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Coby TF-TV505 5-Inch LCD Color Television | 
 enlarge | Brand: Coby
Category: CE
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  106 reviews
Format: Cd
Media: Electronics
Operating System: N/A
Display Size: 5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 7 x 5 x 1
MPN: TF-TV505
Model: TF-TV505
UPC: 716829995051
EAN: 0716829995051
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| Features:
| • | Built-in high sensitivity TV tuner | | • | On-screen display | | • | Detachable battery pack | | • | High output stereo speakers | | • | Includes remote, AV cable, and 110V UL adapter |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Coby TF-TV505 5" LCD TV - This portable television utilizes an ultra-compact 5" LCD, which makes it very convenient to take with you while traveling. The built-in high sensitivity TV tuner allows you to enjoy great image quality on over-the-air network broadcasts. High Output Stereo Speakers 3-Way Power - AC / DC / Batteries
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| Customer Reviews: Read 101 more reviews...
 Great Little TV June 7, 2006
78 out of 80 found this review helpful
I wanted to buy a little portable, battery operated TV. I don't have a TV at home due to religious reasons, but wanted to have a TV available for weather related emergencies, to use during the Florida hurricanes.
My main concern was 1) reception, since we don't have cable, and 2) picture quality. Last year, we tried to use a 5" B&W TV & the reception & picture quality were so terrible, I returned it to Walmart after a few days.
I would be happy to be able to receive the 3 or 4 network channels to watch the hurricane news. After reading many reviews, I narrowed down my choice to the Casio 4" Handheld TV (EV4500) or the Coby TFTV-505 5" LCD Color TV. I chose the Coby because, for the same price, the Coby was 5" (vs. the Casio 4") & it included the AC adapter (a $20-25 add-on with the Casio).
Well, I just today received this Coby TFTV-505 5" LCD Color TV, tried it out & I am very pleasantly surprised. We live in North Miami Beach, FL. Right out of the box, using the internal, extended antenna, I can get 19 channels! Mind you, some are in Spanish, but 19 channels! It also comes with an adapter to plug into your cable, if you have cable. Picture quality is great. Beautiful Color! I've only tried it with AC plugged into the wall, not the batteries. It uses 10 AA batteries, that others report getting 2 - 2 hours usage.
Dovid
Surprisingly good quality for the price September 6, 2006
28 out of 28 found this review helpful
This little LCD TV is really much more robust than I expected. I don't think I've ever purchased anything ever made by Coby, but I'm definitely pleased with this little guy. The screen is a nice size for personal viewing (5" diagonal, which translates to 4" across and 3" high) and it has a surprisingly clear picture. An on-screen display (accessible on the TV or through the remote control) allows you to adjust various settings, including the monitor appearance (brightness, color, contrast, hue), but I've been happy with the default settings. The reception is fantastic. This little TV picks up more channels than my 19" Panasonic model. I live in a large city, and I'm able to get slightly more than half a dozen channels with the antenna, which is more than I expected: two of the channels are crystal clear, three are very clear, and the final two are okay if I move around and find the right location. Because the battery pack is removable, the unit is much more versatile and very lightweight when using the power cord. The unit uses ten AA batteries, which is a lot, but they are easy to find and relatively inexpensive (rechargeables might be nice). When the battery pack is attached it increases the weight, but a stand on the back allows me to place it on a table or desk. Even still, it's not too heavy for me to hold it and watch a program if I want, and the convenience of being mobile is wonderful. So far, with Energizer batteries I've gotten several hours of use at a time and the picture and sound don't seem to have faded much yet, if at all. The unit has three modes: antenna, video input, and cable. RCA audio-video input jacks on the side allow you to attach a separate media device like a VCR or DVD player. And there's even a tiny little coaxial cable adapter that plugs right into the side. Yes, that's right, this baby is cable-ready! The sound on this device is as you might expect from such tiny speakers. It's certainly not bad, but it sounds great with headphones. I bought a car adapter for this TV and plan to take it while traveling and camping. I also plan to use this as part of my emergency preparedness kit. They always say to take a radio, which I have, but I imagine a little TV like this might also come in handy. Overall, I'm really thrilled with this TV. It's got a great picture, it's lightweight, affordable, and the detachable battery pack and input ports makes it versatile. This TV even comes with a handy, tiny, and fully-functional remote control! There aren't many drawbacks to this item that I have discovered, but one is rather annoying. There is a tiny little LED on the front of the device that illuminates when the power is on. The LED is quite powerful and I had to cover it with a little sticker. It's like a frickin' laser beam. But seriously, that's a minor complaint, and I'm very pleased with this model.
 Fun little spare TV November 11, 2006
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
I live in the Washington, DC area. Reception is hit or miss with this TV. The TV picked up most of the local stations using the auto channel search feature to program the channels. However, many of the stations came in a bit grainy and my local FOX station barely came in at all. When I manually tuned to the FOX channel, the reception was poor and the audio repeatedly clicked on and off. It seems that if the TV has a hard time picking up a channel, the audio will fade in and out. Surprisingly, the lower channels 2-9, which are for me: NBC, FOX, CBS, and ABC come in the worst. The higher channels, 20 and above, which are: UPN, PBS, CW, and Univsion come in pretty clear. Living in the DC area about 15 minutes from the White House, I am sure my television signals are as strong as they are going to get anywhere in the country so I am a tad bit shocked that my reception isn't better. The attached antenna must be pretty weak. You definitely have to have the antenna fully extended to get reception--no cheating thinking you can get away with it halfway up. Perhaps I'll look into getting an external antenna for better reception.
The picture quality is good. I haven't had to adjust the color settings at all. As I mentioned, some stations are crisp and clear while other stations are grainy and have lines running through the screen. The TV has a feature called FINE to adjust the picture, similar to tracking on a VCR. I didn't notice much difference using it. It didn't clear up the screen to any appreciable extent. Basically, either the picture comes in clear or it doesn't, fine tuning won't really help.
I like that the battery pack is detachable. By battery pack I mean there is a separate case in which you put the 10 AA batteries and then that case attaches to the back of the TV. Detaching it makes the TV less bulky and lighter when you aren't using the batteries. However, there is a major design flaw with this battery pack. Instead of the cover just sliding on and off, you have to first take out a screw to take the cover off. What product design genius thought this was a good idea? Heaven forbid you have to replace the batteries at an inopportune time. Try searching for a screwdriver in the dark during a blackout. Or worse, who carries a screwdriver with them on a plane? Not me or you unless you want to get locked up. I guess you could use a coin to loosen the screw but it's ridiculous to make a portable product that requires a screw in the first place. What if you drop the screw and lose it? And I shouldn't have to carry around my toolbox just to change the batteries. Major design flaw!!!! Coby needs to go back to the drawing board on this one.
The remote is very small and thin. Strangely, it doesn't turn the TV on/off. You'll have to do that from the unit itself. Hey, I admit I can be lazy at times. Shoot me. I am just saying don't tease me by telling me it comes with a remote but fail to mention that I'll have to get up to turn the TV on/off anyway. Yes, yes, I know...a remote makes channel surfing very convenient. Instead of getting up 20 times to change channels I only have to get up twice to turn it on/off. I'm just saying... :-) Thankfully, you don't need the remote to operate the functions on the TV so you won't be SOL when you lose it.
The blue power indicator light is extremely bright, as others have mentioned. It's extreme brightness is not an exaggeration. That sucker is bright! So bright that with Christmas coming up, Santa can attach this TV to his sleigh and Rudolph can take a vacation this year because the power indicator will light the way. Or you know how your mother taught you not to look directly at the sun...well...the same rule applies to looking at this power light. Putting on sunglasses would not be out of the question. Kidding aside, the light really is extremely bothersome as I watch TV. It is like a blue laser beam shining into my eyes. It needs a filter to diffuse the light. I hate to ruin the aesthetics of the unit by covering the light with ugly tape but I don't think I can stand to look at it any longer. I am wondering if Coby will have any product liability issues because of it. Young children who may have more sensitive eyes may be affected by it. I know who I am suing if I wake up one day and can't see anymore. :-)
Sound quality is okay. Nothing to write home about. The manufacturer says it has stereo sound so I guess I have to believe them but it really sounds more transistor radio to me--definitely not a TV to watch Star Wars on. No blame. I imagine they can only do so much with tiny speakers. The volume can go fairly loud. Although you can't turn it all the way up unless you want to listen to static. I'll have to see how it does when I take it somewhere noisy like a loud football game.
Overall, this TV is fine for a portable TV. If I had paid more for it I probably would have returned it based on the hit or miss reception it gets. But since I only paid $89 with free shipping, I am happy with my purchase. I don't feel ripped off so no buyers remorse. It's a great TV for emergencies, blackouts, taking to the park/football games. Or just taking anywhere else that an regular TV can't go--like in the bathroom (where it gets surprisingly clear reception) after eating some really bad, stomach-upsetting, "you're going to be a while" Mexican food. Conversely, I wouldn't use this as a main TV, kitchen TV or any TV that I would watch for any extended period of time; the picture and sound quality really aren't good enough for that kind of use. For $90, go to Walmart and buy yourself a small regular TV if that is your need.
I would buy another one of these if the need ever arose. I am sure once I show it to my father, he'll want one for Christmas to replace his big 5" portable B/W TV that takes a whopping 10 heavy C batteries. For a portable TV that gets reception via one antenna this TV does a good job. I haven't tried viewing it via cable hookup, nor will I ever. It'll be a cold day when I sit down to watch cable TV on a 5 inch screen. I prefer not having to squint to watch TV as I am lounging on my couch.
UPDATE--3 weeks later: TV is doing better than expected. Depending on my location, it really does get pretty decent reception, with one exception. I still haven't been able to tune into my local FOX channel. Just lots of static with periodic glimpses of a picture. My other stations come in fairly well so I don't necessarily blame the FOX problem on the TV; although, a friend of mine has an old 2" Casio color TV and he can get FOX so it does make me wonder why this one cannot. Perhaps FOX broadcasts over weaker signals that this TV has difficulty picking up. I am disappointed because I intended to watch FOX football on this TV if I happened to be away from home on a Sunday but I won't return the TV because of this problem because I have no other major complaints. I still like it. Oh, did I mention that the power light is bright? Okay, good.
Love It May 20, 2006
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
Bought this for "double duty" use. (1)- To watch in computer room while my husband hogs the big tv in living room. (2)- To use during next hurricane down here. Very happy with first use so far, Great sound and picture. Hope I never get to try out second reason I bought this, but after being without power 14 days last year, I have rechargable batteries ready to go "just in Case!". I would have given this great little tv 5 stars, but dropped it to 4 because remote battery(included) with remote arrive DOA. I did quite a bit of research online before I purchased this item and have come to conclusion that for size ,quality and price this tv can't be beat!
Good value for the price October 23, 2006
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
This TV is a very good value for the price.
PROS: good picture, easy to use, small overall size, multiple power options, remote control, stereo headphone audio output, and included AC power cord, audio/viodeo cord, coaxil-FR adaptor.
CONS: needs 10 batteries to use battery power, antenna singal pick up not as good compared to other portable/handheld TV, small learning curve in programming/setting up TV.
Since I am one who has used handheld portable TVs quite a bit for the last five years regularly, I think I may be able to give a bit objective review to this television. I mainly use these TVs at major sporting events in large cities. I've also used them thorough out the house and at work, which is in the suburbs of a major city in California. I've used a Casio 1.1" handheld, and 3" RCA handheld.
I was very happy with my 3" RCA TV. I just wanted something a bit larger to see replays on, and, hopefully, with stereo outputs for headphones.
The picture quality is pretty good for a standard TV. If there is a good signal, the picture is very crisp and solid brightness. When I had it hooked up to cable, you could read the "bottom line" very well. I felt the picture was on par with what I got on the RCA. The RCA was bit too small to read the "bottom line" or the score of the game when it was just displayed in the corner.
Audio quality is what you would expect for something with 1" or 2" speakers. It can get some high volume considering their size. I like the stereo output. Most handheld TVs below this size only have one speaker, and the headphone output is mono.
Battery power runs around 3.5 to 4 hours, which I found to be the same time I got with the Casio and RCA. The only bummer, per se, is that is on ten batteries instead of four like the Casio and RCA. The TV does come with a AC power cord, which the smaller handhelds do not. There is no car power cord included, but one should be able to find one that should work at Radioshack or something.
As some of the earlier reviews made comments on, there is a slight learning curve on programming. The TV doesn't work well till after one has used the "auto" channel search and program. The auto program works ok, about what older TV/VCRs did with the auto program. It will miss some channels that are slightly fuzzy, but you can add and remove channels via the Skip in the menu. You can also select the channel directly via the remote.
The audio/video input is easy to use. You will need to use the supply cables since all the inputs are RF inputs. How useful this really is dependant on your planned usage. So unless you plan on hooking up a DVD, VCR, cable/satellite box, or video game system, you won't be using it; some of these options have better alternatives than this TV.
The RF input is very easy to use. This would be used for an external antenna or cable straight from the wall, not from the box. There is an included RF coaxil adapter. You'll need to do the auto program if you do this hook up.
There are a few item I was slightly below my expectations. The first one is the power of the antenna. It does work. Compared to the RCA, it is not as strong. It just wouldn't pick up some channels as RCA or Casio did. I did hook up rabbit ears and channels were received just fine. I suspect either antenna unit lesser quality than the RCA/Casio or there just isn't enough power to the antenna compared to the other TVs. I also found the TV's antenna picked up a tiny bit more of interference, and TV signal was more effective by power lines than the other TVs. I did not have an external TV antenna to compare signal at the time.
Another potential issue for some could be the weight. The battery pack does add significantly more weight to the unit. If one is hold this, it could become uncomfortable. I found it sitting on my lap was a nice alter and just holding the stand so it didn't fall off. If I stood, I would hold it with my thumb through the stand and hold the unit with my palm was overall comfortable.
One reviewer mentioned the blue led power light indicator being an nuisance. This is purely dependant on viewing angle. If you're at the right angle, it's like a high beam in the eye. Otherwise it's like any other power indicator on electronic equipment.
Overall, this TV is a very good buy for $100 or less, considering it's size, functions, features, and one's other options for handheld TVs. Either smaller TV with, probably, better signal pickup or larger TV that may not be as portable or is a widescreen TV that alters the standard TV signal to fit image to the screen. Some of the options are around the same price, but most are probably more.
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