Although many people travel by camper precisely to switch off from screens, a film in the evening, the news or the weekend match is a pleasure many still want to keep. Watching television in a motorhome is easy nowadays, with several options depending on what you're after and, of course, keeping an eye on power consumption. Let's look at them.
Digital terrestrial with an aerial
To watch "traditional" television you need a television set (ideally a 12V one, which draws less) and an aerial. The options:
- Omnidirectional aerial (roof-mounted or external): picks up signal without needing to be aimed, handy for travelling around, though with shorter range.
- Directional aerial: better signal, but you need to point it towards the transmitter.
The catch with digital terrestrial: the signal depends on where you are; in remote areas or abroad, you may not pick up anything.
The satellite dish
For signal almost anywhere (including abroad, depending on the satellite), a satellite dish (manual or automatic). It gives great coverage, but it's more expensive, takes up space, and an automatic one is a significant investment. For those who travel a lot and always want TV, it can be worth it.
The modern option: streaming
More and more travellers do without an aerial and watch TV over the internet: streaming platforms, catch-up TV, YouTube. All you need is a connection (router or mobile data) and a screen (the TV itself, a tablet or a laptop). A key tip: download content when you have a good connection so you can watch it without using data or relying on coverage. More on this in internet and WiFi.
Watch your consumption
A 12V television draws little power, but if you add a router left on plus several hours of use, it all adds up. For a film night without any surprises, know your autonomy (see how much battery you need) and choose an efficient screen.
In summary
To watch TV in the camper you have digital terrestrial with an aerial (depends on coverage), satellite (near-total coverage but pricier) and internet streaming (the most flexible option, better with downloads). The step to take today: if you want the simplest and most flexible option, go for streaming with a low-consumption TV or tablet and download content when you have a good connection; that way you can watch whatever you like without depending on aerials or coverage.
