Recommendations for a 12 volt digital TV?

[Sundancer]

I need to buy a TV for the boat/travel trailer. I think I'll get one that runs on 12 volts. Any reason NOT to? Then I don't have to worry about the 110 side. Any recommendations for small, cheap and digital ready?

 

[Hampton]

I'm trying to order a 2009 Jensen 1909DC. Look at the Jensen JE1908, then make it only 3" thick, increase the contrast rating to 1000, and put the controls on the front right with either blue or red back lighting, and you have the 1909. Defender had them advertised yesterday for $497 - boat show priced. I called Jensen, and they said it wasn't out yet. Today, Defender disabled the link. The Jensen rep didn't know what it was. I sent him the link. He sent me the brochure for the TV once he researched it.

In 2008, the 1908 (19", 2008) was AC/DC. In 2009, the DC is an option, apparently. It uses 5 amps. I don't see any reason not to get DC. This seems to be a fine instrument. It has VESA mounts. The circuit boards are all mounted to an internal metal frame to combat vibration (not mounted to cosmetic outer cover). The circuit boards are coated to combat corrosion.

I've shopped for 1.5 years. Now, this is the one I really want. I can't wait for it to come out. By the way, the JE 1908's best price was around $530.

 

[Craig]

I have 2 of these and am very pleased with them. Not real high end but works well and has a good picture.
http://www.wirelesshut.com/306639/11864435.html

 

[charlieft]

I bought a West Marine 400W portable power inverter for $40 and then just bought a
regular 120V AC TV with a built in dvd player. It was a lot less expensive than a 12V DC tv, works great, can use 120V when available, and I could shop around with many models to choose from.

 

[Alex F]

I bought a West Marine 400W portable power inverter for $40 and then just bought a
regular 120V AC TV with a built in dvd player. It was a lot less expensive than a 12V DC tv, works great, can use 120V when available, and I could shop around with many models to choose from.

At this point this is the approach I'm looking to take. I already have the 400W inverter, so I'm just looking for TV with good resolution and build-in DVD. One other important thing I found is the lack of sound power. With such a small speakers TVs in size under 20' produce low sound and at times it's hard to hear it during the day when there's a lot of outside noise. So, I'm still searching.

 

[Sundancer]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be taking a look and trying to make a decision. We have an inverter, but I'd rather not have to use it. It's just one more device that gets in the way. If I go 12 volt, I don't have to mess with it, but the prices seem high for the 12 volt. I've got all winter long to hunt and peck to find one.

I'm off to the mall tomorrow....

 

[MySR8u]

I have had very good luck with the cheaper line of 'Insignia' TVs from Best Buy with built in DVD players. Unfortunately, with these you will need to use an AC inverter to run them, but a small 400watt model is more than enough and are very cheap.

Below is an example of one I installed on a 360DA, with dual mounts so the customer can use the TV in the cabin or in the cockpit. Also you can wire the sound into the stereo's auxiliary input (if you have one) and broadcast the tv's sound throughout the boats stereo.

With a simple Glomex Digital antenna you can pickup a good majority of the HD programming, or you can opt. for a satellite receiver for even more options!

 

[Quint4]

I bought this Polaroid 19" with DVD from Circuit City. I cut off the "wall wart" transformer and wired it direct to 12V. It has worked out great.

 

[boatmailster]

At this point this is the approach I'm looking to take. I already have the 400W inverter, so I'm just looking for TV with good resolution and build-in DVD. One other important thing I found is the lack of sound power. With such a small speakers TVs in size under 20' produce low sound and at times it's hard to hear it during the day when there's a lot of outside noise. So, I'm still searching.

you can connect it to your stereo input

about resolution - almost all small panels have same or close resolution, only high grade medical, graphic and military panels are capable of displaying full (or even more) 1080p rest of them just down-convert to 720p (some do better scaling than others)