Cello Traveller TV

The Finlux will be fine but would prefer to have a built in sat tuner but is it worth spending £60 to get something that may be used once a year? As the only concern is that the Finlux may be a tad large for us the it's looking like the Cello.

I would say yes as having the satellite receiver built in saves a lot of extra gubbins in the van. We used to have a separate receiver when we used a free standing dish but when we decided to have a fully automatic roof mounted dish we also purchased the Avtex which we have been very pleased with and appreciate its all neat and tidy in the van. I can't comment on other makes as have no experience.

David

I have no experience of the Finlux but on another Forum someone was saying that they can't pick up French digital tv with theirs. Now that may not be an issue for you just thought I would mention it incase.

I would also agree having a built in tuner is better, less kit to have to accommodate around the van, so less leads etc. The Cello having sat, freeview, Irish freeview, DVD and a USB all built in keeps it nice and tidy. We do record using a portable hard drive, put lots of it on while at home and then if we want to go out while away can set it to record while we are out. Can be an issue if trying to do it to far in advance because of the EPG. 

Many thanks for all the feedback.

A set with a sat tuner would stop the "why are we carting this box around" question but deprive me of the opportunity to say "because you want to watch TV abroad". We don't have Sky at home and only started using TV abroad when given the old box to catch up on news.

If it was not for the Avtex we have showing its age,DVD not working, would soldier on but looking like the Cello will get the vote.

Thanks again.

Following a call to acdctv, who had the Cello on offer at £199.99, have now carried out a review of my potential viewing of UK TV when in Europe. The reason being that, 'due to high demand', the set is now £249.99 which mean s I would be paying £100 for the inbuilt sat tuner.

They did offer it at £219.99 but when I called back said that was a 'mistake' and best price would be £239.99 so still £90 for a sat tuner so will not now be buying.

Thanks again to all who responded with advice/comments.

A heads up about the Cello range of tvs.

We bought a 22" Traveller tv with sat receiver inside and was generally pleased with it however recently noticed that there are several new tv channels on freeview which however do not appear when we retune arriving at a different site.

I contacted Cello asking about a software update only to be told they do not have such an update meaning the tv will become obsolete regarding new introduced channels.

Are any of the suggested TVs smart TVs? We have a Free Sat internet linked box which works well with our Avtex given a good wifi but would like to reduce the amount of 'gubbins' that goes with it!

A software update would not make any more Freeview channels available, a full channel scan will pick up all available channels from that particular transmitter assuming the aerial is adequate and not all transmitters transmit the full array of channels.

Absolutely, just scan regularly for those added channels, and also every time you change location. The point about an adequate aerial is very relevant too, in some areas you will definitely need an aerial which can be rotated horizontally or vertically to take into account the polarisation of the broadcast mast. Only then will you enjoy all the channels 'supplied'!

Used the cello for about three years with no problems. The SAT tuner is very basic and I use an external one now with HDMI.

Just changed it for a really cheap Manta from box.co.uk (also cheap for the Cello models) which is very light and has really good picture. I use a separate tuner for sat and stick for video.

 I can't comment on Cello or Finlux, but we had a fairly old flatscreen TV in the van, not a motorhome or caravan specific model, not even 12v, I had fitted an inverter to power it (amongst other things) if we were "off grid"....

But the O/H constantly complained about the viewing angle and screen quality  ( I didn't really care after a few vino's).....

After looking at everything on the market, we bought one of the new Avtex Pro 9 series ( with built in sat & two tunery do da's so you can watch one & record the other channel. Or something...). Outwardly it appears to be a nice bit of kit.....

I found it very hard to compare viewing angles when looking at the published specs, some of the manufacturers seem reluctant to publish info which allows you to make meaningful comparisons....

In the end I decided that even though the Avtex was more expensive, I've never in life regretted buying something decent & the additional cost spread over 5 or 10 years is neither here nor there.....

We use it with an Avtex aerial and find the picture quality very good.