flat panels

[agoodman]

I am thinking of installing a flat panel lcd with a built in dvd player on my boat this winter. I am wondering what feed back and models others have put in?

[wwilson]

agoodman,

I agonized over this for at least 4-months and this is the one to get.

Amazon.com: Toshiba 22LV610U 22-Inch 720p LCD TV with Built in DVD Player, Black: Electronics

Also available in 19"

Wayne

[sailingdog]

How big a panel are you looking at? If you're looking for a smaller one, try and find one that runs off of 12 VDC so that you can wire it into the boat's 12 VDC system and not require the inefficiency of an inverter.

[agoodman]

i was looking for 19" model. When looking at the toshiba they mentioned a volume issue. Have you had any issue with the 22" model? Also did you mount an antenna at the top of your mast?

[wwilson]

Originally Posted by agoodman

i... Have you had any issue with the 22" model? Also did you mount an antenna at the top of your mast?

No issue with the sound level at all. I can't imagine what that criticism is all about unless they were expecting the presence of sound that 40-50" televisions have. This is a relatively new issue (as is the 19") of this model (early '09) so the manufacturer may have boosted the amplification. In any event, it will fill a boat's saloon with sound at half throttle.

I'm not so sure that I'd chase after a DC HDTV. These LCD TV's have very low power requirements anyway, 60W. An inexpensive inverter - inefficiencies and all- will do no serious damage to your house banks unless you are into all night sessions. Five Hr of TV for ~ 25-35 Ah. More with the DVD, but who goes sailing to watch 5 Hr of TV anyway?

I built a UHF antenna that I hoist on the topping lift and get broadcast DTV signals if I use it at anchor (almost never). At the dock CATV is available.

Wayne

[agoodman]

in the back of my mind i was thinking it is not that big of an area to fill with sound. But was surprised with the reviews talked about this. My boat is only 35 ft so the salon area is pretty compact. How did you make a UHF antenna?

[negrini]

The mojority of below 26" LCDs use the low-cost TN film, wjth a significant poor angle. This is very easy to identify, go to a store and simply lower your head a few inches in front of the monitor and you will see the brightness of the entire display dim dramatically. It will definitely impact the places where you can mount it in your cabin. The only one I found so far is the Sharp Aquos 19" that uses different technology (IPS ?). I installed an LG22 near the ceiling and can only view the screen from half cabin away ....

[poopdeckpappy]

I have 2 Insignia FS TVs' one 26" in the salon and a 19" w/dvd in the forward berth, got them at Best Buy really cheap, had them 2.5yrs now

Use a tilt & swivel wall mount if veiwing angle is a issue

[chef2sail]

We got a 22 Inch Toshiba HDTV with built in DVD. Its very energy efficient as Wayne has stated using 25 ah for a football game or 35 for an average DVD so we run it off of an inverter. We got it for under 200 when Circuit city went kaput this year and were just looking for new Bose speakers at the time for the cabin. We never thought we would want A TV on the boat, but the offer was to go to beat. It also beats doing DVD movies on the old laptop. On our trip to New England last summer we found it Nice to watch some local weather as well as news once in a while.

We Mounted it on a Peerless articulating arm flat on the bulkhead so we can swing it out and tilt it to a good angle no matter where we want to see it, but it remains stowed flat against the wall when underway. My wife made a fax leather cover for it so it doesn't pick up unneeded dust.

Antennae is a Shakespeare TV one mounted on the pole on the stern above the radar. You can use very simple rabbit ears as we did in the beginning but this is so much easier. We Get 22 channnels...HD quality...on the Chesapeake on the Patapsco and as far south as West River.

Was nice to watch the Preakness rafted up with others this year.

Dave

[wwilson]

Originally Posted by agoodman

How did you make a UHF antenna?

Sent to you via e-mail

W