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9 Volt TV from Radio Shack

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Initially Posted - 11/13/2008 : 08:25:12

OK, so my wife HAS to watch football and as we cruised last year using a laptop and a TV Tuner, our power consumption was horrible. SO, while wandering through the Radio Shack a while back, I discovered this 7 inch unit that runs off of 9 volt http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2855063

We use it in conjunction with our Radio Shack "Marine" antenna http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2253765 also 9 volt, and we log in to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx to figure out a compass heading to point it from the mast. Bingo! Football, Oprah, News, Stupid Shows... 2.75 boat units - BUT, you should see how giddy the wife gets when we are 100 plus miles from anywhere and watching Brett Favre do something. Christmas is coming! Get your wife the TV like I did!

Sten

DPO Zephyr - '82 C25, FK, SR
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Wrightsville Beach - going offshore to ST. Augustine! No more DITCH!

Edited by - redviking on 11/13/2008 08:32:17

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 10:19:31

Thanks for the recommendation Sten. It carries a lot of weight because I know you've tested it yourself. TV reception on my boat has often been marginal, and I've been looking for a good solution. Since I live aboard all summer, a workable TV is useful.

I did a little search of the internet and found that the same TV that is marketed by Radio Shack under the name of "Accurian" is also marketed by Best Buy under the name of "Dynex," and the on-line Best Buy price is currently shown as $139. ($60. less than at Radio Shack) See the following hyperlink. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8870046& type=product& id=1210377520598& ref=06& loc=01& ci_src=14110944& ci_sku=8870046

I suspect the Radio Shack antenna that you recommend is an important key to why it works so well for you. I have heard other sailors who use that same Radio Shack antenna and praised it highly. My question is, where do you mount it? Do you have it permanently mounted somewhere, or do you raise it wth a halliard when you want to use it, or do you just set it on deck somewhere?

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 10:55:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 OK, so my wife HAS to watch football...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">All I can say is, "Where do you get one of those?"

Edited by - on

Prospector
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Canada
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 10:59:20

I am assuming that you guys area aware of the Analog TV shutoff that is coming up. I know that some stations will be switching to VHF frequency and you might still be able to get them with a tuner, but will the rest of this equipment still work after the shutoff?

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Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 11:21:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 I am assuming that you guys area aware of the Analog TV shutoff that is coming up. I know that some stations will be switching to VHF frequency and you might still be able to get them with a tuner, but will the rest of this equipment still work after the shutoff?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The specs say that both the Dynex and the Accurian TVs have both analog and digital tuners. Some owners have reported that the analog tuner doesn't work so well, but after all the stations have converted to digital next February, it won't matter.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 16:56:25

Typical! Someone finds a cute product like this just after we ordered a 15" Marine TV/DVD 12/110v from Target. Nearly $400, a few dollar more than the 7" unit we purchased a few years ago. It should arrive in a few days. Now we have to figure out where to mount it in the cabin.

We'll see what the power consumption is when it arrives

Paul

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 18:01:35

Nice. How do you power the 9V items? Do you have converters that take your 12V down to 9V??

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Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 19:19:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Nice. How do you power the 9V items? Do you have converters that take your 12V down to 9V??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I checked with Radio Shack this afternoon, and they have a converter that plugs into a 12v outlet and steps it down to 9v for about $10.

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 23:29:22

Analog, and now digital television reception relies upon one thing: a good antenna.

For years, we've seen the std rabbit ears for channels 2-13 and the bowtie for UHF, 14-69. When it was all analog, this was usually good enough for spots within about 40 miles of the transmitter (grade A contour). Beyond that, in the grade B contour, the picture got a little snowy but the sound was usually ok, and so you had to add tin foil to the aerial, or stand in just the right spot with your finger on the antenna. Wasn't pretty, but you could watch it.

Now that we are in the age of digital TV, things are a little more critical for reception. Philips, among others, sells a set of amplified rabbit ears with a VEE shaped UHF antenna (that works really well for analog by the way) and pretty well for digital in a grade B area. Both the rabbit ears and the VEE are direction-sensitive, so if you point it one way, you'll get a good signal and if you point it another, you get NOTHING. So, if your boat is swinging on the scope of the anchor rode, the picture will come in and out, guaranteed.

Recently, RCA, Philips and other have come up with an omni-directional antenna, otherwise known as a "Smart Antenna" design which has active components in it to detect and select the strongest signal and deliver it to your tv. This antenna makes pointing unnecessary.

There is also another reception issue for digital TVs that was only an annoyance for analog TVs in the past: ghosting.

This is when you see the main signal on the screen, and lightly, in the background, you see another image somewhat offset to the left or right. No problem for analog, BIG problem for digital.

This is usually caused by signals bouncing off tall buildings, cliff faces or other large nearby objects. This is called multi-path reflection. For digital it literally confuses the receiver so it can't find and synchronize to the "right" data signal being transmitted.

Generally, if you are in the grade A zone, and your antenna is pointed or you have an omni, the primary cause of poor reception is multi-path.

Moral of the story: get a good amplified omni-directional antenna for the boat, and make sure your TV has both analog and digital TV reception. Once Feb 2009 comes around if you have an analog-only set, get a digital converter for the analog set.

You can get two Govt-issued coupons for $40 off the price of the converter, which is usually ~$55 to $65, so your cost is $15-$25. The antennas cost between $25-$60, however there are no coupons for these. To get a coupon or for more info on the DTV conversion, go to www.DTVanswers.com

Check out the antenna section that takes you to Antenna Web, at www.antennaweb.org/
Based on your address and zip code, it will tell you what channels you can receive on your DTV receiver.

More info than you ever wanted to know . . . .

Edited by - on

redviking
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1771 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2008 : 07:08:17

Quote: "All I can say is, "Where do you get one of those?"

It does have a down side. I have to make pigs in a blanket and wear a cute apron when she and her "peeps" are watching football... And since she is leading in her Fantasy league, I have to hear from all of the guys (losers) how lucky I am.

I don't mind football, but my favorite sports are soccer, sex and sailing.

And never in that order!

Quote: "My question is, where do you mount it? Do you have it permanently mounted somewhere, or do you raise it with a halyard when you want to use it, or do you just set it on deck somewhere?"

It could be mounted, (and I would love to get all the wires tucked away somewhere) but even though it says that it is omni directional - it is not. So if the winds are light, we can put it on the flag halyard and twist the flag halyard such that the right direction is achieved. But ordinarily we attach it to one of the halyards on the mast with zip ties and orient it properly. I will get the compass headings from anntenaweb and we will go up there with a handheld to get it just right.

BTW - Antenna web will allow you to start with a zip code and then sorta move about until you get to where you think you are. It's crude mapping wise for some areas, but it is reasonably accurate.

The antenna is also 9 volts. Basically the antenna wire plugs into the TV and then that wire runs to a little metal box that has a 9 volt plug.Then another wire, we bought 25 feet runs to wherever we decide to put the antenna. In a rain storm just after dropping the hook, I have thrown it on the dodger hastily and its worked OK. I think the box the antenna came in said 9 volt, so that's what we did - but the little transformer box says 9-12 volts. I may try straight up 12 to see if it works even better!

I think what makes it work so well while cruising is the fact that the signal is amplified electrically.

And yes, we did get the RS step down plug converting 12 to 9 volts...

sten

Edited by - redviking on 11/14/2008 07:31:16

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2008 : 21:51:17

You may with to consider the Audiovox Model FPE1080 8" LCD TV/DVD Compact Disc and MP3 player. The unit was purchased at Circuit City in San Diego for approx. $200.00 The manual describes the functions to include DVD-Video, CD-R, CD-RW, CD Audio,Photo CD, DVD-RW, BVD-R, DVD+RW,DVD+R,MP3 and HDCD. It has a digital built-in SD and Multi-Media Card (MMC0

It operates on 12 VDC 1.7 A 100-240 VAC 50/60Hz volt and/or 12 VDC cigarette outlet.

It is used with a power assisted non directional Phillips antenna taped to port side in the storage area below the V berth. Reception depends on location, in populated areas up to 5 stations.

The unit is frequently used in conjunction with a rear camera by RV travel coaches pulling cars.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2008 : 22:15:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by zeil
 You may with to consider the Audiovox Model FPE1080 8" LCD TV/DVD Compact Disc and MP3 player...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Looks very cool! But I can't find it anywhere... Seems to be gone (like Circuit City).

Edited by - on

zeil
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Response Posted - 11/14/2008 : 23:08:55

address for Audiovox

www.audiovox.com." target="_blank">http://wwww.audiovox.com.

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=15188&langId=-1

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redviking
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USA
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Response Posted - 11/15/2008 : 07:50:39

Yeah, that's what I had in mind - a few months back a lot of off the shelf TV's had 12 volts coming in the back. Now it seems as if all of the new ones have the tranformer inside. RS does have other models in the 8 plus range. The one I bought is in the stores which typically means little to no issues as returns are a big headache for stores.

Did not check for the best buy, just implused it and hey - it works. Has a remote, built in battery pack for off the grid viewing, and is small enough to fit in a drawer while under way. But, I wanted Henks setup....

The real reason I thought my TV was cool is that it sucks so little power. Even with 4 Rolls big ass batteries, a wind gen and solar and 2 alternators, I still think with my C25 brain. I could run this thing on D cell batteries

The bigger the screen, the higher the draw.

Quote: "Reception depends on location, in populated areas up to 5 stations."

We typically have about 15-20 stations! Some are the worship channel, qubo, ION life - just saw Latts and Atts TV on TV! but we seem to be getting just about everything. On election night, in the middle of nowhere, we could actually go back and forth between channels just like on land.

sten

Edited by - redviking on 11/15/2008 08:02:18

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/15/2008 : 08:35:16

I really like the Audiovox with the built-in DVD player and the slightly bigger screen, but I googled it, and found a lot of cautions from owners citing repair problems.

I presently have a 15" LCD tv, that only works efficiently on 110 volts, and a portable dvd player, and have to disconnect the tv and stow it carefully in the v berth when I want to sail. Next year, it'll also need a converter box, which will make it even more inconvenient. The Dynex and the Accurian TVs, with the built-in digital tuners, solve that problem. They're so small and light-weight that you could either set one on it's stand on the saloon table, or velcro it to a bulkhead. If it's velcroed in place you could leave it there when sailing. If it's free-standing, you could slip a padded bag over it and toss it in a nearby locker when you want to sail, making it much more convenient. Then all I'd have to do is put the Scotch and rum bottles into the galley sink, and be good to go!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2008 : 08:36:58

I like Henk's unit with the DVD built in and 12V capability... But on the Audiovox site, if you try to find a retailer, you can't find the model number in any of their lists. Best Buy doesn't have it or anything like it, and Amazon can't find it either.

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redviking
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Response Posted - 11/16/2008 : 06:17:44

I should add that the Accurian does come with a 12 volt plug. It just runs on 9. I just looked again this morning. Cheap DVD player with a output line would allow me to watch movies on it, but for movies I go all the way and fire up my other laptop, the one with the 21.5 inch screen and then we output the sound to the stereo system.

sten

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 11/16/2008 : 08:10:53

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 11/16/2008 08:11:18

redviking
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Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 12:07:44

Quote: "Ahhh... You must be the guy that kept me awake on Great Salt Pond last July!"

Dave, you are right! There were SO many stinkpotters about running generators and such, that I decided to play one NASCAR movie at a time just to make myself incognito.

BTW- The origin of "stinkpotter" is from when pirates threw stink bombs with fish tails and salt peter and other nasties on fire onto the vessels they were boarding, which disabled the ship essentially. Ever been anchored behind a Nordhavn running the genset all night to keep the big screen running?

Funny ICW genset story... We were in the middle of nowhere when our Swedish friends hailed us and invited us over for bevs et al...

This solo cruiser, hijacking our VHF channel then invited us all over to his boat. When we arrived, an ABBA concert was playing on a big screen. He was so proud!

Anyway, 7.3 minutes into the embarrassing full screen presentation of something our friends obviously have seen and been attributed to before, his batteries fried. After repeater attempts to keep the genset operational, he thankfully gave up!

sten

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 11/18/2008 : 13:31:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 ...There were SO many stinkpotters about running generators and such,...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Well, one night on the hook just outside of Sag Harbor, an apparently vacant 40'+ sailboat was rocking gently nearby, and evidentally its wire halyards were slapping inside the mast--SHL-DING... SHL-DING... SHL-DING... It kept up until the last of the gentle swell and wakes were done a little past midnight.

(Remember, I'm old.)

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 09:51:28

OK, I bought the Dynex 110-12v portable tv (which is the same as Sten's Radio Shack tv with a different name on it), and I bought the Radio Shack antenna, and hooked them up last night, and received 23 channels! Woohooo!

The screen is small, but the performance of the little system really is extraordinary. Usually I receive 5 channels at my home. I've never heard of some of these stations, and haven't a clue where they're located. Thanks again for the tip, Sten! I couldn't be happier with it.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 18:33:26

Which Radio shack antenna????

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
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Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 19:04:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Which Radio shack antenna????

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">This one:
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2758170w345.jpg

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 19:49:55

Thanks Steve, I looked that up in radio shack, it seems to need a 110v supply?

Paul

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Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 21:15:04

Paul, I think it uses a "brick" to step down to 9V. You would use a 12V to 9V converter on your boat instead of the brick.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 22:17:04

Thanks Randy,
our new TV works great but a better antenna would probably work wonders.
When I ran the TV on board Tuesday, it pulled a lot less amps than the 7" model that will be obsolete in February.
We were running a Polaroid DVD Player with video input attached to a Polaroid Docking station. Combined they used more power than our new 15" TV/DVD.

Maybe one of the kids will get us a shakesphere antenna or similar for Crimbo.

Paul.

Edited by - on

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