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Question: Best TV type for tailgating?

GlassHalfFull

GlassHalfFull

Hall of Fame
Hey, we are looking at getting a TV for the tailgate this year. The plan is to build a box to hold it, what kind of tv hold up well to being moved alot?

Led, lcd, plasma?? none of the above?
 
I would stay away from plasma for any outdoor application. Plasma screens tend to have a higher reflectivity than LCD, for instance. The reflections can really degrade the image quality.

I actually have three plasmas, and no other type of TV in my house, so it's not that I dislike them. I actually prefer them, but the performance in bright ambient light is not good at all.

We just moved into a new house, and the viewing quality of the TV in my living room is suffering because there is so much sunlight in the room. I'm thinking of putting an LCD in there instead.
 
GlassHalfFull said:
Hey, we are looking at getting a TV for the tailgate this year. The plan is to build a box to hold it, what kind of tv hold up well to being moved alot?

Led, lcd, plasma?? none of the above?
Click to expand...

Going to bring a Dish? SlingBox from a laptop?

LED is probably slightly more durable than an LCD, but really depends how much you're willing to spend (and keeping in mind this TV will likely have an accident at some point).

The reason I ask about your video source is because people don't realize how many HD TV's don't have built in tuners. That means it can't get over the air TV, it is like a computer monitor. Just because something is in the tv aisle doesn't mean it has tuner these days because everyone has satellite or cable. So if you're going to watch the networks over the air make sure it has an HD tuner.
 
LED TVs are just LCD panels with LEDs as a light source. No difference beyond that except thickness.
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
Going to bring a Dish? SlingBox from a laptop?

LED is probably slightly more durable than an LCD, but really depends how much you're willing to spend (and keeping in mind this TV will likely have an accident at some point).

The reason I ask about your video source is because people don't realize how many HD TV's don't have built in tuners. That means it can't get over the air TV, it is like a computer monitor. Just because something is in the tv aisle doesn't mean it has tuner these days because everyone has satellite or cable. So if you're going to watch the networks over the air make sure it has an HD tuner.
Click to expand...

The plan is slingbox using a tablet, since there won't be wireless in the parking lot. I have my doubts about how well that will work.

There is an HD antenna we can get, but that will limit us to non cable channels.

A dish would be best, I wonder if any blue crew types have one.

We bought a LCD tv, a quick google search said they show better than an LED in sunlight. I'll have to check about the tuner.
 
I would definitely go LCD over plasma for the reasons mentioned above as well as weight. You don't want a have ass TV to move around if you're going to be bringing it to tailgates. I'd go LCD over LED for cost factor.
 
GlassHalfFull said:
The plan is slingbox using a tablet, since there won't be wireless in the parking lot. I have my doubts about how well that will work.

There is an HD antenna we can get, but that will limit us to non cable channels.

A dish would be best, I wonder if any blue crew types have one.

We bought a LCD tv, a quick google search said they show better than an LED in sunlight. I'll have to check about the tuner.
Click to expand...

If the Slingbox plan doesn't work out, don't buy an HD antenna. First take an old AM/FM coaxial antenna and try that. See how strong of a signal you get.

I wish I could find photo of one, they usually come with stereo receivers.
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
If the Slingbox plan doesn't work out, don't buy an HD antenna. First take an old AM/FM coaxial antenna and try that. See how strong of a signal you get.

I wish I could find photo of one, they usually come with stereo receivers.
Click to expand...

Do you see the antenna TXDavid brought for the playoff game? It was a true work of art. If worse comes to worse, we can use that. It gave a very strong signal.
 
GlassHalfFull said:
Do you see the antenna TXDavid brought for the playoff game? It was a true work of art. If worse comes to worse, we can use that. It gave a very strong signal.
Click to expand...

I was trying to make one for this year with Texan Logo'd reflectors to make it stronger. Haven't had the time lately.

If you're interested in how I made it, I used a format similar to the plans on this website (they're free, just print them out).

http://www.tvantennaplans.com/
 
I don't know what kind of service you use, but AT&T can barely get a phone call through to my iPhone once the crowd starts filling up the parking lots. My incoming calls often go straight to voice mail. I usually drop my phone down from 3G to Edge network when I'm at the game. Phone calls go through much better on Edge than the over crowded 3G.

I don't see a laptop/tablet being able to handle streaming video in that environment, but your mileage may vary.

Rabbit ears have always worked just fine for us back in the old days before tailgating passes when we had lots of friends hanging out in the parking lot watching the games on TV. We've done the portable dish route with someone's home satellite receiver on occasion when we wanted ESPN or NFL Ticket. Usually not worth the hassle though unless there's a specific late game you want to watch that isn't being broadcast locally.

bpe3
 
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