12V TVs

What You Need to Know About 12-Volt Television Sets

A 12-volt television set is a convenient option for travel and road trips. Small, compact, and portable, these television sets allow you to watch movies, play video games, and even pick up live broadcast TV while on the road. eBay is your source for all kinds of inexpensive 12v TV options.

How do you choose the right 12-volt television?

A 12-volt television set is commonly geared toward the needs of frequent travellers and campers. Here are the features you should consider when choosing a potential television set:

  • Screen size: A 12-volt television screen is typically quite compact, allowing it to fit within the small confines of an RV or vehicle. Most models range between 10 inches and 24 inches in size although some can go all the way up to 32 inches.
  • Screen resolution: The resolution describes the number of pixels built into the screen. A higher resolution television set can display more detail at once, but the actual amount of detail you can distinguish with your eye depends on the size of the screen and the distance you sit from the set. The resolution is measured by the number of horizontal pixels times the number of vertical pixels. The most common resolutions for a 12-volt set are 720p, meaning a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and 1080p, meaning 1920x1080 pixels. Panels with a resolution of 1366x768 also exist but are less commonly used.
  • Extra Features: Most 12-volt sets should have built-in speakers, a remote control, and a digital tuner. Some television sets have a DVD player or USB ports built in, so you can still enjoy plenty of entertainment options even when you are not receiving a television signal. Select models may also operate off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery instead of a power adaptor.
What are the most common types of display technologies?

Most 12-volt televisions are built with LCD technology. These sets consist of a liquid crystal layer that creates the image and a backlight that illuminates and provides brightness for the image. This backlight is usually made with LEDs. Older television sets may be built with plasma technology or even the bulkier cathode ray tube technology.

What are some beneficial features of 12-volt televisions?

Although you can operate one in your home, most 12-volt television sets are specifically designed to work with an RV, camper, or even a standard vehicle thanks to their minimal power consumption. Many 12-volt televisions are also built to withstand the rigours of a long and bumpy road trip. Select models include extra vibration resistance or additional layers of protection.