Here is an unlikely predicament - but a predicament nonetheless. You are about to brave the wild on a deep in-the-jungle camping trip. You take a tent, iron skillet, and fishing pole. But you just can’t miss an episode of CSI: Miami. What do you do?
Or a more likely scenario would be a hard day at work and, on a lunch break (hopefully you’re not watching the television during work - that would cut into your TechLore-surfing time), you want to view The Price Is Right. Only there is no TV in the lunchroom where you work (bummer). What’s the answer?
Okay, both scenarios may be a bit farfetched, but there is no doubt that we have all come across a time when a portable TV would have been handy-dandy. Right? Of course! I mean - let’s face it - we are a society practically addicted to anything entertainment! Whether it is the latest reality show or the knee-slapping funniest sitcom, we just can’t spare getting away for even a weekend (especially if there is a Bears game on!). So, what to do?
Well, for starters, get used to going without the TV. Just joking! Okay, seriously, what to do?
Decisions, Decisions...
Believe it or not, you are going to have to make a decision. There isn’t just one all grand-and-mighty go-to portable TV out there. But there are some really cool options. Here are a few:
Old-Fashioned Portable TV
Okay, this isn’t a joke. Before you make a decision, I would still add this to your list of options when you want to take a TV with you. There are some pretty nifty models out there, but hey - it’s portable - and portable means inferior in video quality. Doesn’t it? (Okay, not always, but even the LCD portable TV screens are still too small for me). And then you have to worry about bringing a clumsy and clunky mini television with you. Not ideal.
Also, you might want to consider the fact that the bunny-ears which come with the portable TV (or that you have to invent to accommodate it) won’t pick up much unless you are in the heart of Chicago or something - and even then you won’t get any spiffy cable channels like HBO or ESPN. For some, this may be an option, and it is something for all to consider, but if you are really serious about your TV viewing, a portable TV probably isn’t for you. After all, if you’re a true techie to the core, it’s simply too stinkin’ old-fashioned!
Sling Media’s Slingbox Personal Broadcaster
This might work for your camping trip into the Amazon rainforest, assuming you bring a reliable generator and have some form of remote satellite Internet access. This thing is really cool. You just hook it up to your TV or DVD player or DVR, load the software on your laptop or your mobile phone (if supported, and most smartphones are), and you’re good to go.
There are some things for you to consider, however. First, you have to have the right equipment. Not all versions of the Slingbox work with a high-def signal. So if you want to hook it up to your high-def set top box, make sure you have a Slingbox SOLO or PRO. But let's face it. If you're really in the Amazon watching your TV on your Symbian mobile phone, does it have to be high-def to make you happy? If so, perhaps you should examine your expectations of other things in life too. Second, the video quality on the SlingPlayer varies with your connection bandwidth. It's pretty sweet technology, but the fact is that if you're in a low-bandwidth area, you get a lower-quality signal. Lastly, the interface for SlingPlayer is a bit clunky, because it emulates your remote control and works on two-way communication across your network connection to your TV. So, again, a slow connection can give you a bit of a headache controlling your TV remotely as well as watching it. But it's a small price to pay for anywhere-you-are-TV.
Other than that, the idea is pretty cool. You can watch your personal TV anywhere...as long as you have Internet access or a mobile phone that supports SlingPlayer Mobile. Just make sure you communicate with those back home, because if they want to watch something else, they’re in control.
More information about the Slingbox
SanDisk’s Sansa Take TV
Okay. Here’s something you perhaps have not thought about, but it is nonetheless an option. Say you have a few file downloads on your laptop of episodes of Prison Break or something, and you are at grandma’s house and she has a hot and sexy 52" flatscreen TV (rockin’ grandma!). You're just dying to watch a few Prison Break episodes on that sexy piece of glass and silicon on the wall. What do you do?
Well, with the brand new Sansa TakeTV device, you can plug it into your laptop’s USB port (you did bring your laptop, right?) and drop the files in. Then, plug the nifty and tiny TakeTV device into a portable A/V dock which came with your new toy and - voila - Prison Break it is! Nifty choice if you have access to a kickin’ TV. And a lot easier and of higher video and audio quality than if you straight plugged your laptop to the TV. Nifty indeed.
There are a few cons, however. For one, TakeTV doesn't support surround sound. This is a bit of a downer for those (like me) who like the audio mixes. Also, TakeTV doesn't support HD content. But the video quality is nonetheless viewable. If you can get past these few negatives, SanDisk's TakeTV may be for you.
More information about the SanDisk's Sansa line | Read Review on SansaCommunity.com
Miglia’s TV Micro
We have covered various means to watch TV portably, but we haven’t touched on Macs yet. And it would be a sin to keep it at that. So, here we go. Leave it to Miglia to save the day. TV Micro is comparable to Take TV in that it is small (like a slightly-oversized USB jump drive) and that you can use it to transfer video files. Only, with the TV Micro, you are viewing and recording movies and shows straight from your antenna or cable cord to your iMac. Wow.
You can record your favorite TV shows, DVDs, even VHS tapes. But you will want to make sure you have a pretty substandard and able Mac system. This isn’t for the weak-of-heart Apple. And, as almost always, the video quality isn’t the best, because it is on a 17" computer screen. Additionally, the remote is a bit large for what is necessary - a bit too bulky. And Panther users will be disappointed - TVMicro doesn't support it. The lack of an S-video input is a bit of a negative also.
All in all, however, Miglia's TVMicro works well for the price you pay. Its user-friendliness and portability are pluses, as is the fact that it gives you the option to record antenna or cable television programs with ease.
More information about the Migli.com | Read Review on MacWorld
Conclusion of the Matter
So, I hope I have helped broaden your portable TV horizons. There are a few other options out there, and the list is ever growing as technology improves. If you have any ideas or thoughts, feel free to leave a line in the comments section. Other than that, happy being-on-vacation-away-from-home and enjoying your portable TV!
