Streaming TV in the caravan

[@stevezodiac491]

I do watch apple TV in the caravan and I find it perfect, i don't even have a mifi device to use it, i just use the hotspot on my wife or my phone. We have 100 gb contracts per month each and never run out of data, even being away on a very regular basis. The added advantage is that i can take my racing bike and smart trainer and use zwift with the apple TV as well, racing against thousands of people from around the world, whilst caravanning because it allows Bluetooth linking.

[@youreds91]

Good guide, but the MiFi kit from Kuma, £170!! Typical caravan retailer rip off. Huawei 4G Mifi on Amazon under £40, external aerial add on, under £20. Go for 2nd hand on ebay, pick one up for about £20.

[@617539]

Dan, Just for info: I am a EE subscriber and have three sim cards on my contract, one for my phone, one for my wife's phone and one for my iPad. this costs me £30.00 per month, and for that I get 60 Gig of data. I also bought a 4G router from EE for £60.00 for use in my caravan. This needs a sim card and I used to pay for a forth sim card but only when I'm caravanning which is about five months of the year. My iPad has it's own sim which I take out when I'm caravanning and put it in the 4G router. I then use my iPad on wife only which I pick up from my router and also stream my TV using a Amazon fire stick and get all my films or catch up stuff, plus what's on TV anyway. When I leave my caravan I turn off my router so that it doesn't eat up all of my data this works for me and on a long weekend (Thursday until Monday) I use about 10 Gig of my 60 Gig per month allowance. This works for me using my phone, my wife uses her phone I use my iPad and of course the Fire stick. Hope you can understand my drivel.

[@al9600mc]

Hi Dan great vid, as usual, we use a Fire Stick and I have 30GB Hotspot on my phone, wife has 10 GB on hers both on three, never had a problem and we watch all the usual streaming services, cheers Alex.

[@caravanalia4662]

Great video as always Dan. Just a point of interest. If you have certain data packages (3 network et al) you may find that watching Netflix is not included in the data allowance, thus allowing you to watch it without it reducing your overall data package allowance.

[@essexrowleys]

Another useful vid, thanks Dan Cos we have BT broadband at home we get a mobile phone deal from BT which is £15 a month for 25GB of data (contract not PAYG). Then, bless their little hearts, they doubled the data allowance so we now get 50GB for 15 quid! Therefore, when we're away in the van I just plug my iPhone into the telly and stream from it. Yes, there are a couple of trailing wires but not really a problem and it works really well. BT use EE's network (they're the same company now) so 4G coverage has been fine for us.

[@MC50000]

I use an iPad Pro 12.9inch with plenty storage space and then download from sky and Netflix etc so i have plenty movies and tv shows to watch whilst away and it costs me absolutely nothing in data. I can even stream it wirelessly to a 4k projector to a screen in my campervan. Job done 😁

[@mikeclements4548]

Just fitted my camper tv then 🤔 - came across your video- will now order everything you’ve listed 🙏

[@dcgamephotography5533]

We got a Now TV stick, and we can pull Netflix and Sky Cinema down from my sky box at home, we use my phone which has 40GB pm of data available to it. It’s been an excellent upgrade. Or we download programmes to phone or iPad and then stream to TV without phone or internet signal

[@CaravanningwiththeCoxs]

We have a chrome cast and amazon stick at home but not in the van. So far we have had no issues with caravan club signal especially early in the morning it even uploaded a 1080p video! Cheers Oliver

[@keithandmichele]

Another great video Dan. We tend to use our phones for tethering as we both have 30 Gb & are on different networks that way we normally get at least one good signal. We opted for the fire stick. Cheers Keith

[@simonbailey2399]

Great mini-series thanks - I now take my Roku express with me - not an HDMI dongle but is as small as a matchbox and can be powered via USB in most TVS - It is a bit cheaper at 29.99 in most places

[@HitchUpAndTow]

Great vlog, very informative, we just purchased a fire stick for the caravan, but use our phones on hot spot as and when.

[@Vandemonium]

Excellent. I have a Chromecast and it works but is a bit clunky. Interesting to hear about the Roku, wish it was cheaper.

[@claireparr4489]

Very interesting. Thank you. I was going to buy a Firestick but having watched this I will buy a Roku which will meet all our needs. I hope you have done a video of how to set it up 🤞 I shall now look to see if you have 👍

[@TheTrudgians]

Glad I could help!

[@trigger229]

I use a sharer SIM from EE which uses the same data allowance (40GB)as my phone, 30day contract. Cost £9 pm but means I don't have to bother with tethering which kills the battery or paying a small fortune for a new contract. Use an external antenna that's permanently stuck on the roof, had good signal even when our phones wouldn't connect. Chromecast is our choise of device

[@darrin120206]

I got a 22" tv bush from Argos. It's Wi-Fi and has all the catchup channels and Netflix with lots of other apps. Perfect

[@CaravanVlogger]

Good info Dan. We stay mainly on CAMC sites and have found on site WiFi to be much improved. We’re able to live stream footie without too much trouble. Surprised by the amount of data it uses, makes you think twice...Graham

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Graham, we have found a few CAMC sites okay, but when they are busy the Wifi is only good for limited browsing. and te more rural ones are just hopeless. The amount of data used is staggering isn't it. Take care

[@MyBigTOW]

Great series Dan. Very informative for those of us that just can't be away from our tech gear. I am much the same in that the streaming services have taken over from "Live TV" for the most part. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@HereWeTow]

Wow, thank you for the stats. I had no idea that much data was used for 720 and 1080. Really interesting. Thanks so much for sharing that. 👍👍

[@theFijian]

On the contrary, I *don't* want a separate remote because it's: A) another set of batteries B) much, much easier to search for programs using the swipe keyboard on your phone And we use an old spare mobile as the remote

[@TheCaravanNut]

Interesting vlog Dan, not sure I could justify the experience of streaming 🤔 We just have free view and if I watch any YT it’s on my phone or ipad. When we went to France we didn’t use the TV for a few weeks which was great. cheers Martin 👍

[@Jaques2go]

I have firestick & works amazingly in our tent, including getting you tube, everything, even bbc iplayer in spain with a vpn..... but doesn't work in the caravan...what ever stick you have it doesn't work well in a metal caravan

[@pete1927]

Cheers Dan for doing the hard work.

[@justusontour8150]

Great video Dan ,you help us newbies a lot .

[@michaelvincent1425]

The KZbin app is back up and running on Amazon fire stick. I was using it the other night. Not saying they won't fall out again though 😀

[@TheTrudgians]

good grief, thanks for the heads up Michael.

[@nabarnes]

And even if it doesn't work again, you can install Firefox (a standard app with no hacking required) which fully supports KZbin.

[@GG-gotr6]

Thanks Dan, your TV “series” is excellent!

[@lostweekendscaravan]

We have a EE Data box which works fine for us. Thanks for sharing P&J

[@mickbig2107]

I use a 24" Toshiba Smart TV with a Amazon Fire TV Stick, the smart TV can do Netflix, KZbin and Amazon etc allready, the Fire Tv stick is for my IPTV provider. For connectivity I use Vodaphone, and my unlimited Data plan means I can watch and do what I like internet wise. Using my phone as a Mobile Hotspot I have all the connectivity I need. Having tried most phone companies, Vodaphone has the best network coverage by far, and best Data Through put aswell (Which is what you need to avoid buffering), some of the other providers are very very bad, I wont name names.

[@digitalchimpuk]

Our setup consists of an Amazon firestick and tethered phone. I have a 60gb data plan so its ideal and the firestick we already owned anyway so it was a no brainer. We've also got a chromecast but I've never really got on with it tbh. The Roku looks nice but we're in no rush to change as yet. If we arrive on site and have no 4g signal it sucks, that's the only downside to tethering. You're stuck to one network.

[@Flood51]

Chris if you get an iPad with the SIM option you can buy data cheaply from the network with the best coverage at your campsite without a SIM card for that network (soft SIM I believe) and then switch the iPad to a hotspot. I never thought that getting the SIM option on an iPad was worth the extra cost now I wouldn't be without it. Especially useful if you travel out of country getting cheap data from a local provider. The iPad makes it very simple.

[@digitalchimpuk]

@@Flood51 that's a good option tbh I like the idea but I've already got tablets and wouldn't spend the money on swapping just for the sim version. If I was to do anything I'd go down the mifi route as you have the option of adding an aerial booster, these can make a huge improvement in signal strength. It can also be quite nice to have no 4g at times because it forces your hand into switching off and socialising properly... Good idea though and something to bear in mind.

[@alanalan1406]

Another great video Dan - thanks. I'm discounting streaming I think now. Wonder if you are able to mirror a tablet or your phone to any caravan tvs?

[@glennob7663]

I just use my mobile phone to create a wifi hotspot in the caravan for streaming TV. Have a 40gb data plan which is more than enough and more cost effective than paying for a separate mifi device.

[@tinajones4644]

How do you use your phone to create a WiFi hotspot

[@glennob7663]

@@tinajones4644 on an android phone it's settings connections mobile hotspot and tethering. Dunno about iphones but I'm sure it will be on Google.

[@RohanTheBT]

Very interesting. Never go to Clumber Park, no mobile signal from any network!

[@martinkendall3939]

Why would you want to go to clumber park and watch tv

[@SeawolfGB]

Hi Dan, Have you thought of an android box with thousands of apps and all streaming services, plus the ability to add your own external drive to play your own media. They are around £50 on eBay and are a great addition to touring. Cheers

[@jimcaley4847]

Very useful. Thank you. Why not use your phone as a hotspot rather than a mifi.

[@andy44646]

Fantastic video. Why haven’t the tv caravan shows picked you up and given you your own. Show 🤔😎

[@wayneberilla1929]

Saw this and thought you’d gone naughty, then realised it said streaming NOT steaming 😂😂

[@petagray5993]

Much appreciated information.

[@davidcutts2650]

Great & interesting video. For interest, we use a Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi & stream wirelessly to all devices inc the TV.

[@essexrowleys]

Hello Dan, I’ve just bought a Roku stick. Did you have any problems getting audio out of your Avtex telly when using the Roku? Cheers!

[@willramshaw4677]

Cheers Dan, great review it's saved me a great deal of time.

[@FUZ2706]

Found a tv on kogan that has a built in chrome cast and built in netflix, prime video, youtube, disney plus, twitch, youtube. My only question is how do you get tv reception? What do you use for an antenna?

[@rightbynamerightbynature4198]

Thanks for doing all the leg work😉

[@trevorsmith3670]

A very useful and informative blog

[@holidaysinthehumma5108]

Hi Dan. Very helpfull video. Thanks very much. Cheers Rob

[@asiw]

Very helpful, thank you

[@anthonygardham4573]

Thanks again for another great video. I’ve checked out the Kuma range, with its many variants. Can I assume that you have opted for the 4G model? KUMA Caravan & Motorhome 4G Mobile WiFi Kit. Appreciate your reply in due course. Regards, Tony

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning Tony - yes this is the one i opted for - www.kuma.co.uk/products/kuma-4g-caravan-motorhome-boat-mobile-pocket-wifi-kit-antenna Hope that helps. Dan

[@fedaykeen]

got more than enough channels with freeview when im away.. can watch netflix etc at home.

[@hettysmotorhomeadventures4860]

Very interesting Dan 👍

[@leehammett8717]

Good video

[@debs515]

Hi, thank you for the helpful video. I have bought a Smart Traveller TV which is wifi enabled and 12 volt. It has Netflix/ KZbin/ Amazon already in it.... In order to watch TV, do i need to be on the internet pls, or is that only if i want to watch eg netflix? I don't have unlimited data so it would not work if i have to use data to watch TV. just a bit confused with this basic point. thank you in advance,nDebs

[@dianelawson8306]

We have no phone signal at all as we are sited deep in the countryside. We’ve got good wifi on site but our smart tv won’t log into it. Any ideas please?

[@mmmbisto]

Could downloading programs (I know all4 does it as does Netflix for some programs) to their phone or tablet and use the Chromecast to watch on the telly help for some people who want to watch their programs but not use data?

[@billyslittlebigadventurech9050]

hi Dan. Do you think that the roku stick will work if the tv was only on 12 volt ?

[@leonhughes2186]

Hi Dan, Out of interest, why don’t you just tether with a phone rather than using a separate Mifi device? Thanks! Leon.

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Leon, thats very simple to answer. Usually where we are situated i have very poor signal, there have been occasions where its been great and been able to tether no problems, but a separate device with a selection of PAYG sims from various networks works well for us. We have found 3 to be excellent followed up by Sky (02)

[@nickchambers2320]

@@TheTrudgians Have a look at GiffGaff which runs on O2.

[@wannabepikey]

Leon - A dedicated mifi device will work better with weaker signals that using a phone as a hot spot.

[@trigger229]

Also in a week signal area as soon as the blinds go down the van becomes a big faraday cage haha

[@denisesavage7558]

I've just ordered a maxview roam for my new caravan .. can anyone recommend a sim card? I'm thinking I probably only want one for a month at a time and am thinking a 30 day sim card of around 80GB would be plenty but I really haven't a clue about these things so would welcome any information. I have BT home broadband .. is it possible to get a sim card linked to the house broadband or is that just too simple to hope possible?

[@stuartrich2499]

Nice video !! But do any of them work in France / abroad?

[@TheTrudgians]

I do t know for certain. I will research this.

[@gilbertbarlow6473]

Yes they do, used Fire Stick for the last 3 years in just about every country in Europe.

[@stevechurchman1824]

Hi Dan. Can you use these devices to get UK programmes when you are abroad? I’m guessing you probably can’t for legal reasons. I don’t actually want to do it, I’m just curious. Steve

[@grahammcdowell9880]

Did you try it outside the UK Steve

[@Idk-yw8yg]

I was looking at getting myfi for this years holidays but I think and something you might of forgot dan is a lot of these streaming services you are able to download content so I’m planning to run the tv at the back of the caravan for the kids with my laptop download things the kids would watch for a hour when in bed and connect my laptop via hdmi at the front of the caravan where me and the missus sleep I plan on doing the same thing but with my phone and buy a lightening to hdmi splitter from Apple

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning, If downloading ahead of time works well for you, consider the Chromecast - that way you wont need to use any cables, just cast the picture to the TV, worth thinking about. It just wont work for us and our sporadic viewing habits. Thanks

[@mikeclements4548]

Does the roku need a 12 v power source?

[@chrisikin69]

Firestick for Netflix, tether to a mobile with 3 contract, unlimited streaming for Netflix, £12 a month 3 contract for 12gb or can now get unlimited for £20

[@seanhealy9671]

Which mifi set up do you use ?

[@scotiajinker8392]

Costly way to watch tv

[@colin7575]

Hi Dan, If i can't get 4g on site why is a wifi going to get one, surely if there is no signal then there is no signal

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Colin, if there is no mobile signal, you are dependant on WiFi, of course, if there is no wifi, no mobile signal, its a game of cards and a good book. Hope that (sort of) helps. Dan

[@edmor1086]

So I still don't know how it works

[@doglifehub]

KZbin is on Firestick now

[@janealdrich4658]

What if I don’t use all the data I have via the free sim that comes with this. Will the remaining data be there when I next go on a trip

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Jane, it really depends on the network, We have found that most data only sims expire after some time, for example our 3 sim expires after 30 days. If you dont use it, its gone. Using 3 as an example, we can put some money on the sim, and not activate the data until we are likly to use it. So, we do this in £25 chunks, only when we are likely to use the MiFi. I hope that helps, and it might be worthwhile speaking to a phone shop to find the best deal for you. I hope that helps.

[@psvyme48paulh45]

Try sky sim

[@TheTrudgians]

we do, have done for a few years now.

[@janealdrich4658]

Dan. Do you use pay as you go data only sims.

[@janealdrich4658]

And am I right in saying, that pay as you go rolls over each month until you run out of data and then top up again ?

[@janetkennedy119]

Bit too technical for us (in our 70's)

[@munkehpower]

why not look at a smart tv?

[@TheTrudgians]

Very simple, at the time of recording there were zero 12volt smart TVs. and even now, there is only 1 on the market.

[@letsbehonest4221]

You are doing it the hard way. .. .just get an android TV .. They are cheap and verry light weight...

[@retirerehirelife4373]

Why not stop watching BBC & iPlayer and dump the licence? Thats £154 saved.

[@yorkshiremix6877]

why would you want to watch tv when on holiday when a holiday is a getaway from it all go walking explore the place you are staying at

[@davidmbell]

Do you do all that in the dark too? I love a bit of telly when we're away, each to their own. I can explore, walk, go to the pub, but if I'm feeling like some down time I can stay in my jim jams all day and veg out in front of the tv.

[@yorkshiremix6877]

@@davidmbell no i dont i go to bed so i can get up at 5 to go for a walk

[@krippleinacaravanxxx707]

Dons allotment it seems that quite a few people watch bloody telly in their vans! It’s my problem but I feel like throwing rocks through the windows of caravans with the telly on!. Also the snobbery! Not only have you got to have the biggest caravan, then comes the mattress and now the telly! Modern technology eh! All those microwave signals swimming around. I want to get away from it all but it seems people feel like they have the right to pollute other peoples space! Shame on them!

[@johnrocker2986]

Dons allotment good point maybe that's why most people I see in caravans are over weight through lack of exercise and spending too much time by the fridge! Get out and walk.

[@krippleinacaravanxxx707]

john rocker in my case- hobble!

[@martinwhite8354]

It's pronounced Aitch not Haitch Fgs

[@TheTrudgians]

possibly one of the most useless comments I've ever received. congratulations...

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Or why not read a book