Don't buy a portable TV this year
Sorry little guy, but your days are numbered.
(Credit: Wal-Mart Stores)Editors' note: Since the publication of this story, a battery-powered DTV converter box has been released, the Winegard RCDT09A. While we'd still hold off on buying a new portable TV this year--it's better to wait for portable TVs with new digital tuners--older analog portable TVs can be used with the RCDT09A if they have a composite or RF input. For more information, read our full review of the Winegard RCDT09A.
Portable TVs can be great for camping or in case of emergency, but you're probably going to be getting ripped off if you buy one in 2008. That's because almost all portable TVs use standard analog TV signals, and those signals are going to get turned off on February 17, 2009. And even though these TVs are just about obsolete, you can still buy them at places like Target, Wal-mart Stores, and Amazon. Some of the pages have warnings about the impending DTV transition, but some of them don't.
While it is possible that someone will come out with a battery-powered DTV converter--which could work with a portable TV that has inputs--we wouldn't hold our breath. The FCC's DTV FAQ page already explicitly says, "it is not anticipated that battery powered digital-to-analog converter boxes will be produced," and we haven't heard anything from any manufacturer about making one. That means pretty much all existing portable TVs will be rendered useless, unless you're using an external device to feed it video.
So what are your options if you still want to enjoy some portable TV action after February 17th, 2009? Well, you'll need to shell out for a new portable TV with an ATSC tuner. There are only a few options, such as this Accurian 7-inch LCD and the Insigna NS-7HTV, which isn't even currently available on BestBuy.com. We do expect more portable TVs with ATSC tuners to hit the market as the DTV deadline approaches--which will help alleviate this problem--but right now you should stay away from almost all current portable TVs--or if you buy one, realize that it's going to lose most of its functionality in less than a year.
More DTV transition resources
CNET's Quick guide to the DTV transition
Don't sign up for your $40 DTV converter box coupon--yet
Which (nearly) free DTV converter box should I buy?
DTV Coupon Program
So, you expect someone who is currently buying these "obsolete" TVs to read your entry? I do not know anyone around my circle who is buying this type of product. If they do buy this product then they buy it.
You know the things that are truly a rip-off. Coffee and Organic Food. They are a huge rip-off. How can a cup of coffee cost $5. How can a bar of soap cost $10 at Organic food retailer, WH. Buying this little TV is a less of rip-off than buying coffee at SB or Organic Food at WH. Why does fruit logo computer cost average of 25% more when they hire same chinese factory workers to assemble their computer? You know that Red Campaign where they spent $100 million to raise like $10 to 20 million dollars. You know the poverty t-shirt that's being sold for $65 that only contributes 25 cents to an actual cause by U2 Bono?
The word "rip-off" the author used is a just a polemical device to draw attention and emotion that's not necessary. It is a choice of words for the drama-queens. It is a hyper usage of language.
And no, these TV wont' loose mos to the functionality within a year. These rabbit ear TVs have poor receptions. So, it won't matter. These TVs come with external input plugs. So, your whole entry is meaningless.
Not portable TVs... no one watches TV anymore.
that's what I don't understand.
You say "My point was...." and that is absolutely wrong. You had no point. You just have too much free time. Come on, going off about coffee and organic soap? Get a job.
- by bumba000 November 5, 2009 7:22 AM PST
- Well 2008 has come and long since gone. It seems that many folks are hung up still on the digital transition. The time has come again to buy <a href="http://www.12volt-travel.com/12-volt-televisions-c-684.html">portable televisions</a>.
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(20 Comments)All of these new portables have built-in digital tuners and are great for travel. Some are battery powered some are direct 12 volt dc power.