Cello Traveller TV

Our caravan telly is a HD Samsung 21/22 screen from the high street somewhere. Unfortunately it's mains only but was only around £100/120 and the picture is great using the Status aerial.

Our Caravan TV is also a 22” Samsung HD we got it about 2 years ago.  It was a Curry’s exclusive and works off 12V,  claims to be 14V but we have never had a problem even with a less than fully charged battery. Cost about £120 plus another £10 for an after market power supply that I could butcher to make a 12v lead. Very good picture and more than adequate sound for our needs. 

Does anyone know if a Freeview recorder needs to have a signal when playing back pre recorded programmes, my Sky Box won't play any recording unless there is a signal? I would like to take one to Spain next summer but we will be too far south for Sky. Any advice would be great fully received.

BB is your man for info on Sky boxes but as you say I don't think they will play back without having a signal. 

Maybe if you do a separate post RE Sky in Spain BB will see it.

We use a Cello  Traveller with a Freesat tuner when in the van, we don't subscribe to Sky although we do have a box somewhere in the house.

When away in France/Spain we take an 85cm dish and use Astra 2 where we can get a signal, however that drops out near the border so we then switch to an encryption box and tune into Intel 907. 

Edit, should have said we have a portable hard drive that we pre record tv programmes on when we are home. We then play them back via the USB lead to the tv when away and can't get a signal.

I just left the TV at home when we went to France in the summer. Saves hassle and weight. 

We have a very old Avtex which serves us well but is considerable bulkier and heavier than the new ones. Have been contemplating upgrading so this thread is useful. Do any of the TVs discussed have Bluetooth capability? Ours has an FM transmitter and sound can be played through the onboard speakers and my radio headphones but Bluetooth would be much more flexible.

hi Kevin.....thanks TG for those kind words (the vinos are on me....)

you're right in that you can be 'too far south' for Sky but this really only refers to those 'home' Sky channels that are broadcast on the UK spot beam....BBC, ITV etc...

despite this, in Spain your dish (almost any dish) will be able to see the Astra 2 group well enough to get a signal and to lock on..

this, in itself, is enough to allow 'connection' to Sky to verify your subscription and to play your recordings....however, you need your viewing card inserted in order to check your sub...

now, to the 'too far' issue....

as I said, being anywhere south of the French/Spanish border will be a no-no for BBC etc even on an 85 cm dish....

however, Sky broadcasts its Sports and Movie channels on the Pan Euro beam which covers all of Europe right down to the south of Spain.

provided you have the right subscription, you should be able to pick up the sports and movies well into Spain on a 65/85 cm dish.

we have an 85 cm dish and get these easily at the Valencia area.

we will be going further south in January and will be interested to see what sort of range we get....

good luck.

CY, summer is a different kettle of fish. 

Light warm nights where you can sit outside or go for a walk/cycle/people watch  winter on the other hand, dark by teatime not warm enough to sit outside (without a coat) got to have something to do once the dishes are done 

Thanks BB, a nice vino by the lakes in May sounds just about right 

"got to have something to do once the dishes are done "

Use your imagination, girl!