or buy very cheap at car boot sales then pass them on when watched. I understand that you can download tv onto a memory stick at home and watch that in the van when away but I have not a clue how it's done? We too take a Kindle and an ipad loaded with books from t'internet - mostly freebies unless there is a pay title that particularly grabs us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 no body really knows how these changes are going to pan out..Just been talking to a motorhoming pal who lives in Portugal, and they have already lost all the "5" channels and possibly expecting to lose the lot at his villa with large dish. So I would tread water...or learn French/German/Spanish/Portuguese/Italian :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryd999 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 As far as I am aware the "5" channels (5, 5 Star etc) are the only ones that have moved to the new satellite and therefore should be a test of the new footprint (which will probably change again). Last year we got all the normal TV channels as far east as Innsbruck and south as the Italian Lakes (garda being the cut off point so about 10 degrees east). This year we lost channel 5 on an evening around Annecy or 6.6 degrees. Currently in the Ardeche a bit further south and its working but iffy on a night time. All the others are fine. So it looks like it will be vastly reduced. Therefore I would go for as big a dish as possible. Ours is a Camos 40cm dome. Even when we were in Slovenia last year and lost all the ITV, BBC1 etc there are still plenty of English channels to watch on the south beam and Sky news seems to work anywhere but they are a bit naff. Thre are only so many episodes of the Waltons one can watch before you have nervous breakdown. :-D TV Wise. You dont need to spend a fortune on an Avtex. We got an Akura LED 16" from Makro that uses just 1.2 amps or 14 watts. You will not find anything less power hungry and it was just £90. Look for a TV that has a power consumption of less than 20 watts. Some of the cheapies from Tesco etc are 40w. This will make a big difference. The dish once its tuned in should use no power. This year however we had a 100w solar panel fitted and a very clever MPPT Controller. What a difference. We dont need hookup at all now in summer. I can watch tv all day long and the panel provide more than enough power. I am also running a laptop all day long as well some days for work and the battery is always fully charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 well you can always stick all the kit on evilbay..changes come in 15th September http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/newsat.htm expat news: so if hey are losing it with monster dishes whats the hope for a roof mounted dish.... http://www.a516digital.com/2012/11/uktv-blackout-fears-for-expats.html http://www.a516digital.com/2012/11/uktv-blackout-fears-for-expats.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Barryd999 - 2013-09-01 3:27 PM Last year we got all the normal TV channels as far east as Innsbruck and south as the Italian Lakes (garda being the cut off point so about 10 degrees east). This year we lost channel 5 on an evening around Annecy or 6.6 degrees. Currently in the Ardeche a bit further south and its working but iffy on a night time. All the others are fine. So it looks like it will be vastly reduced. Therefore I would go for as big a dish as possible. Ours is a Camos 40cm dome. Even when we were in Slovenia last year and lost all the ITV, BBC1 etc there are still plenty of English channels to watch on the south beam and Sky news seems to work anywhere but they are a bit naff. Thre are only so many episodes of the Waltons one can watch before you have nervous breakdown. :-D All the pay and pay HD channels (including ITV2/3/4, E4, More4 and from tomorrow Film 4) are all available over most of Europe with a small roof mounted dish. C5 HD is subscription free, but card needed and is also available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryd999 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 derek500 - 2013-09-01 7:27 PM Barryd999 - 2013-09-01 3:27 PM Last year we got all the normal TV channels as far east as Innsbruck and south as the Italian Lakes (garda being the cut off point so about 10 degrees east). This year we lost channel 5 on an evening around Annecy or 6.6 degrees. Currently in the Ardeche a bit further south and its working but iffy on a night time. All the others are fine. So it looks like it will be vastly reduced. Therefore I would go for as big a dish as possible. Ours is a Camos 40cm dome. Even when we were in Slovenia last year and lost all the ITV, BBC1 etc there are still plenty of English channels to watch on the south beam and Sky news seems to work anywhere but they are a bit naff. Thre are only so many episodes of the Waltons one can watch before you have nervous breakdown. :-D All the pay and pay HD channels (including ITV2/3/4, E4, More4 and from tomorrow Film 4) are all available over most of Europe with a small roof mounted dish. C5 HD is subscription free, but card needed and is also available. Thanks but could you explain more please? As I understand it the footprint is going to be much less (as it is now for C5). This is news to me that there is another way of getting the normal channels all over europe with a small dish. What equipment and subscription do we need exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Map of new foot print on links posted above......it's pretty small into Europe Just wondering if my free sat dish at home will need retuning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Barryd999 - 2013-09-01 10:03 PM Thanks but could you explain more please? As I understand it the footprint is going to be much less (as it is now for C5). This is news to me that there is another way of getting the normal channels all over europe with a small dish. What equipment and subscription do we need exactly? The new satellite is basically for FTA transmissions, not for pay services. The pay channels will almost certainly stay on wider beams and still be available across Europe. To get the HD versions of ITV2/3/4, E4, More4, Film4 a Sky+HD box is needed along with the Entertainment Extra + subscription for £32 a month (there is no separate HD sub any more. http://www.sky.com/products/tv-packs/entertainment-extra-plus/ If you're a new customer you'll get the box and installation without paying any extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryd999 Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 derek500 - 2013-09-02 9:26 AM Barryd999 - 2013-09-01 10:03 PM Thanks but could you explain more please? As I understand it the footprint is going to be much less (as it is now for C5). This is news to me that there is another way of getting the normal channels all over europe with a small dish. What equipment and subscription do we need exactly? The new satellite is basically for FTA transmissions, not for pay services. The pay channels will almost certainly stay on wider beams and still be available across Europe. To get the HD versions of ITV2/3/4, E4, More4, Film4 a Sky+HD box is needed along with the Entertainment Extra + subscription for £32 a month (there is no separate HD sub any more. http://www.sky.com/products/tv-packs/entertainment-extra-plus/ If you're a new customer you'll get the box and installation without paying any extra. Thanks. Didnt know that. However that list mentioned doesnt include the likes of bbc1, itv 1 etc. I never watch the ones you mention apart from Film 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Barryd999 - 2013-09-02 6:53 PM Thanks. Didnt know that. However that list mentioned doesnt include the likes of bbc1, itv 1 etc. I never watch the ones you mention apart from Film 4. True. But in ITV and C4's case many of the programmes get repeats on the likes of ITV2/3/4, E4 and More4. I know a lot of people watch soaps and want to watch them when on long breaks abroad. Coronation St, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Neighbours, Home and Away are all on the HD channels available across Europe. Even X-Factor gets a same day repeat on ITV 2!! You'll also get all the UKTV HD channels like Gold, Dave, Alibi and Watch which are full of BBC repeats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 But you need an HD receiver to get them, don't you? We have Sky HD which we take with us in the van and can pick up most of the HD channel versions long after the SD ONES (BBC, ITV etc) have disappeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 bolero boy - 2013-09-03 10:44 AM But you need an HD receiver to get them, don't you? We have Sky HD which we take with us in the van and can pick up most of the HD channel versions long after the SD ONES (BBC, ITV etc) have disappeared. Yes, but as I said it's only the pay HD channels that are available on the large footpints (along with C5 HD which is 'free to view'). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeti Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 We have a 3D,HD full colour radio! and we also download radio podcasts to our ipods. If we take the tv it is usually to watch DVDs box sets or films. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarus Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 dunno why anyone would have a tv except to watch dvds 99.99% of tv is utter crap nowadays if i can find anything worth watching i just get downloads off the tv websites and watch them on my ipad, iphone or laptop simples innit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 lazarus - 2013-09-03 10:37 PM dunno why anyone would have a tv except to watch dvds 99.99% of tv is utter crap nowadays if i can find anything worth watching i just get downloads off the tv websites and watch them on my ipad, iphone or laptop simples innit No it isnt, innit?That's obviously ok for movies etc, which don't have to be watched in real time to enjoy them. We also have a large library of movies and can load up plenty from sky movies before we go away.........BUT.....I like live events too, sport , like golf, Grand Prix , football, cricket, athletics, can't be uploaded before you leave. Nor can current running drama series. We don't watch a lot of tv but are very selective and with a satellite dish and sky+ we can be just that. I agree that 99% of non pay tv is crap, we forgot the sky box on our las trip and had to rely on free view with no premium channels or time shifting.......hmmm, waste of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 TV mainly a waste of time and simply brain deadening,.. better things to do on holiday! plus most sky content American imports, the best available elsewhere. Not into sport so pointless and hate Murdoch with a vengence being a Londoner with a long memory! And a leopard don't change it's spots, ask Millie Dowlers family.... Happy to catch up when I return from holidays on the few program's we consider worth recording, but I do miss keeping up with news and politics. But with Internet or 3G I can listen to bbc radio and LBC or whatever I fancy....shame that UK radio hardly available abroad these days, when you can listen to every other worldwide language station going! With delays in the forthcoming satellite changes I would hang fire till the mist clears.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Not long to wait now. The delayed Astra 2E launch is now to be on 16th September. It will initially go on test at around 46 degrees before taking up service at 28 degrees in a couple of months. At the moment the similarly spec'ed Astra 2F has most of the "5" channels plus some ITV regions and the "HD" versions of BBC 1 Wales and Scotland. and some "4" stuff. With an Oyster 85cm and auto skew those channels are difficult in southern France and here in south and east Germany. With anything less powerful they will be impossible. The new 2F will take up some of the slack caused by the ageing Astra 2A and B satellites which are being retired. Those two satellites had the "southern transponders" on them which were useful when travelling in Spain. That isn't the end of the story as Astra 2G will be launched in the 1st quarter 2014 and then there will be very few channels available without massive dishes anywhere south of the middle of France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Frankkia - 2013-09-04 9:51 PM The new 2F will take up some of the slack caused by the ageing Astra 2A and B satellites which are being retired. Those two satellites had the "southern transponders" on them which were useful when travelling in Spain. Astra 2E and 2F have both UK and Pan European beams. I would be very surprised if any of the pay TV channels including the HD versions of the PSB multichannels (ITV2/3/4, E4, More4, Film4) went on the UK beam. Sky have so many 'unofficial' subscribers outside the UK, it wouldn't be worth losing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 on site in spain last year a static has a dish that must of measured 3-4 meters .....had to laugh as it looked ridiculous, but I bet he is having the last laugh now :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John 47 Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 Hi We have an 80 cm satellite dish on our motorhome, which has, up to now, enabled us to listen to Radio 4 and watch all the major TV channels as far south as central Spain. Beyond that, we have received only the radio (which is mainly what we use it for) and a few television news channels. As the footprints change, this will alter but nobody is quite sure how. However, have you thought about watching television through your laptop? When in Almeria (southern Spain) last winter, we signed up to "filmon" (free) and "ex-pat-tv" (£5 per month) and were able to tune into all the standard channels. You do need a good internet signal, of course, but if you watch very little television then it might be worth considering. You can also get BBC radio reception without signing up to an intermediary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wills Wagon Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 For advice talk to Robert Jackson, TSC, 12 Denby Lane, Grange Moor, Wakefield. Phone 0800 107 1112 or mobile 07801 843332. Very helpful and no obligation to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 Brock - 2013-09-01 10:05 AM After 23 years of caravanning and motorhoming, my missus has decided she wants a TV in the van. I think the missus will want to watch the TV without hookup although that will be rare. We are modest consumers of power with our battery capable of supporting us for at least 4 days during the summer months. Money isn't an issue but value for money/fit for purpose definitely is. I'd be interested in what you think. As 'money isn't an issue' and you want to use without hookup, then your best bet is any set from the Avtex range. Unlike other televisions they are multi-standard so will work in Europe from an aerial (avtex one) and receive foreign DTV signals. But more importantly, the power consumption on 12v is extremely low. Avtex sets are purpose built for Motorhomes, Caravans etc which is possibly the reason they are not cheap. I have a 10" one fitted in my van which cost almost as much as my 40" flat screen in the house! http://www.avtex.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 BG, I'm sure you are correct about the low power usage of a specialist TV like Avtex. However, having just watched the England football match in our pals van, on their Avtex, I wouldn't give it houseroom. We were watching on Freeview signal, whereas we have HD satellite system, and you had a job to tell one player from the next. You can pay hundreds for a TV set, but if the source signal is poor you will get a poor signal. Our TV set in the van is a 22" Tesco special, cost £130+, but, via an HDMI cable, gives the sort of detail on HD that many vanners could not contemplate. It's all about the source. Yes, get an Avtex, or similar, for its low consumption, but get a model that uses Freeview HD or Freesat HD if you are not a Sky subscriber. We don't watch a great deal of TV but what we do watch are quality program's with a quality display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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