Avtex TV - Shiny Screen?

[wildebus]

I am tempted to treat myself to an Avtex L219DRS-PRO TV as an upgrade to the 19" Cello I have currently. I like some of the key features on this and think it will be very nice. Except ......

Something I like with the Cello is that the screen is very non-reflective. I really don't like glossy surfaces!
And when I was having a browse to check prices I came across an eBay listing with some photos.

This is one of the pictures - the screen looks incredibly reflective. It could be a mirror!


Any people with an Avtex (and ideally this model) - are the screens as reflective as this photo suggests? when there is a picture what kind of reflection is there? general opinion about this?

Just looked again and there is this picture of it playing a DVD ...


just seems an incredibly reflective screen?

 

[Campervanannie]

My 16” Avtex is not reflective at all I love mine for ease of tuning and can watch it at any angle unlike some TVs

 

[RichardHelen262]

I have the same model and have never noticed the screen to be reflective, and as Annie says can be viewed from any angle.
I also used to have the cello and whilst was quite good the viewing angle was terrible compared to the avtex

 

[wildebus]

I have the same model and have never noticed the screen to be reflective, and as Annie says can be viewed from any angle.
I also used to have the cello and whilst was quite good the viewing angle was terrible compared to the avtex

I looked at the eBay listing again and I think looking at the back it might be a slightly different model. Another listing for the 21" pro shows a much more 'matt' screen.

So the acid test ... You have this model. Would you buy it again or another one? There is the Pro model and another 21" one that has a different mix of features (most obvious being instead of ability to record it has wi-fi and built-in catch up apps such as IPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, etc.)

 

[xsilvergs]

We have an Avtex which is about 2 years old, not sure what model as the label is covered by the mounting bracket.

If it has one fault which I believe Cello handles better is video file formats. Avtex will regularly fail to play back content recorded from sources like a PC.

For instance, I record iPlayer video and although it is in .mp4 format it won't play from USB stick. It will play on a PC and it will play on a Cello TV. This is probably due to a slightly corrupted file but only an issue on an Avtex.

I realise this will not be a problem to most users but would make ME think twice if considering a replacement.

I now store recorded media on an RPi which serves all media using minidlna. An Amazon Firestick then plays video media to the Avtex.

Other than that Avtex seem well made and are in South Wales IRC. When I initially had an issue I was very impressed with the help I received on the phone. I was in the area and said I'd call in and show them and what would they do. The reply was "Fix It". Couldn't ask more.

There wasn't a problem actually.

 

[St3v3]

Mine. A pro, with the DVD player



That's quite a bright light coming through the window.

Does the eBay one have a screen protector or something?

 

[wildebus]

Avtex may be HQed in Wales but sadly like most things their products are actually made in China

The "connected" model has appeal as it has the catchup Apps, but you cannot install your own, so stuff like Amazon Video you can't add on. Which means using a Firestick, and if you are using one of those, that will have the catchup apps anyway (I like the concept of "Smart" TVs but the implementation seems flawed. Got 2 Samsung Smart TVs, but use plug in FIresticks and Now TV sticks with them as the apps side is too rubbish)

Mine. A pro, with the DVD player

View attachment 59432

That's quite a bright light coming through the window.

Does the eBay one have a screen protector or something?

Thanks Steve. That is the kind of reflectivity I would have expected and be happy with. the one on eBay was way too shiny. It turned out to not be a 219 Pro but a 216 though.
The last number is a series number, so the 219 Pro is a series 9, the 216 is a series 6. Reading reviews, Avtex have used both Reflective and Non-Reflective screens, but I am not sure which way they went on newer kit?

 

[wildebus]

Decision made ....
ordered the 24" Pro version (checked measurements and it should be an ideal fit )

 

[xsilvergs]

@wildebus
When I spoke to Avtex in South Wales they said to call in and they would fix it while I wait, or that was how I understood it.

Isn't Cello part of another company, British by name from the past, Ferguson. Their HQ is in Scotland or 'up north' and parts made in the far East?

 

[wildebus]

@wildebus
When I spoke to Avtex in South Wales they said to call in and they would fix it while I wait, or that was how I understood it.

Isn't Cello part of another company, British by name from the past (can't remember now). Their HQ is in Scotland or 'up north' and parts made in the far East?

I would be amazed if they were not made in China.

It is just that South Wales used to have a rich history of MAKING TVs that were badged with Far Eastern (Japanese) brands and now the reverse is the case sad to say

 

[RichardHelen262]

I looked at the eBay listing again and I think looking at the back it might be a slightly different model. Another listing for the 21" pro shows a much more 'matt' screen.

So the acid test ... You have this model. Would you buy it again or another one? There is the Pro model and another 21" one that has a different mix of features (most obvious being instead of ability to record it has wi-fi and built-in catch up apps such as IPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, etc.)

I am on my second Avtex tv and should I ever need another it will definitely be avtex again

 

[Minisorella]

Same here Richard. In fact my first, 10-year old one is still working perfect at home in a bedroom. I changed the one in the van a couple of years back for a 2nd hand offer because I wanted a bigger screen. I'd definitely stick with Avtex. The sound is better than many other models too. I must confess, I have had issues like Xsilvergs when trying to play stuff from a hard drive or data stick... it can be picky but I don't use that feature often, so isn't a big issue.

 

[wildebus]

I know the Avtex are considerably more expensive but it sounds like people like them and stick with them

Not expecting the compatibility issues myself as have a different plan on how to use the setup

 

[nabsim]

Too late now you have ordered but was going to say I wouldn’t go for a motorhome/caravan tv again. I got a Sharp 24” smart tv for under £200 and apart from the fact my Cello had rechargeable battery which this doesn’t the Sharp beats it in all areas.
There is definite differences in Smart tv’s, if you get a Freeview Plus version you can’t watch live programs on the catch up apps from what I have seen across a few. If you just have Freeview the ones I have seen allow you to watch live on the catch-up apps.
The Sharp is a Freeview plus so like you I use a Fire tv stick in the back if I want to watch live (mainly when I missed the start of F1 on channel 4)

Can’t remember who posted but Cello is part of Ferguson or other way round, same company anyway and British although components at the very least will be from China as will every other tv today I think. Well if you are into mega bucks or custom gear you may well get something that isn’t and probably not as good lol

 

[PeteS]

Again too late to the party but I have just replaced my Avtex with a Sniper Tv, current draw is much lower and funnily enough the menu structure/interface is identical, its also much cheaper.
Sound is definitely better, with greater volume plus it has bluetooth built in for sound bars or connecting to van radio.
For anyone else looking check out Sniper tvs.

 

[wildebus]

I saw the Sniper in the "Compare with other items" type images on Amazon and they looked quite good.
I just fancied trying out what is regarded as the "#1 Brand" as a treat and the specs were right (2 x HDMI was a must and is limited to just a few models).

 

[wildebus]

TV arrived this afternoon.

Took off the Cello and swapped the VESA mount onto the Avtex.

The wall mount does allow the TV to come out when driving so need to find a fix for that (I was using a elastic rope around the screen but looks a bit silly so want a neat option). Might end up changing the mount but if not probably move the wall support around an inch to the right to get the TV centralised when 'parked' (touch of the OCDs there)

The key thing .... it is NOT a shiny screen! nice and matt and actually virtually reflection free (the camera in the shot above picked up light reflections that the eye (my eye anyway) did not .

Got my sources sorted out as well ...
Freeview



Amazon Firestick


Sky

The Screen resolution is detected correct;y but is slightly overscanned. And not sure if that is fixable? for the purpose I have the PC for it is not that crucial but would be nice to be right (the Cello with the HD-Ready resolution was right)

Sound seems to be a common comment and when I looked at the speakers they did seem less than ideal being small and pointing backwards. the sound though didn't seem bad at all so not going to splash out on a Soundbar yet.
The abiluty to pause live Broadcast TV is nice (if not that logical in how it is done - the "pause" button does not pause the TV) and I do like that the TV works a bit like a set-top box as far as the ability to schedule and record programs when left in standby (of course need to be parked up with TV retuned to local transmitter).

 

[xsilvergs]

I've never tried to pause live TV, can you explain how please?

 

[wildebus]

I've never tried to pause live TV, can you explain how please?

Firstly, you need to have the model that had the feature to record TV. And assuming that, you need to be able to actually Record as well (i.e. FAT32 Formatted Memory Stick inserted into the right USB slot (on my new TV it is called "USB REC" I think).

So once those pre-requisites are in place ...
To pause live TV, press the Time Shift button, the programme will pause.
To continue watching press the Play button and the programme will resume.
To pause again press the Play button and the programme will pause again.
Continue using Play to resume and pause the programme as required.
To return to live TV press the Stop button.

I haven't tried this in ernest, but as you can only record one program at a time, it is quite likely that the ability to pause live TV is dependant on not recording another program at that time.
Because at home, we watch TV via the Sky Box (can't use use Freeview as reception rubbish), the ability to pause TV is just always there, so to not have it on a TV would be hard to get used to again.
It is a shame that to resume AND pause they couldn't use the Play/Pause button which is a pretty universal way to, well, play and pause programmes and videos.

UPDATE:
It is a bit more logical then I thought from their description
You use the Time Shift button to instigate the ability to pause a program you are watching. And once that is done, the Play/Pause button is used to resume AND pause the programme in the way you would expect (I've edited Avtexs guide I copied above with some extra info which I think makes more sense)

 

[xsilvergs]

Firstly, you need to have the model that had the feature to record TV. And assuming that, you need to be able to actually Record as well (i.e. FAT32 Formatted Memory Stick inserted into the right USB slot (on my new TV it is called "USB REC" I think).

So once those pre-requisites are in place ...
To pause live TV, press the Time Shift button, the programme will stop. To continuw watching press the Play button and the programme will resume. To retun to live TV press the Stop button.

I haven't tried this in ernest, but as you can only record one program at a time, it is quite likely that the ability to pause live TV is dependant on not recording another program at that time.
Because at home, we watch TV via the Sky Box (can't use Freeview as reception rubbish), the ability to pause TV is just always there, so to not have it on a TV would be hard to get used to again.
It is a shame that to resume AND pause they couldn't use the Play/Pause button which is a pretty universal way to, well, play and pause programmes and videos.

That works thanks for info.