A very cheap DIY HD TV idea..

[End80]

Hello, My name is Rich. I'm a new owner of a Grampian 26, it's my first sailboat.
Anyway, I'm playing with this idea for a inexpensive 12v tv for my boat... This is What I have in mind;

I buy an inexpensive tv tuner box w/ remote that can be hooked to any monitor, something like this one for $18.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331625360490?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Then use a converter to bring it down to the required 5V/1A input needed for the tv tuner.. Like this one for $7.00

http://www.amazon.com/SMAKN®-Conver...987743&sr=8-7&keywords=12v+to+5v+1a+converter

Do something similar (if necessary) for power input to a laptop screen (I have a couple screens I removed from some dead laptops).
Then lastly wire the tv tuner to the laptop screen..

The results is an over-air HD television set which runs on a 12v battery. Much less draw on the battery than an inverter would use, and my total cost for the color HD tv set would be under $30.00!

I see no reason why this would not work perfect!..
Now, what am I not considering? Can anyone burst my bubble?

 

[Windborne]

Don't know much about do-it-yourself electronics. Sounds clever. Unfortunately, there isn't anything over the air on tv worth watching. Good luck though.

 

[Ken Cross]

It sounds right. The challenge in most DIY projects will be packaging. For me the interface between the display and the tuner would be a challenge. If that works you should be home free. If it doesn't work you aren't out much and have had a bit of fun trying.

Ken

 

[Chris & Lenore]

I bought a 19 inch RCA (with tuner, HDMI, VGA, Composite inputs), cut the 12 volt "wall wart" off and wired it directly to 12 volts. It has internal regulation and can work on 10 to 30 volts. Cost $80 at Wallmart and draws only 1.1 amp.
I couldn't find a monitor with an amperage draw anywhere near 1.1 amp - tried several but all took close to 3 amps and required an inverter.
The image quality of this TV is excellent, good viewing angle and for pay movies and netflix I plug my iPad into the HDMI port. The iPad is plugged into 12 volts but only draws 1/20 amp when used this way (with it's screen off).

Lots of ways to skin the cat....

Chris

 

[End80]

What model RCA Chris? I've thought about doing the same type thing.. A lot of the Sharp tv's carry a wall-warts too, but I've read (don't know) comments saying that doing so is likely to burn up the tv in a short time.. talk about electronic mojo stuff I don't quiet comprehend.. but I do understand that as long as all the power requirements are compatible there's no reason it shouldn't work.. So, what $80 19" RCA tv is this that only draws 1.1 amp?

Ken, I don't forsee much problem interfacing the tuner to the display - however, I did forget about the amplifying the audio, it would have to connect to a stereo or something, no biggie, but it is that much more power draw..

And Windborne, I haven't had cable in about 7 years.. I get 14 channels of over-air broadcast (granted, one is in Spanish, and another is just weather, but the other dozen I watch) plus I have a Roku which I really like a lot, I subscribe to only the free channels which has a surprising amount (several hundred) of worthwhile movies, prime time shows, and other content, including stuff from the cable channels -Always something good to watch, on demand to boot! No monthly cost whatsoever - well.. actually you do need a wi-fi connection, but I have that anyway. I don't miss cable a bit.

eh.. hell, I use to struggle with the rabbit ears to get 3 channels!..

 

[centerline]

to keep it simple and less complicated, you can go to any big truckstop and buy a 12v tv for around $125-150, plug-and-play, and it comes with a little bit of a warrenty...
but I suppose if you already have a monitor you dont need, and you need another experimental project, putting together a TV from pieces and parts would rank right up there with some of the other unnecessary ways to waste some time...

 

[Bill Roosa]

Slightly more expensive is a reall tv (running off 12 volt ship mains via standard coax power cable nutered from wall wart) with intergal CD player. mounted it over the nav station so I can use it as a computer monitor when under way for nav software and a CD player when not underway. Mounted it on a swing arm so you can face it toward the salon seats or companionway or the nav seat. with seperate mouse and keyboard the computer tucks nicely under the nav desk on the hull

 

[Rick Webb]

I was thinking kinda backwards to this issue and wondering about a TV tuner for an IPad. Anyone seen such a thing?

 

[End80]

That's easy $18: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELGATO-eyeT...in-/272081675639?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Or if you have an old model ipad you can get it even cheaper $5 http://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Mobile-30-Pin-iPhone-10026010/dp/B00A0BXBTG

It's all rather off topic for a sailing forum aint it

 

[End80]

By the way.. Merry Christmas everyone

 

[Rick Webb]

Looked at the Elgato, VERY limited coverage and you have to pay to get the service.

I was thinking of a tuner that picks up local FREE TV signals

 

[End80]

Apologies, Thought that was what it was! I didn't realize there was a service charge, I had come across it while I was looking for a tv tuner, and only glanced over it.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Interesting thought, but I get down to the boat to get away from things. I may check my computer but I don't want to watch TV when on the boat. If I am really bored a movie will work.

 

[chuckwayne]

"any monitor" means one that has the video circuitry built into the monitor - and usually has a standard input like composite with and RCA connector or a cable F connector. The laptop monitors are missing those features because the control circuits are built into the motherboard and are integral to the laptop. Use one of the other suggested solutions.

 

[seadaddler]

HD TV with DVD and a marine antenna off the top of the bimini and run it off my inverter charger and most times
get local channels but some times reception is not great.
When cruising we like the news and TV shows at night.

 

[pateco]

Try This Insignia™ - 19" Class (18-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 720p - HDTV - Black Only $89 runs on 12V

 

[druid]

I think the biggest problem you'll have is an antenna - it tends to compete with that big aluminum stick you have sticking out of your boat . I find much more watchable stuff on my laptop (including the dozen or so DVD's I've saved to the HD).

But interesting idea, and good luck!

Lloyd

 

[End80]

I don't know, a cheap digital antenna works well for me at home, unaware on what effects the mast is going to have.. But I have come to realize what ChuckWayne said a few post up is correct - my brilliant idea is a flop!.. I'll probably either end up getting a tv that will run on 12v, or put duel use of my working laptop along with a tv tuner.. Doesn't matter, it was just a thought on a cheap luxury for on the boat. It can wait.

 

[CYQK]

No brilliant idea is ever a flop!!!!

Take the idea and improve!!!
Then install!!!!!!!

 

[Bob 04 H260]

Try This Insignia™ - 19" Class (18-1/2" Diag.) - LED - 720p - HDTV - Black Only $89 runs on 12V

We have the same TV on our boat, very pleased with it. The DVD player we use has wifi so it streams Netflix to it in a marina, or we watch on air stations.
One feature we like is that you can adjust the viewing angle. Ours is mounted up high and we lay down on the settee to watch. The tv can be adjusted so the picture appears normal when viewed from a very low angle.
Bob