Emergency TVs

Best choices for when disasters strike

One popular use for portable TVs is staying in touch during emergencies. Digital portable TVs fall short in that regard because most current models use a proprietary battery rather than conventional AA batteries. While the proprietary batteries can power a portable LCD TV for up to two hours -- or longer if you have charged-up spares on hand -- that's really not long enough in some emergency situations, where power could be out for a day or more.

Like other portable LCD TVs, the Tivax HiRez7 (*Est. $130) uses a replaceable proprietary battery, but the company is set to begin shipping an accessory HiRez7 Docking Station (*Est. $40) in early November that will power the HiRez7 for up to two hours from eight standard AA batteries. The HiRez7 Docking Station also sports improved speakers and a charger. Once the docking station is available, it will make the HiRez7 a worthy consideration for those looking for an emergency TV.

User reviews for the HiRez7 portable digital TV are not very encouraging at the moment, however. Many buyers are disappointed to learn that the docking station is required for AA battery operation and say that marketing is a bit deceptive in that regard. Additionally, the antenna connector isn't a typical coaxial connector; it works fine with the supplied antenna, but requires an adapter that's available either from stores like Radio Shack or from the manufacturer if you want to use an antenna from another maker. Finally, we saw many complaints about the quality of the user manual, though an updated one was recently posted on the manufacturer's website.

Those who are able to look beyond those issues report that the Tivax HiRez7 is actually a pretty decent performer with a tuner section and good picture quality. Unlike most portable LCD TVs, there isn't a built-in antenna, but an external one with a magnetic base is provided. The ability to play back a variety of media files via a built-in SD/MMC/Memory Stick card reader is a nice plus.

We did spot one portable TV that runs directly from standard AA batteries. The New Image Digital 7-inch portable digital TV (*Est. $160) comes with an electrical charger, car charger and an external battery pack that can accept 10 regular or rechargeable AA batteries. Reviews are very limited, though we found a handful at Amazon.com. One owner complains that reception isn't very good and adds that his Haier HLT71 pulls in more stations. Everyone else is pleased, but, again, the small number of user reviews isn't too helpful in rating this TV.