Television options?

[nomadphotog]

Not often, but at times I do like to watch some mindless TV.  What are some options for doing that living mobile in a van?

Thanks

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If you're living in an urban area, and not boondocking far from civilization, it should be possible to pick up ordinary over-the-air broadcasts.  Use an antenna like this:

 http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RS-2...=1434618890&sr=1-17&keywords=winegard+antenna

and you can put a simple tuner on your computer or laptop to use it as a tv.  Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-119...qid=1434619157&sr=8-3&keywords=tv+tuner+stick

Regards
John

 

[SoulRaven]

If you have an internet connection, there are web based sites that offer links to TV stations around the country, and sometimes around the world.

If not, I have a 12v 10" LCD TV with it own antenna that will pick up local over the air channels. Some places have over 50 local channels to choose from.

 

[akrvbob]

There are lots of antennas that will pull in over-the-air TV more than 50 miles away. Many boondockers I know get great TV reception in the middle of nowhere.

If it's worth the money to you it's easy to get Direct or Dish satellite TV on the road.

Bob

 

[cherterr]

I only recently got back on the 'grid' w/tv. For two years I was without tv. Yay me!
ANYWAY...
During that time I had a big Gig internet (but still had to be 'careful' w/streaming). That being said:
I used Amazon Prime. Lots of free stuff to stream. Tv series (as recent as the season finales of most new/popularf) so it was my 'go to'.
Netflix.. not so much. Maybe with kids it would be good. Just wasn't a lot I cared about seeing. But.. you did say mindless.. so that may be a cheaper option.
Also a couple of local channels via antenna would come in Occasionally.. thereby WHY I ended up w/Amazon.

Hope you find what works for you.. Guess I should better explain the Amazon Prime deal. You get free 2 day shipping and a LOT of free streaming if you want. Others (obviously more popular shows) are less than $2 bucks an episode. Prime is now $99 per year. BUT if you buy stuff, a couple of ebay shipments could easily add up to that.

 

[cherterr]

OH.. sorry.. I should have mentioned: YouTube.
If you're willing to wait a little bit (sometimes just a few hours) some people's channels have your favorite uploaded. But probably not Game Of Thrones, etc. lol I'm speaking more of the General Hospital sort of thing.
And.. many of the 'conspiracy' types.. lol.. they have some pretty good 'news' channels. I liked "MoxNews" . Wonder how he's doin?

 

[ilovemyvan]

My favorite go-to is Hulu Plus. It's 7.99/month, no contract and most shows are available the next day. They have a lot of series from other countries too like England, New Zealand and Australia, programs I would have never found out otherwise. They event had a couple of French series that I really enjoyed. It's more a city solution with free wifi access. CBS.com is free and the shows are also available to next day.

-Nicole

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We don't have TV but do use online movie sites when we have wifi. We have been enjoying reading more than looking at TV.

A few vandwellers we know have 12V, 19" TVs that are under $100 online. Add a good antenna for around $50 and you can pull in OTA channels from pretty far away.
You probably will want a mount that articulates also.

 

[akrvbob]

One thing most people don't know about Amazon Prime is you can add two other relatives on your account. They have to be relatives, but i have lots of distant cousins!!!

Split the price three ways and it's a remarkable deal!
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

I do Netflix and Hulu here at home, but my mobile system only has 2Gig, so no videos. I am looking at those TV plug-ins for Laptop TV reception.

 

[Vantastic]

Good thread!  I am not on the road yet, but when I was, did a lot of torrent downloads...you can get anything.  Public internet has caught up and you can get around the blocks with a VPN or some configuring. 

Ideally, I just want local programming...news, etc.  Anything on cable can be torrent downloaded a day after the show airs and of course movies and TV series...almost anything, especially music.  It is a matter of conscious on file sharing.  I never share or sell anything to others.  It can be a total game changer on the road.

Also, TV through laptop or other device with a external USB device.  Operate through Windows Media Player.  Do need a good antenna...that seems to be the key!

Personally, I am all about NO monthly payments of any kind...and only those that are necessary like cell phone (and I am working on this as well)  All know Skype solves most calling issues for free.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

I'm using the antenna in this link at amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&tag=cheaprvliving-20&linkId=2QUGE6YNJ65474QT
It is a very good antenna, the signal comes from Wells, NV 20 miles away and is very clear! And is sturdy, it holds up well in the wind here in northern NV.

 

[compassrose]

I want a DISH and a no contract program package (turn on/off monthly as needed). I watch mostly movies from Redbox (so I can decide if I want to buy the movie or not). When in a park with full hookups, that normally includes TV. So if I'm someplace with decent TV for a couple of months, I can shut the service down and then turn it back on without much hassle. You can only shut it down for a billing period, not a calendar month.

www.dishformyrv.com

 

[Sameer]

I love a little TV in the evening. I also would love to have Dish, but I have done very well with a good antenna. With a good antenna you can get great local weather and PBS stations, major networks and much more. Flagstaff has almost 30 over the air channels and where I am now...Durango has over 60 channels and Cortez a over 75...YES! Local channels will give you better weather information and clue you into events in the area, Farmers Markets, free admission to Museums, local free dog clinics, swap meets, festivals, and all kinds of wonderful events and information. I am happy the Federal Government mandated that broadcasters must also broadcast over the air.

 

[janncoo]

Sameer, just a 12 volt tv and antenna? What brands please. Jan

 

[StarEcho]

I have used Hauppauge WinTV-HVR usb HDTV adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-119...sim_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ZXRGKSHD95K4DHXVM54

The version I used was 850, but this one looks very similar. Anyway, it worked just great in a city with antennas nearby. This was with the included antenna. If you had a better antenna you can also hook it up to it.

Since the screen on my laptop went kaput, I had to buy a cheap 19" tv to use as my monitor so I don't use the Hauppauge anymore, but it did work great when I needed it before.

 

[Sameer]

Jan...My television is a naxa...I bought it on Amazon 2 1/2 years ago for under a 100 bucks. It has lots of plug-in in the back so I can use it for a computer monitor or plug in my boom box or DVD player. I am on my 3rd antenna. Since almost all stations are Digital HD, I have the antenna mounted on a PVC 8 foot pole that mounts on the rear of my Van and breaks down into 3 pieces for storage. The ends screw on and is very easy to store. It is really all about the antenna and where you camp. I spend most of the year, all Winter in Southern Arizona in Ehrenberg/Yuma/Imperial Valley as a home-base. I can pull all the stations anywhere with my current antenna. The television uses very little power..
I love to schmooze with the locals...so like to go to local events where ever I am camping. Here are a few more events I discovered, thanks to local television broadcasts.
Free entrance to Grand Canyon last April
Tamale Festival in Somerton, AZ
Majool Date Festival in Yuma, AZ
Dogs in the Park in Pueblo, CO (4in1 and rabies booster for 20 bucks)
The best Farmers Market in Dolores, CO
Swap Meet in Grand Junction, CO..(15gal propane tank 10 bucks)
Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, NM
Last years most fun was had at the 'Standing on the Corner' festival in Winslow, AZ. 3 days of live music and fantastic food. Culminating in the crowning of 'Miss Flatbed Ford' Hahahahaha!
And so much more!

 

[janncoo]

StarEcho and Sameer, thank you for the info. We spent 3 months in Arizona last winter and did not have tv. I will research the info here and maybe add tv to our van. I don't want anything that involves paying to watch tv. Jan

 

[highdesertranger]

ah Miss flatbed. I need to see that one. highdesertranger