I got a bright idea this morning

[PopcornNMore]

I got a bright idea this morning…

Several weeks ago I saw on the Satellite Guys an image of a someone adjusting their dish outside using one of those portable DVD players with a 7 to 10” LCD screen. I then looked into them and discovered that they have a video and audio input and this person was using it as a small monitor for outside instead of dragging out a bulky TV.

I then started seeing them on Ebay going for less than $10 sometimes when the device doesn’t read the DVD. Even if the device won’t read DVD’s the LCD screen could still be used as a monitor for to adjust dishes. It could also be used to test the video outputs on laserdisc players, CED disc players, satellite receivers, DVD players, TIVO’s, etc.

Then I started thinking this morning. If people like using these to adjust dishes what if the device contained a built-in satellite receiver instead of a DVD player? WOW I believe I just came up with a fantastic product. It could also contain a digital OTA tuner for OTA broadcasts. A person could use it on a desk to view OTA and satellite broadcasts and it could also be used to easily adjust satellite dishes in one handy unit. No more beeping to find a signal or carrying a satellite receiver and TV out to the dish.

Would people be interested in such a product?

 

[Lak7]

Check this out....
Trimax SM2500, Trimax SM2200 Digital Satellite Meters

 

[qwert1515]

I was looking for that link Lak7, the only problem with that is that they are expensive ~ $500. (and lack OTA abilities )

 

[Lak7]

Very expensive.
Portable DVD, Traxis, and Duct Tape much more reasonable.

 

[brotherhood]

what i use is a broken 10in dvd player with av in

 

[Jim S.]

In four more months there should be literally tons of free portable TVs available...

 

[linuxman]

I use the mini-dvd player with the 7" wide-screen LCD monitor, and would be interested in a blindscanning receiver LCD combo unit as long as it had a very sensitive tuner.

Having them separated allows you to choose the receiver you want.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Check this out....
Trimax SM2500, Trimax SM2200 Digital Satellite Meters

Yes, but they are expensive and would require additional knowledge on how to use them. This device with built-in satellite receiver would probably cost under $100.

 

[PopcornNMore]

In four more months there should be literally tons of free portable TVs available...

Yes, but with analog tuners. Plus the screen size is much smaller.

 

[PopcornNMore]

I use the mini-dvd player with the 7" wide-screen LCD monitor, and would be interested in a blindscanning receiver LCD combo unit as long as it had a very sensitive tuner.

Having them separated allows you to choose the receiver you want.

It must have been your picture I saw a few weeks ago. You do have a good point about using whatever receiver you want, but this requires additional cables and power plug.

 

[Cadsulfide]

I got a bright idea this morning…

Several weeks ago I saw on the Satellite Guys an image of a someone adjusting their dish outside using one of those portable DVD players with a 7 to 10” LCD screen. I then looked into them and discovered that they have a video and audio input and this person was using it as a small monitor for outside instead of dragging out a bulky TV.

I then started seeing them on Ebay going for less than $10 sometimes when the device doesn’t read the DVD. Even if the device won’t read DVD’s the LCD screen could still be used as a monitor for to adjust dishes. It could also be used to test the video outputs on laserdisc players, CED disc players, satellite receivers, DVD players, TIVO’s, etc.

Then I started thinking this morning. If people like using these to adjust dishes what if the device contained a built-in satellite receiver instead of a DVD player? WOW I believe I just came up with a fantastic product. It could also contain a digital OTA tuner for OTA broadcasts. A person could use it on a desk to view OTA and satellite broadcasts and it could also be used to easily adjust satellite dishes in one handy unit. No more beeping to find a signal or carrying a satellite receiver and TV out to the dish.

Would people be interested in such a product?

Great DIY Idea! you could diplex the video, or use it as an excuse to run another cable for possible future expansion....... As for producing a commercial product, the waters are full of sharks.

 

[Anole]

how...big...is...it...?

I have a 7" LCD player/screen combo.
It hangs on the rear of a car seat headrest, and also has a slave 7" screen for the other rear passenger.
Both units can be run independently, as they have video/audio inputs, speakers, and even AC power supplies.
This one came from Radio Shack, and cost around $179 originally.
Now obsolete, and the DVD player broken, I got it from my local store last month for a very modest price.

Was wondering about running the spare display off a digital TV converter box, for watching in bed.
However, I honestly think a 7" display is a bit small.
Desktop TV? It would be amusing.
May have to give it a try. - :up

But since most new FTA receivers with blind scan are over $100, and since most 7 - 10 inch LCD-based products (I like the picture frames) go for over $100, it seems unlikely anyone would bring to market a low-volume FTA/LCD for under $250.
Ask Sadoun or SatelliteAV how such a product would sell.
Maybe they know the market and customer base well enough to comment.

Would anyone take it camping? TV in your tent?
What does RV1pop think about this for his RVing?

While I don't care for bungee cords nor duct tape, I might rig up a $3 laptop case to carry my receiver and LCD outside for tune-ups.
That would keep all the cables contained.
Anyone got any design ideas for such a stitch-up? -

 

[SatelliteAV]

Two years ago we had developed a prototype of this type of combo. We originally were designing it as a satellite meter, but discarded the project after the cost increased as we added support for S2, DirecTV and Starchoice. We did not wish to distribute an installation meter which supported only a single format that is in declined implementation.

We believe that this small device would have a very limited market. Other than having a portable device for performing an installation, what are the practical uses of a corded device with a 8" screen? Adding flash or a drive for recording and portable use would increase the market and also the cost. But then, why not just use VideoReDo or similar software transfer programming of of a DVR then watch them on a PMP? Streaming to portable devices continues to grow and instant access to entertainment vs stored files seems to be the predominant direction of development.

Traditionally, combo Satellite Tuner/Display units have not sold well. In Europe, units are available that incorporate electronics and a port/card solution to allow reception from DVBS / DVBT, cable or internet entertainment options. They tend to have many interoperability issues and retailer tend to avoid carrying them due to the increased post sale support issues .....

Reception devices tend to incorporate many different transmission and modulation schemes (THANK YOU FCC) which also have tended to require frequent upgrades to capture the next great flavor of transmission. Displays tend not to develop as rapidly (I.E. the entertainment console with the 8 track player at your relatives home that is still being used daily and now probably has a ATSC converter attached). Combo units tend to continue to live on as viewing devices long after the reception or playout portion becomes obsolete or malfunctions.

Great idea.... Is there a major market outside of the avid satellite hobbyist niche?

 

[Larobpra]

I just put the TV and receiver by the kitchen window, climb the stepladder to the woodshed roof and adjust the dish. The remote even works through the glass! Currently aimed at G18 and also picking up most of the PBS on AMC21. I need something to decode the sound for PBS though.

 

[Anole]

I just put the TV and receiver by the kitchen window,
... The remote even works through the glass!

:up - That's a two-thumb's-up story, if I ever heard one! - :up

 

[melgarga]

.......................Reception devices tend to incorporate many different transmission and modulation schemes (THANK YOU FCC) which also have tended to require frequent upgrades to capture the next great flavor of transmission. Displays tend not to develop as rapidly (I.E. the entertainment console with the 8 track player at your relatives home that is still being used daily and now probably has a ATSC converter attached). Combo units tend to continue to live on as viewing devices long after the reception or playout portion becomes obsolete or malfunctions.

Great idea.... Is there a major market outside of the avid satellite hobbyist niche?

Exactly. I am glad I am not the only one displeased with the FCC's ineptitude.
I use a 13" on a barstool with a set of 2.4 ghz A/V trancievers. A cheapie [failed] portable DVD player unit would be even better [batteries, no ext cord] I didnt realize the had a/v inputs on them. Now it's off to fleabay I go...........I get in BIG trouble when I forget and leave the barstool out overnite.........

 

[Anole]

Only the later model or high-end units have a video input.
My unit has one connector, then a switch to change it from an Output to an Input.
It's a stupid mini-jack.
Comes with a 4" breakout cable with mini- on one end, and three RCA jacks on the other.

The slave display is connected to the master for power, sound, remote, and video over a mini-DIN cable.
But, it has three RCA input jacks along the edge.
No outputs, 'cause it's just a display.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[Mr Tony]

what's wrong with lugging a 19" TV out

Heck for the C-Band unit that I wheel out of the garage I took an old 19" TV (click knob unit) out and put that on a microwave cart and left it there...sick of lugging the 9" TV out there

 

[SatPhreak]

A few years ago all I had was a 35" CRT and a 57"RPTV. I had to mount the dishes on the shed and turn the RPTV so I look through the window at it. Even at 40 feet the signal bar was easy to see. Now I use a small portable CRT.

 

[arcticracer]

Specan

HP 8562 Spectrum Analyzer, really helps tweak em in.