So I have pondered my adult mental wellness plan many times. This being the child entertainment system when they are whining about it being cold,smokey ect outside and just want to go inside and be kids of today. So what I have been wondering is if using a Chrome cast and a wifi router to stream movies I have down loaded on my tablet would take less juice then running a DVD player. I know with TV/DVD Combos that the highest amount of juice is used to run the DVD player. SO by eliminating it and the mess of DVD's would this other solution save a little juice, keep the TT a little more organized? I have also thought about a cheap laptop, but that would be more of an expense to me as I have everything but the Chromecast for the other option. And secondly how hard would it be to convert a router to a 12 volt DC then using an inverter for 120?Fire away this is a brain storming post.

Both plans revolve around the TV, which is going to be your biggest drain, regardless of dvd player usage. The tv's backlight and audio amplifier will use more power than the built in dvd player. The chromecast is a piggy little device too, mine gets hot while operating, and I believe the power adapter that ships with it is rated for 5 watts (my 24in Vizio led tv only takes 9 watts)What sort of router do you have that needs to be plugged in to power to operate? Either a portable hotspot or cell phone hotspot run off an internal battery and just recharge as needed. Some folks running full time might leave the hotspot plugged into the charger all the time, most likely an automotive type charger (12v in, 5v out.)Since you haven't bought a Chromecast yet, don't. If you want a streaming stick, get a Roku. They are about the same price and the Roku works by itself. Rather than needing a phone/tablet to control it, it has a remote control. Plus it supports Amazon Video, a service Chromecast will never support (although there are workarounds.)

I do, but do it a bit differently. I use a pocket router as a DNLA server, and store Ripped movies on a USB thumb drive, and when watching on A TV instead of a tablet, I use a FireTV Stick, which is more powerful than a Chromecast. If you're interested in my setup, let me know, and I will go into details and pictures.

Majja13 wrote: how hard would it be to convert a router to a 12 volt DC then (sic) using an inverter for 120?Perhaps you could consider increasing your battery capacity.

Gordon Three it is an Asus RTN56U Wireless.ChooCHoo please I would be interested in seeing your set up. If you would rather email them my email is shuter1371@gmail.comI could add 2 more 6 volts, but really I hate having the DVD's around the trailer and working if they are scratched ect. I never thought about using my hot spot on my phone in place of the router.

Introduce the kids to something different ? Give them a rotary phone and tell them to figure out what it is and how it works.

A crazy idea. Has anyone tried this. | Good Sam Community

Sillybugs2
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016
Portable dvd players are about 50 bucks. DH uses on on nights to watch movies. Recharge as needed. Kids don't need the big tv nd no power drain.
northshore
Explorer
Jun 20, 2016
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Wireless-Smartphones-Tablets-SDWS1-032G-A57/dp/B00DR8LBAK
We have one of these, puts out a wifi signal, load it with what ever you want, we use ipad or iphone and each can watch what they want.
Community Alumni
Jun 20, 2016
We bought a set of cheap, but decent tablets and large SD cards. We ripped our entire collection and YouTube videos onto each of the tablets. In the trailer we just hook up the tablets to their TV with an HDMI cord when they're in the mood for a movie. We have some educational games on them also which comes in handy when we're stuck in the trailer. We put a couple of tablet headrest mounts in the truck so the kids can watch them while traveling just for our sanity and to keep the peace.
nickdarr
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
We use a phone with an HDMI/Y cable and stream off of Amazon or Netflix. Works great to eliminate DVDs. We have not packed DVDs in two years. During that time we made a six week trip from Idaho to New England, a month in Death Valley, and a four week trip to NC, SC, and Tennessee with a 3 yo and a 9 yo.
tatest
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2016
You may not need a router if that's all you want to do. The Chromecast should do peer-to-peer connections if the tablet will. At least mine will. Chromecast uses peer-to-peer connections for setup, for assigning it to a wifi network and letting it know the passwords.

Only problem with peer-to-peer, at least older protocols, most devices will not do a wifi network connection at same time as doing peer-to-peer, so you may be off the Internet while streaming.
Majja13
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
We dont allow the electronics during the day. And both my kids have some cheap tablets. IT is more of an issue when we are with our friends and all the kids (4 total) are trying to crown around one 7in tablet to watch a movie. I was just looking in my bone yard and thinking how I could re-use some old equipment that still has a little life in it. I think I just got the route of the Hdmi cables that is easy also, and cables are cheap. Thanks for all the replies. I have to admit sometimes it is nice when the kids are in the TT and jsut the adults are drinking a nice red wine around a good fire.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
GordonThree wrote:
ChooChooMan74 wrote:

I really like this idea. That's an outdoor access point screwed into an omni antenna right?

It doesn't interfere with the way the antenna folds up?

Yes, it is a access point/router set up to connect to the campground. I could always reverse it somehow and broadcast signals, but I have no reason to. I put it there so I can pick up campground WiFi easier, so I can tend to work stuff if needed.(Union Official, even when on Vaca).

No issues raising and lowering it. I got the idea from this guy. I just used hose clamps to hold it on.

http://www.dmbruss.com/zRVTech/RVTT_BulletInstall.htm
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jun 17, 2016
Sorry I can not help you I know nothing of this sort of thing.

How about handing them a book ??

Although those are hard to find these days. :( What about a book reader for there I pad or something like that ?
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
ChooChooMan74 wrote:

I really like this idea. That's an outdoor access point screwed into an omni antenna right?

It doesn't interfere with the way the antenna folds up?
ksbowman
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2016
Funny how todays kids don't think they can live without electronic games and tv! I took my granddaughters to the lake a couple of years ago and one cried her eyes out when she found out there would not be a tv. After we looked for Indian artifacts went boating, swimming and looking for shells over the 2 days she announced she had a great time!

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