New portable TVs are hot sellers during DTV transition

The Haier HLT71 7-Inch LCD TV is currently the bestselling TV on Amazon.

(Credit: Haier)

As most people are by now aware, on June 12, full-power broadcast TV stations in the U.S. will stop broadcasting their analog TV signals and will only broadcast TV signals digitally. Obviously, that impacts people who have older TVs and still use antennas to get a TV signal at home. But what's not talked about as much is the thousands of portable TVs that will stop receiving signals once analog signal disappears for good. For those who rely on such sets to tune into sporting events, such as the NBA Finals, the analog switch-off requires immediate action.

It's no wonder, then, that the top two bestselling TVs on Amazon are portable TVs with digital tuners. The Haier HLT71 7-Inch Portable LCD TV sells for $105.99, while the Axion AXN-8701 7-Inch Widescreen Portable Handheld TV is $119.99. Coby's 8-inch TF-TV891 Widescreen LCD TV isn't as popular, partially because of its higher $159.98 price tag, but it still sits in the top 15.

So far we really haven't seen any digital portable TVs from tier-one manufacturers, which explains why all the top-selling portable TVs are from budget brands. We're still waiting for Sony's waterproof Bravia XDV-W600 to show up. (The 4-incher turned up in blogs late last year, but hasn't been heard from since.)

Anybody looking for a new portable TV? (Let's hope that all the old ones don't end up in landfills.) As always, feel free to comment.

The waterproof Sony XDV-W600 may be the future of portable TVs--but we're still waiting for it.

(Credit: Sony)

[zmnatz]

I got one of these portable analog TVs but i probably stopped using it 4 or so years ago when wifi started showing up everywhere. At that point slingbox worked a bit better.

[make_or_break]

Do people really, REALLY have to have their boob tube 24/7? (oops, I forgot;...C...B...S....)

[Brian]

I don't own a Television set.
Instead, I own computers.

[isting]

A television is a required tool for the sports fan. Computers aren't very useful in a stadium parking lot.

[mraif]

What people who do not live in storm-plagued areas with tornado and hurricane possibilites do not know is the value of inexpensive, portable televisions during power outages from storms. And to add insult to injury, the digital transisiton also means that radio simulcast of TV stations is going bye-bye, so we can't rely on that either in case of emergencies.

And trust me, after living in Florida thru hurricanes (the big three in 2004 that literally made tracked as an asterisk in Central Florida) and a tornado that brushed our house a couple of years ago and destroyed homes and a decades old church, I speak from experience.

[acarswell]

Don't get one for your kids to watch while in your car. I read a disclaimer that these won't work while in motion. I'm glad the manufacturer was honest.

[molotov]

Its not a problem if you drive under 30mph. Its a good way to slow people down; put in a TV in their car.

[iconav]

I bought an LCD TV from New Image digital. It works great!

[Albert J. Zuniga]

I purchase a 7" portable, the name I can't remember, at cvs/pharmacy for $117.00. It was ok except for one thing. every time I moved from room to room or went outside, I had to reset the channels.
the signal wasn't that great, so I returned it. hoping that there will be improvements to these portabes in the near future. I feel really bummed about my useless portables that can't be converted (3)
Is it possible to use alligator clips from the converter box to the antenae of the portables? I guess i'm just wishing.

[Philv1968]

I had a portable tv in my car for about 5 years. After the switch, i could still get a few channels, but i wasn't satisfied. I bought a new tv last week from LCDDIGITAL with a digital tuner for about $275.00. It work great but there's only one problem... as soon as the car moves, it loses the signal until you stop again! Is this a crappy tv or is there something i can do/buy to correct this issue.
Phil