TV's

Sailormann · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007

Does anyone have a good TV system on board that they would recommend ?

bestfriend · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007

I just bought a new set for my house. It may be a little big for a boat, but I will share what I learned. I bought the Sony Bravia 32" KDL-32S3000. Its a great LCD. Why did I buy it? Its flat black, the response time is 8ms(very important), aspect can be changed in HD(not so for some brands), the remote is simple and intuitive, no big glowing "on" light. Don't be fooled by contrast ratio, there is no standard measurement for this. Anything around 1600/1 normal is fine. The Bravia is 1600/1 and 8000/1 dynamic, but the numbers are nonsense. If you are not going bigger than 32", don't bother with 1080p/i, you won't notice the difference from 720p. You will need a set with an HD tuner if you plan on using an antenna. For the smaller sets, I liked Samsung.

Sailormann · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007

I'll check the Sony's out. Can't believe I'm doing it but the nieces and nephews have taken a shine to the boat and I need something to entertain them while I drink

bestfriend · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2007

Forgot to mention one thing I don't like about the Bravia. The connections for the inputs stick straight out the back, so unless you use the hdmi input, flush mounting may be difficult. I had to put a 2x4 between the mount and the wall for clearance. Not bad in the house, but may not be good for the boat.

k1vsk · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

given it is a boat and not a media room, I'm not sure there how important HD or aspect ratio should be but rather you might simply consider how BRIGHT the screen will be given the boat can be inherently brighter inside than your house TV room.
Another considertion which may not be relevant is the power source. Assuming you plan to run it off 110VAC, no problem. If you are looking for a TV which can be used from a 12VDc source, most flat panels will have a power brick typically used to convert 110VAC to 12VDC at the tv. Eliminating that brick is a common solution (to allow direct connection to the boat's 12V power)but subjects to TV to voltage spikes which will cook the power board if you are not careful.

jackytdunaway · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

I have a 15" polaroid flat screen mounted in mine that runs off off 12-v or 120-V. i also saw a nice 15" toshiba that uses a 12-v trtansformer when it runs off of 120-v so all you need top do is leave off the transformer.

Sailormann · #7 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

Wondering about the antennae people use - is anyone on satellite ? Does it work ?

christyleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

One of these days I'll install an antenna on the mast but for now I just use one of those 'Boatennas' that either lays on the pilothouse roof or gets hauled up the mast when I go out of the bay. It gets as good or better reception than the flying saucer type I have used in the past on other masts. For Satelite the 'Follow Me TV' setup is temping but I don't know anyone who has used it personally. This is my second Sharp Aquos. This one is a 15" that I have built in the aft cabin with DVD/VCR all run on AC from either shore, inverter, or generator.

teshannon · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

I have a HD LCD 27' Samsung on my boat, it's great. I used an articulating arm mounted on a bulkhead (the arm weighs twice as much as the TV). No antenna, I only use it dockside with cable. The last thing I want to hear while sailing is a TV. That's what Frank Sinatra is for.

HerbDB · #10 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007

I have a small toshiba 20 " HD LCD TV with dvd built in. I run it and my sons game systems on a little 350 watt inverter. We are halfway from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas and it keeps him busy.

We also hoist a Boatenna from the rigging when we anchor for broadcast tv. We had HD out of Charleston last night. I ordered the Boatenna off the internet for about $70.

Herb DuBois
SV Split Decision
currently in Port Royal, SC