Satellite

[Wellington]

Our new Carthago has a fancy satellite system fitted, and a really stupid place for the tv. Before I get a new one fitted, I thought I’d see what sort of set up other people use. I have only the dimmest idea of how normal telly works, these days - the last time I had one, you put up an ariel, so I don't know what kind of boxes you need.

I have had no luck finding a Smart 12v tv. I assume they are not available. We have some old DVDs, but now stream Amazon Prime or Netflix at home exclusively. We don’t watch live tv, or bbc iplayer do we don’t have (or need) a licence.

I’m pondering buying a cheap laptop instead. That will allow us to upload the DVDs we have and download more content, but still watch live streaming when available, with flexibility around power sources. I will probably get a Windows one, which will be a learning curve, but Apple products are not designed to work without cloud access, much as I love them generally. Also, a MacBook would be one bloody expensive telly substitute! It will need stowing, rather than being fixed which I generally try to avoid, but given the layout I can’t see much opportunity for fixing a tv into the lounge area anyway.

I’m wondering about satellite connectivity vs 4g, and whether data will be fast enough in France and Italy. I’m looking for an unlimited data plan of some sort, ideally that I can just activate when we are away, rather than year round, and whether I need some sort of MiFi/WiFi doodah to make it work with things that are not TVs for streaming.

 

[Motorhome-dude]

Our new Carthago has a fancy satellite system fitted, and a really stupid place for the tv. Before I get a new one fitted, I thought I’d see what sort of set up other people use. I have only the dimmest idea of how normal telly works, these days - the last time I had one, you put up an ariel, so I don't know what kind of boxes you need.

I have had no luck finding a Smart 12v tv. I assume they are not available. We have some old DVDs, but now stream Amazon Prime or Netflix at home exclusively. We don’t watch live tv, or bbc iplayer do we don’t have (or need) a licence.

I’m pondering buying a cheap laptop instead. That will allow us to upload the DVDs we have and download more content, but still watch live streaming when available, with flexibility around power sources. I will probably get a Windows one, which will be a learning curve, but Apple products are not designed to work without cloud access, much as I love them generally. Also, a MacBook would be one bloody expensive telly substitute! It will need stowing, rather than being fixed which I generally try to avoid, but given the layout I can’t see much opportunity for fixing a tv into the lounge area anyway.

I’m wondering about satellite connectivity vs 4g, and whether data will be fast enough in France and Italy. I’m looking for an unlimited data plan of some sort, ideally that I can just activate when we are away, rather than year round, and whether I need some sort of MiFi/WiFi doodah to make it work with things that are not TVs for streaming.

I have a satellite system installed. It's rubbish in Europe. It can be pretty rubbish in the UK (if you're near trees or buildings) It was fitted to the van when I bought it, so I use it....for now!

I'm exactly the same as you, we don't watch ordinary telly at home. We use an Amazon Firestick with Netflix and Disney for the girls.

Honestly, If I was you I'd hang out for 5G unlimited data plans. 5G is going to turn this whole motorhoming /internet/telly on it's head!

And no! you don't need another TV licence for the motorhome if you've got one at home.

Here's my thoughts -

 

[Motorhome-dude]

Ps don’t need data for satnav if you use co pilot caravan (about £40 I think) and you can download all maps to use offline.

Co-Pilot is/was £26.00 for the year when I purchased it off Google Playstore in April 2019

Worth every penny. A very smart app!

 

[addoaddo]

Don’t hold your breath over 5g. Initial role out will be focused on populated areas so campsite in good locations will be a long way down the list

 

[irnbru]

I have had no luck finding a Smart 12v tv. I assume they are not available

We have one. Check out Cello and Ferguson, ours is Ferguson but made by cello.

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[Wellington]

I’ve since discovered our tv does have hdmi (on the opposite side to the usb. Silly me only checked one side!) but I think I’m going to go for a cheap laptop. Herself will have the current tv/dvd for use offline in the rear bed, plus her iPad for streaming, which is what she mostly uses at home. I can then have the laptop either in the front lounge or the overcab which will do me for streaming, dvd and downloaded content. She won’t have much downloaded content, although I could possibly get her a usb or similar for the 12v tv (I assume I can put paid for content on it?) I suspect I will eventually upgrade her to a laptop as well, just for the storage issue (then I can get rid of the DVDs) they are a similar size and can run on 12v, play and store DVDs and purchased content. Seems easier, except possibly for battery life, but that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

I’m going to get a Mifi thingy, and buy a 30 day 30 gig Vodafone sim for it, one for July on Monday and one for August. As we are away mid July to mid August we can use the 60gb of data on the middle 30 days and that will have to do her. I will have my phone data for fact finding and navigation etc, so we won’t run out for useful stuff.

 

[Campervan_man]

Atex Low Voltage TV's
Vision Plus TV's both designed for the Leisure Market.
I always fit Avtex Snipe3 Satellites to My vans as once locked on to Astra2
the Snipe3 can be switched off to conserve 12V power but stays locked on to the satellite until manually stowed by pressing the HOME button.
I believe the newest Snipe3 have an ignition trigger wire so retract automatically when the engine is turned on.
Internet is only any good if and when it works, sounds an expensive option though but always do what is best for you.

 

[irnbru]

I always fit Avtex Snipe3 Satellites to My vans as once locked on to Astra2

How long have these been out? I thought they were fairly recent or do you change vans often? And what is the difference between snipe 2 and 3 please.

 

[Campervan_man]

Hi,
Snipe1 being the first version with a sort of rectangular controller,
Snipe2 has a round shaped controller, Snipe3 has a 'box unit controller' a bit like a normal Sat receiver box.
I had a Snipe2 in my last van and a Snipe3 in my current van.
I have fitted a few of these at a Dealership and bought a couple for myself.
I am on ebay and offer a fitting service, they look easy-ish to fit but can be tricky as if the securing bolts are not flush damage will occur if the sat rotates.
They don't take up much room on the roof and fold down to a small size..
They are ebay, sold by German sellers { £600 on ebay } but are delivered quickly to the UK. Ensure the aluminium fitting base plate is included in the kit if fitting to a M'home roof. Can be just placed on a boat deck or outside a caravan to be used as is 'out of the box'.
I like them, they are good.

 

[62140]

yes i bought this Cello, it seems very good for the money
Amazon product ASIN B072MFM7YB

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[62140]

this
Amazon product ASIN B072MFM7YB

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

We have an Alden AS4 satellite system hooked up to an Avtex 22” tv with FTA satellite receiver. The Avtex is not ‘Smart’ in the way Home TVs are with onboard internet/Apps etc. We therefore use Chromecast with a HUAWEI E5785 Mifi to stream video (when interweb connection/data package allows) or to cast previously downloaded material from iPad to the tv. Seems to cover most of our needs at the moment.

 

[Odd-no-more]

We have a lead from a samsung phone, it puts the phone screen on the tv. We can stream from the phone, also Netflix and Amazon let you download movies and complete series to the phone (64gb sd) so we can download at home or on wifi if no service on site.

 

[Ingwe]

I hope I'm not jinxing it but I have unlimited data (and texts etc) with Virgin for £24 per month. Using my iPhone as a hotspot and an Amazon Firestick, we've been able to watch BBC iplayer including live tv, Netflix and Amazon Prime (both with subscriptions) for over three months in Spain and Portugal and no throttling. Hardly used my RoadPro dome this year.