Holidaying is all about getting yourself into the ideal environment for enjoyment and relaxation. For many, caravanning provides a means to escape the noise, bustle and impositions of day to day life.
Your perfect environment, however, may well include other forms of entertainment such as music, TV and radio. Just because you choose to go on holiday with your caravan does not mean that you have to leave these luxuries behind. In fact, if you are the kind of person who needs the crispest sound quality and the highest definition of picture, you may well be able to kit out your caravan to suit your needs.
Even if you have already got a television set up in your caravan, you might have to reconsider its set up as the UK approaches the date of complete switchover to Digital Signal (after which analogue receivers will no longer function.)
If you want to ensure that you don’t miss that episode of ‘Strictly’ while you’re away, there are a number of options available to you. Firstly, you’ll need to get yourself a receiver. The primary options are to fit an aerial or install a satellite dish. Either option has both free and subscription services available through them – so you’ll be able to choose a package that suits your needs. Many specialist caravan engineers will be able to install kit in a secure and functional manner. Bear in mind, however, that you might well need to adjust the direction of your dish or aerial on location, according to the origin of the signal.
If using sky, or if you’ve got an old-model television, you’ll then need a digibox to translate the digital signal into information that is readable by your TV. An alternative option recently available is to use a laptop connector for your incoming digital signal. Using a laptop, you’ll be able to record TV directly for later viewing – ideal if you fancy making the most of the sun rather than cooping up indoors for your favourite show.
Finally, you’ll need the screen itself! Recent advances in digital technology provide some ideal solutions for caravans. Not only can you purchase extremely thin screens which take up minimal space, but viewing angles are wide, and images appear clear in even the brightest of conditions. Consider installing a mounted unit to save space. You can even install screens which fold down/out from ceilings and walls for perfect positioning.
Once you’ve sorted your viewing, you might want to consider how to maximising your listening pleasure. Few caravan layouts easily suit surround sound installation, although yours might. A fantastic alternative is ‘virtual surround sound’ provided by a central system. You’ll certainly notice the difference with one of these systems when setting that crucial holiday mood.
Of course, while kitting out your caravan with expensive electrical equipment could really enhance your holiday, it also becomes an attractive prospect for thieves. Keep a close eye on your entertainment equipment, and if possible tuck everything out of sight while you are out. In addition to taking extra security precautions, make sure you have taken out Caravan Insurance to cover your prized possessions.
