Permanent In Caravan PC

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The usb port on our current telly is stuffed (though TV works fine) and we play a lot of movies off an external usb drive.

I was thinking of building a permanent on-board PC to handle Movies and music and TV,,
The Plantronics 2W speakers have always been ****, and the its resolution is stuck in the nineties,,

as it happens I have a near new LG 32mp58hq available [bigwhistle] which has a 19v (around 3a?) input

so all I'd have to power off my inverter is the PSU.

Any suggestions on a OS for a media player/TV contraption?
anyone bought a PCI-e TV card recently?

[Homestar]

Haven't bought a tv card for a pc for about 15 years....

But, have contemplated a pc for the van. Been thinking of a NUC or other small form factor units. There are cheapy units out there, but I'd probably spring for something decent.

Not sure on what to do re the telly there though, I'm looking for other functionallity.

Edit - you can actually buy a tv card for a NUC - what do you know? Whole unit ends up tiny and still packs a decent punch. Can easy put it nearly anywhere then.

[Mick_Marsh]

Get a TV and use it as a monitor.

[DeanoH]

.................... as it happens I have a near new LG 32mp58hq available [bigwhistle] which has a 19v (around 3a?) input

so all I'd have to power off my inverter is the PSU.



Plenty of 12v dc to 19v dc laptop power supply bricks out there Pedro.

Deano :)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Get a TV and use it as a monitor.

if I was just going to buy a TV I'd buy a replacement 12V one and forget about the PC[bigrolf]


NUC's,,, Hmm..

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Intel BOXNUC7I3BNK 7th Gen Core i3 NUC Barebone Kit [BOXNUC7I3BNK] : PC Case Gear (https://www.pccasegear.com/products/37915/intel-boxnuc7i3bnk-7th-gen-core-i3-nuc-barebone-kit)

does this read like it needs ram?

well whadyaknow,,
19V input...
better and better.

[Homestar]

To me it reads like it needs RAM and storage - and a TV card...

The complete ready to roll units are more pricey - Intel NUC 7 Home Core i3 Mini PC with Windows 10 [BOXNUC7i3BNHXF] : PC Case Gear (https://www.pccasegear.com/products/40844/intel-nuc-7-home-core-i3-mini-pc-with-windows-10/)

It is cheaper to buy the bits and screw it together yourself though.

[Homestar]

TV card lid for NUC - showing out of stock everywhere I look though - Intel NUC LID with WinTV-HVR-955Q TV Tuner by GORITE (http://www.gorite.com/intel-nuc-lid-with-wintv-hvr-955q-tv-tuner)

Not sure if that unit works here either, but there are small USB style TV tuners which you could either plug in, or pull apart abd fit inside the NUC's case with some mods if you wanted to keep the form factor intact on the unit.

I bet something like this - RTL-SDR RTL2382U 0.5 PPM TCXO Software Defined Radio Scanner USB Dongle AC1286 4894663410421 | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RTL-SDR-RTL2382U-0-5-PPM-TCXO-Software-Defined-Radio-Scanner-USB-Dongle-AC1286/232743955173?epid=9018416429&hash=item36309eeae5:g:1ZQAAOSwQTVa3aGG) - could be made to fit inside with a few mods. 👍

[DeanoH]

Hi Pedro,
For a plan b how about getting a fetch TV mini set top box (about 100mm X 100mm X 25mm) and runs off 12 v dc :) Connect it to the HDMI port on your monitor (powered from the previously mentioned laptop power brick) and with its remote control you'll have full control from the comfort of your caravan armchair not only to all DTV stations but to internet TV, catchup TV, Netflix etc from its WiFi connection back to your 'hot spot' enabled smartphone (or park outside a Maccas) :) :). Connect your NUC or whatever to the monitor D sub for other internet/computer access. A mini wireless keyboard/trackball completes the system for the tech savvy armchair warrior.

A tick in every box :)

Deano :)

[trout1105]

As you can get flat screen TV's now for practically peanuts why not just get another TV and run the audio through the caravan stereo if you want better sound?

[AK83]

Similarly to Deano's reply, what about an Android TV box?
I used to have a Strong(branded) Android box, for years prior to getting a smart TV.
I think it's basically an all in one unit for 'ya.
I found the box from my old Strong unit, but can't find the actual unit or power brick for it to check it's actual power requirements.
But they use basically no power(something like 8w max), so the power requirements into the box could only be something like 5v or something(maybe 12v).

Not exactly a PC, they're basically a tablet, with multiple output types, include TV output.

Depending on your actual PC/software requirements, if a tablet/smartphone is useful to you as a PC .. then could be a option.

If I could find my actual unit, you can have it(long since disconnected now).

So all you then need is an appropriate screen.

Search ebay(or your fave website) for android TV box. They're usually about $100-ish.

[incisor]

be cheaper to get a Kogan smart tv wouldnt it?

[Homestar]

be cheaper to get a Kogan smart tv wouldnt it?

Probably, not sure about Pedro, but I'm looking at one for multiple reasons for both home and caravan use and if I buy a NUC, I can cover off everything I need to do in both areas. [smilebigeye]