Alba TVD 3455
Price £89.99
Type Portable TV/DVD-combi
Screen size 14in (36cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 11 kg
Size 39 x 39 x 37cm (HxDxW)
Tel 0870 873 0077
Website www.albaplc.com
Comments This nicely finished set has one of the best carrying handles in the test and is very stable when being lifted, though there is no cord storage. On the back you'll find a SCART socket, and there are AV sockets on the front and rear. The picture was clear, if a little over-rich, and the sound from the two speakers was acceptable. The easy to use on-screen menu was marred by a remote control crowded with small buttons and almost illegible text – the buttons on the set are better. The set has Teletext, 100 channels, assorted timers and a DVD player.
Verdict Easy to carry and decent performance. Great value. Overall score 9/10

*** BEST BUDGET BUY ***

Beko 14272TDS
Price £49.99
Type Portable TV
Screen size 14in (36cm) diagonal
Teletext No
SCART/AV sockets Yes/No
Weight 9.1 kg
Size 34 x 39 x 36cm (HxDxW)
Tel 01923 818121
Website www.beko.co.uk
Comments The cheapest set tested, and it shows. The handles are too narrow and the cord storage crude. There's a SCART socket, but no AV or headphone socket, and no Teletext. The picture and sound are adequate, but the on-screen menu is poor and the remote control buttons are too small. The biggest negative is its 90cm telescopic aerial - impractical inside a 'van.
Verdict A decent budget-priced set, of limited use in a motorhome, due to its long aerial. Overall score 3/10

Bush LCD2 LCD15TV
Price £299.99
Type LCD flat-screen TV
Screen size 15.1in (38cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 5.6 kg
Size 48 x 22 (base) x 48cm (HxDxW)
Tel 0870 873 0079
Website www.bushdigital.co.uk
Comments This LCD's picture is better than any conventional TV, but the NICAM stereo sound is tinny and lacks depth. It has a great on-screen menu, but the master controls on the top of the set are difficult to access. There are SCART and AV sockets, Teletext, timer, and lock, but no handle or cord storage. It has a multi-system tuner and can be connected to a PC.
Verdict Great picture and tuner, but disappointing sound quality. Overall score 7/10

Akura AO DV151 R-S
Price £89.99
Type Portable TV/DVD-combi
Screen size 14in (36cm) diagonal
Teletext No
SCART/AV sockets Yes, two/Yes
Weight 11.4 kg
Size 37 x 39 x 36cm (HxDxW)
Tel 01422 203676
Website www.akura.com
Comments Although it has two recessed handles, the Akura is the most awkward to carry. It is well-equipped, with a DVD player, two SCART sockets, and an AV socket on the front, but no Teletext. The remote is confusing, but it's easy to program the 218 channels, timers and parental lock via the on-screen menu. The picture is sharp and easy to watch, though the sound was tinny, even when playing in stereo from DVD.
Verdict Good picture and features, but questionable sound quality. Overall score 7/10
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Roadstar TVD 1052
Price £219.99
Type Portable TV/DVD-combi
Screen size 10in (25cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 8.9 kg
Size 32 x 33 x 28cm (HxDxW)
Tel 0870 873 0077
Website www.roadstar-uk.co.uk
Comments This DVD model has a detachable mains cable as well as a 12V lead. The twin stereo speakers sound flimsy in mono TV mode. The remote control is easy to use, but the on-screen menu makes set-up and tuning tedious. There are SCART and AV sockets, and the body features a reassuring carry handle. The loop aerial is motorhome-friendly. DVD playback produces a crisp, natural, picture and excellent sound.
Verdict A fine DVD player that is let down by the lack of stereo sound quality. Overall score 6/10
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Casio/Aftex EV-1000
Price £349
Type Portable TV
Screen size 10.4in (26cm) diagonal
Teletext No
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 3.1kg
Size 31 x 18 (base) x 27cm (HxDxW)
Tel 020 8450 9131
Website www.casio.co.uk
Comments This is the smallest and, at 3.1kg, the lightest set tested. The excellent handle makes it the easiest to transport. Operating from mains or battery power using the (supplied) 12V stabiliser and with multi-system tuning, this set can be used worldwide. The glare-free picture has deep, natural tones and you soon forget you're watching a 10-inch screen. Sadly, the NICAM stereo sounds tinny through its speakers. Set up is straightforward and there are AV and SCART sockets.
Verdict Easily portable and well made. Poor sound lets it down. Overall score 7/10
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Roadstar TLV 1085
Price £199.99
Type Portable TV/VCR-combi
Screen size 10in (25cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 8.7 kg
Size 32 x 33 x 27cm (HxDxW)
Tel 0870 873 0077
Website www.roadstar-uk.co.uk
Comments This TV/VCR-combi's flat screen gives excellent picture quality, and the sound is good. It has Teletext but its set-up and on-screen menu are poor. It has 12V capability, cord storage and a carry handle, but the telescopic aerial is impractical inside a 'van. The remote control is fussy, but the buttons on the set are easy to use. AV, SCART and headphone sockets are provided. Recording and watching video tapes is simple. But VHS is on its way out, so consider the TVD 1052 (page 135).
Verdict Consider it if you need 12V operation, but the aerial may be impractical to use. Overall score 4/10
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Toshiba 14N21B2
Price £74.99
Type Portable TV
Screen size 14in (36cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 8.9 kg
Size 32 x 35 x 36cm (HxDxW)
Tel 08704 424 424
Website: www.toshiba.co.uk
Comments The Toshiba has 99 channels, Teletext and a parental lock. There are useful AV and headphone sockets on the front panel. On the back, there's a SCART socket and two handles, but no cord storage. The remote control is easy to use, as is the on-screen menu. Set-up and tuning is child's play, because it tunes itself. The picture is rich and natural, but the set is let down by a speaker beneath, which causes vibration.
Verdict Well made and easy to use, but expensive. Overall score 7/10
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Crown CTT1507
Price £349
Type LCD flat panel TV
Screen size 15in (38cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 6.3 kg
Size 38 x 17 (oval base) x 48cm (HxDxW)
Tel 01977 604111
Website www.crowncorporation.co.uke
Comments This is the widest set on test here, with twin speakers flanking the flat, reflection-free screen. The picture is rich and natural, and the NICAM stereo sound is distortion-free except at the highest volumes. Where this TV really scores is in its set-up: access the on-screen menu, and it virtually tunes itself and sorts the channels for you. The on-set buttons are hidden from view, but the remote is easy to use and well laid out. With Teletext, timers, AV, headphone and SCART sockets, this set is highly equipped, and comes with a PC lead. The price includes a £50, 12-volt stabiliser with this set, to allow hassle-free battery operation.
Verdict Great picture and sound. Pricey, but easy to set up. Overall score 9/10
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*** RECOMMENDED BUY ***

Bush 1488 TSILX1
Price £69.99
Type Portable TV
Screen size 14in (36cm) diagonal
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/No
Weight 9.1 kg
Size 36 x 39 x 37cm (HxDxW)
Tel 0870 873 0077
Website www.bushdigital.co.uk
Comments Apart from cosmetic differences, this TV is similar to the BEKO (p135), yet it has Teletext and other programmable features and costs £20 less. There are SCART and headphone sockets, but no AV socket. The 1.1m telescopic aerial would be of limited use inside a motorhome. Tuning was slow and hindered by fiddly buttons and a crude on-screen menu. When set up, the picture is fine and the sound is distortion-free.
Verdict Good performance, but the aerial would be awkward to position in the confined space of a 'van. Overall score 4/10
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