wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (10/31/85)
I'd appreciate seeing recommendations or comments on tiny or pocketable TVs. Especially worthwhile would be comments on reliability (these things are likely to get dropped, after all) and battery life (though all have the capability of using external AC power supplies, their purpose is to be easily transported, so I would expect them to be run on batteries most of the time). Also, most would never be hooked up to outside or large antennae, so their sensitivity and stability when using their own whip aerials is most important, especially while being carried or used in a moving vehicle or on public transit. And how well do they continue to receive as batteries age, or if you use lower-voltage rechargeable nickel-cadmium cells instead of alkaline or zinc cells? In short, general comments and impressions from anyone who has any of these toys would be welcomed. Are these things just gimmicks, that you buy or get as a gift, but which end up in a drawer and unused after a few months? Or are they worthwhile and usable appliances? (Please post instead of mailing; mail at my home site has been broken for some time.) Will Martin UUCP/USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin or ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA
wan@gatech.CSNET (Peter N. Wan) (11/05/85)
In article <2661@brl-tgr.ARPA> wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) writes: >I'd appreciate seeing recommendations or comments on tiny or pocketable >TVs. Especially worthwhile would be comments on reliability (these >things are likely to get dropped, after all) and battery life (though >all have the capability of using external AC power supplies, their >purpose is to be easily transported, so I would expect them to be run on >batteries most of the time). I have a Panasonic TV/AM/FM Stereo unit (Travelvision model TR-1020P). I selected it after lengthy evaluation of many units, including the Sony Watchmans and Emerson portables. In all cases that I observed with both units side by side, the Panasonic usually had better quality than did the Sony, with both tuned to the same station. The Panasonic picture was less grainy (both units were picture tube type units). The Emerson unit (also with AM/FM radio, but maybe not stereo FM) was the most bulky; although the Panasonic unit is not pocketable, it was small enough for my purposes (it measures 1 9/16 X 4 3/16 X 6 11/16"). I looked at the LCD B/W and color units, but I didn't consider their picture quality good enough to invest in at this time. Among the LCD TVs that I evaluated were the Citizen and Casio units. One unit that I didn't get to see, but wanted to, is the Sinclair unit. It is probably smaller than the one that I have, but I couldn't find one here in Atlanta. I carry my Panasonic in my briefcase. The briefcase sits on the back seat of my Camaro, and has been known to be thrown against the back of my driver's seat when I make sudden stops in Atlanta traffic. So far, I have not noticed any degradation of performance in the receiver after such impacts (the picture is still clear). The unit seems to be sturdily made, and can probably handle a moderate amount of abuse (the case is made of plastic). The unit can run off of 4 AA batteries, or it can run off of the included rechargable NICAD pack. The NICADs are rated at 2 hours of operation for the television and about 8 hours for the radio. An AC converter/recharger is included, so that you can run the unit at home without draining the batteries. You also get a 12V car adaptor to run the unit in your car. The reception seems to be okay inside of my car. >Also, most would never be hooked up to >outside or large antennae, so their sensitivity and stability when using >their own whip aerials is most important, especially while being carried >or used in a moving vehicle or on public transit. The television and radio reception is very good using the built-in television and AM antennas. I have not needed to attach external signal feeds to get an acceptable picture. I do have problems inside buildings with heavy steel superstructures (like my office building, alas). The Sony unit even has a video input (maybe from a VCR?). >And how well do they continue >to receive as batteries age, or if you use lower-voltage rechargeable >nickel-cadmium cells instead of alkaline or zinc cells? After 2 hours, the picture gradually fades, as if you have the unit tuned improperly. After a few more minutes, the picture and sound go out completely. Time to recharge the batteries at this point. I haven't had the unit long enough to tell you what happens after it has gone through a few charge/discharge cycles. I suspect that alkaline cells would give me a little longer viewing time, but I prefer the convenience of the NICADs. Right now, the NICADs seem to be giving 2 hour performances pretty consistently (average of 8 hours of viewing a week). >In short, general comments and impressions from anyone who has any of >these toys would be welcomed. Are these things just gimmicks, that you >buy or get as a gift, but which end up in a drawer and unused after a >few months? Or are they worthwhile and usable appliances? The screen on my set is 1.5" measured diagonally. Reading baseball scores is somewhat difficult, as is reading the credits on a movie. Attaching the included magnifying lens (1.3X) helps a little, but still not enough to read fine text. I use my set to catch up on the evening news, get special weather reports, etc. I find that it performs acceptably for such use. I don't think that I would use it at home very much, since the small screen is hard to watch for a long time. My unit has stereo headphones for private TV and radio listening. It has recessed controls for vertical hold and horizontal adjustment; I guess these don't vary much on this type of set. My set has both contrast and brightness controls, while the Sony Watchman had only one of those (I forget which one it doesn't have). I have had excellent luck with Panasonic products (tape recorders and radios), and expect the same with this unit. List price of this unit is $220; a catalog showroom should be able to sell it for $179. -- Peter N Wan UUCP : ...!{akgua,allegra,ihnp4,rlgvax,ut-ngp,ut-sally}!gatech!wan ARPA : Wan%GaTech.CSNet@CSNet-Relay.Arpa CSNET : Wan@GaTech