When we bought our van last year, we didn't go to the lengths of buying a new TV to fit the drop down cabinet which is standard in our Swift Group van. We continued to use our old 15" analogue Philips TV - which is okay except that we can't rotate it in the TV holder because its too fat and it is not digital.
We're now looking for a new TV of not more than 16", so we know it will rotate in the bracket properly.
I've heard that the LED models have viewing-angle limitations and also small TV's do have a bit of a reputation for poor sound quality.
Can anyone recommend a small TV (not more than 16"). I know others may fit, but am really looking within this boundary. We don't really need DVD combi and we don't really need 12v, although I would consider them.
Does anyone recommend the Avtex 16" TV's? They're expensive, but is this justified? I am someone who prefers quality to quantity - LOL!
We have an Avtex 16" TV and it is fabulous. We have a Sterling with the drop down cabinet and it fits and swivels perfectly. Quality of image is brilliant too - would highly recommend. Expensive yes - worth it? - yes!
------------- 2012
March - Woodovis, Devon
April - Trewethett, Tintagel
April - Santander - no caravan
May - The Willows, Abersoch
June - Killegruer, Mull of Kintyre
August - Gwithian Farm, Cornwall
September - TBC
October - TBC
Our van is the Swift Charisma 550 which I assume is similar to yours. We purchased a nice 19 inch Hitachi which will turn to face the bed, except with a scart lead attached! Personally would find a 16 inch a bit too small and even the 19 inch is not really big enough but is the largest that will fit in the cabinet.
Hi. The salesperson in John Lewis told me that, in their opinion, Avtex are only worth the extra money if you think you might need to run your tv on 12v. As I wouldn't be doing that, they recommended buying any other tv from a decent manufacturer and saving a couple of hundred pounds. NB JL do sell Avtex so the salesperson wasn't just saying this to secure a sale.
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
We bought a Technika from Tesco with built in DVD for under £150 and it works just fine. Came with a 2 year warranty. If it goes after a few years it is cheap enough to replace.
I think I need to go and have a look at an Avtex demo model again, to check out the sound quality and viewing angle for myself.
David - I'm really not interested in going bigger than 16" - we have a 15" already, so we know what its like in our van in terms of the screen size and I do want it to face the bed with ease e.g. no fouling of the connections, or the venetian blind. I suppose it depends on what you get used to. At home, we have a 37" LCD in a fairly large lounge area, so we're not used to a big-screen experience. If I had a 40"+ TV at home, then I might find the 16" a bit squinty by comparison!
Personally, I wouldn't consider a Hitachi either. Don't get me wrong, they are one of the biggest and best technology companies in the world (I work for them in another subsidiary!), but having had a couple of sets of theirs in the past, I am not a fan of their TV products at all.
Merry - I can understand where the John Lewis salesman is coming from as the Avtex is quite pricey and seems only to offer a 12v connection as a plus against other small TV's. However, I am thinking that the salesperson is unlikely to be a caravanner, so perhaps can't quite see the finer points of a TV designed specifically for use in leisure vehicles and might not appreciate the more subtle features, such as light-weight, compactness, recording to a USB etc - quick easy tuning etc,. Just a thought! Nor would the JL Salesperson be familiar with the drop-down TV holder in a Swift Group van, which does have significant limitations on what will fit - and awkwardness of connections!
There! It sounds like I've come to a decision - almost! It is a lot of money for a dinky TV though :-(
Hi
John Lewis also sells the Linsar brand. Exceptionally good resolution at wide viewing angles and certainly better than our previous Philips. It has DVD facility and very intuitive remote control (believe me some designs are horrendous!). It also has a SCART input, memory card slots and is HD capable by having an HDMI socket. Two year guarantee
If you're desperate to catch up on programmes you could consider versions that allow recording by attaching a memory stick.
The URL is:
http://www.johnlewis.com/Search/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=linsar
- I will have a look at the Linsar too. I like John Lewis for the 5 year guarantees.
I saw the Avtex at Chipping Sodbury Caravans this morning - having phoned first to establish that they had a working display model we could see. It was a woeful demonstration, with the lad trying to demonstrate a set which was almost at ceiling height, before eventually explaining that this was the older non-LED version! He then revealed that the newer model was at the back of the shop and proceeded to demonstrate that. After a lot of faffing around whilst he tried to tune in the TV - Mr UM had to point out that he was doing an analogue search and we are in a digital-only area! The lad tried the DVD, but that wouldn't play and he was struggling to operate the TV at all - so we gave up and left the shop muttering in despair (as any grumpy old caravanner would!). The lad chased us down as we got into the car and declared that he had got the TV signal working after all! We politely returned to the shop to see it. It has to be said, the picture is excellent and the sound seemed okay too - as far as we could tell in the shop environment.
I didn't fancy a trip to John Lewis at Bristol Cribbs Causeway in the rain on a BH - the place would be packed, so am just biding my time until I can get over there in the next day or so.
Quote: Originally posted by Ulti-Mates on 30/5/2011
...
Merry - I can understand where the John Lewis salesman is coming from as the Avtex is quite pricey and seems only to offer a 12v connection as a plus against other small TV's. However, I am thinking that the salesperson is unlikely to be a caravanner, so perhaps can't quite see the finer points of a TV designed specifically for use in leisure vehicles and might not appreciate the more subtle features, such as light-weight, compactness, recording to a USB etc - quick easy tuning etc,. Just a thought! Nor would the JL Salesperson be familiar with the drop-down TV holder in a Swift Group van, which does have significant limitations on what will fit - and awkwardness of connections!...
Funnily enough, the salesperson was indeed an experienced caravanner and it was at the Cribbs branch of JL! We had quite a long chat and they were v clear and definite in their views, although in the nicest possible JL way. As I didn't buy an Avtex or anyother tv in the end I don't have an opinion of my own to offer, I'm afraid.
Post last edited on 30/05/2011 18:03:57
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
I got a free Alba 16`` from Argos as a gift for taking out a funeral plan . It works great , sound is acceptable . Has a scart (1) and extensions for better quality speakers . Normal cost is under £80.00 . Worth considering .
Quote: Originally posted by AlanHardware on 02/6/2011
I got a free Alba 16`` from Argos as a gift for taking out a funeral plan . It works great , sound is acceptable . Has a scart (1) and extensions for better quality speakers . Normal cost is under £80.00 . Worth considering .
We are condering a 16" . We don't bother with tv's ourselves but because our handicapped son would live in the van 24/7 TV is a must for his space.We have bought many Audio/Visual items over the years from various manufacturers but cannot recommend Alba. Without exception every piece of equipment made by them which we got failed after less than 12 weeks due to poor buttons.
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Topic: Best TV with 16" screen?
