Alba TVD 3455
Price £89.99
Type Portable TV with DVD
Screen size 14 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 11kg
Size (h x d x w) 39 x 39 x 37cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.albaplc.com
This stylish set has a sturdy carry handle but no cord storage. The SCART socket is at the back, and there are AV sockets on the front and rear. The picture was clear, as was the sound from the two speakers. The easy-to-use on-screen menu is let down by a remote control crowded with tiny buttons.
Verdict Credible performance, easy to carry and great value for money.
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*** PCV BEST BUY ***

Akura AO DV151 R-S
Price £89.99
Type Portable TV with DVD
Screen size 14 inches
Teletext No
SCART/AV sockets Yes/ Yes
Weight 11.4kg
Size (h x d x w) 37 x 39 x 36cm
Available from larger Safeway stores
The Akura has two handles, but they offer little grip and will be hard to use unless you have very small hands. It has a built-in DVD player, two SCART sockets and an AV socket, but lacks Teletext. The remote is fiddly, but it’s easy to tune the 218 channels and the parental lock via the on-screen menu. The picture was sharp but the sound was tinny.
Verdict A good picture, plus many features. But sound quality was poor and the set is hard to handle.
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Toshiba 14N21B2
Price £74.99
Type Standard portable TV
Screen size 14 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 8.9kg
Size (h x d x w) 32 x 35 x 36cm
Tel 08704 424 424
Web www.toshiba.co.uk
This TV has 99 channels, Teletext and a parental lock. It’s compact, smart and well made and has AV and headphone sockets. 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 is easy since the set basically tunes itself. The picture was good, but the sound comes through a single speaker under the TV, which makes surfaces reverberate.
Verdict Well made and easy to use, but for what you get it’s not the best value for money.
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Bush LCD15TV
Price £299.99
Type LCD flat-panel TV
Screen size 15.1 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 5.6 kg
Size 38.5 x 18cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.bushdigital.co.uk
The clear picture on this LCD’s non-reflective screen is the best of the lot. However, despite NICAM stereo, the sound is tinny. The set has many features, including SCART and AV sockets, Teletext, timers, a parental lock, and a a multi-system tuner. It’s a shame that it lacks a carry handle and cord storage.
Verdict A great picture, plus it can be used in France. But sound quality is disappointing.
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Roadstar TLV 1085
Price £199.99
Type Portable TV with VCR
Screen size 10 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 8.7kg
Size (h x d x w) 32 x 33 x 27cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.roadstar-uk.co.uk
This TV/VCR has a flat screen with an excellent picture and good sound. There’s a decent range of features, but set-up is tricky due to the confusing on-screen instructions. There’s a connector for 12V use, practical cord storage and a sturdy carry handle, but the telescopic aerial is too long for use in a caravan. The remote is fussy and poorly laid out but the buttons on the set are clear and easy to use. The front panel features headphone and AV sockets and there’s a SCART socket on the back.
Verdict Pricey but worth it if you must have 12V operation.
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Roadstar TVD 1052
Price £219.99
Type Portable TV with DVD
Screen size 10 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 8.9kg
Size (h x d x w) 32 x 33 x 28cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.roadstar-uk.co.uk
More than a revised version of its VCR-combi, Roadstar’s DVD model has extra features not found on its sibling. There’s a detachable mains cable in addition to the 12V lead. Twin speakers produce stereo sound from DVDs, but sound is muffled in TV mode. The remote control is easy to use and the on-screen menu uses small characters, making set-up and tuning confusing. Features include SCART and AV sockets, a sturdy carry handle, and a caravan-friendly loop aerial. The picture was crisp and natural.
Verdict A good performer with 12V operation, but very expensive
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Bush 1488 TSILX1
Price £69.99
Type Standard portable TV
Screen size 14 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/No
Weight 9.1kg
Size (h x d x w) 36 x 39 x 37cm
Tel 0870 873 0077
Web www.bushdigital.co.uk
This set looks very like the basic Beko set, but costs £20 more. It includes Teletext and various other programmable features. There’s a SCART and a headphone socket, but no AV, and the 1.1m telescopic aerial is to long to be used inside a caravan. Tuning the set was slow and hindered by fiddly buttons and a crude on-screen menu. But once set up, the picture was clear and the sound from the single speaker was distortion-free, unless turned up to maximum volume.
Verdict A fair performance, but fairly difficult to set up.
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Beko 14272TDS
Price £49.99
Type Standard portable TV
Screen size 14 inches
Teletext No
SCART/AV sockets Yes/No
Weight 9.1kg
Size (h x d x w) 34 x 39 x 36cm
Tel 01923 818121
Web www.beko.co.uk
The BEKO might be the cheapest set tested, but it’s clear where the savings have been made. The cabinet looks dated, and it’s a bit crude – especially the narrow handles and cord storage. There’s a SCART socket but no AV or headphone socket and no Teletext. The picture was OK as was the sound from the single speaker, but the on-screen menu was hard to use and the remote-control’s buttons were too small. The 90cm telescopic aerial is unusable in a caravan.
Verdict Very basic, but great value for money if you don’t mind a lack of features.
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Crown CTT1506
Price £349
Type LCD flat-panel TV
Screen size 15 inches
Teletext Yes
SCART/AV sockets Yes/Yes
Weight 6.3kg
Size (cm h x d x w) 38 x 17 x 48cm
Tel 01925 234888
Web www.leisurepower.co.uk
The widest and most stylish set in the test has twin speakers flanking the flat, reflection-free screen. The picture is natural while the NICAM stereo sound is distortion-free except at the highest volumes. In terms of set-up this TV is the best on test: the on-screen menu virtually tunes in the channels for you. The on-set buttons are tucked away, but the remote buttons are clear. Teletext, timers, AV, headphone and SCART sockets, are included, along with a PC lead. The price includes 12V stabiliser for hassle-free battery operation.
Verdict Stylish, well featured and easy to set up. But it is expensive.
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*** EDITOR'S CHOICE ***

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