Positive: Input for Audio and Video, great pricing at less than $80, includes AC adapter and car adapter, built-in rechargeable battery.

Negative: Cannot receive signals while in a car (or in motion: more info), no removable battery makes the Axion AXN-8701 a tough choice for extreme weather or emergency use conditions.

Overall:  Great value and sure to satisfy needs for a small portable television.

Price: $79.99 @ Amazon

Reviewed On: 2/15/10
Last Updated: 2/15/10

MDTV Review

The Axion AXN-8701 is one of many new handheld televisions currently available to consumers looking for a small portable television with a built-in digital tuner.  It’s (W x D x H):  7.3 inches x 5.8 inches x 1.3 inches chassis is wrapped in black plastic with small grey plastic buttons for power, volume, channel, settings, and input selection.

With a built-in DTV tuner, the AXN-8701 will indeed pull in digital channels, but only if the conditions are just right.  The small antenna that is shipped with this unit is only good for reception of TV signals located approximtely 10 miles or less from broadcast towers.  A good rule of thumb for estimating reception on a handheld TV is: consider your home antenna TV setup.  If you’re able to receive channels at home with an indoor antenna; chances are good that you’ll be able to receive channels with the small built-in antenna.  If you rely on an outdoor antenna, you may need to order an additional external antenna for the Axion AXN-8701.  This unit does have an input for external connection of an antenna and will not require any modification to plug in if you use coax cable to connect the two.

The viewing resolution of the AXN-8701 has never been published by manufacture Axion.  We do know that the AXN-8701 has a “7-inch widescreen LCD mobile TV with hi-resolution”.

Key Features:

• 7-inch widescreen LCD mobile TV with hi-resolution and hi-brightness
• Brightness adjustable
• A/V Input for external audio/video sources
• Built-in speaker
• Built-in rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery
• Card style remote control
• Headphone jack and volume control
• Free portable external antenna provided for stronger reception

The AXN-8701 is average when it comes to built-in features.  While it does offer audio/video input for DVD or video game connection, it lacks USB and (SD) media card input for viewing pictures or movies from an iPhone or digital camera.  At the price point we mentioned above, we still believe the AXN-8701 is a good buy.  You may also want to consider the Viore PLC7V95 7-Inch Handheld TV which has recently had its price reduced.

The Built-in rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery will provide up to 100 minutes of television viewing on a full charge.  You may be dissapointed to hear that the AC car adapter will only power the AXN-8701 but not recharge its battery.  For those seeking a long lasting TV for use during emergency or sever weather use may also want to know that the built-in battery cannot be replaced.

Addtional Pictures of the Axion AXN-8701

Related posts:

1. Affordable Handheld TVs with built-in DTV tuners

Our review focuses on the 4 most popular (for 2010) handheld TV sets w/ built-in digital tuners on the market.

Reminder: The handhelds featured in this review are built with an ATSC tuner, not capable of receiving broadcast signals while in motion. (More info)

Price: $79.54 @ Amazon

Positive:
7-inch portable LCD TV with ATSC/NTSC tuner, that WILL work after the 6/12/2009 Digital Transition
Selectable screen aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3
Audio/video jack and coaxial output; detachable antenna
rechargeable Li-polymer battery

Negative:
Some reviews have reported a battery life of approximtely 2 to 2 1/2 hours

The bottom line:
The HLT71 includes an AC power adapter, a car adapter, and the digital tuner seems to rate well with reception of DTV signals. At the current price point, the Haier HLT71 has been the current top seller at Amazon for mobile DTVs.

Product Description:
Haier Hlt71 7″ Portable Lcd Tv7″ Lcd Tv; Electronic Volume Control; Selectable 4:3 Or 16:9 Aspect Ratio; Auto Search; A/V Stereo Inputs; Closed Caption ; Includes Remote And Rechargeable Battery; Dim: 5.6″H X 7.5″W X 1.1″D

Price: $73.35 @ Amazon

Positive:
Built-in NTSC/ATSC tuner for both analog and digital channels – so it WILL work after the June 12, 2009 Digital Transition
7-Inch widescreen LCD portable handheld TV
A/V input for external audio/video sources
Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery

Negative:
Built-in antenna – Bunnyears style (Not always good for reception of DTV signals)
Battery cannot be charged while TV is plugged into car adapter

The bottom line:
The AXN-8701 has nice built-in features such as an A/V input for external audio/video sources (ie: video games, VCR, DVD, etc.). Light weight, compact, and a Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery makes this portable TV a good choice.

Product Description:
7″ widescreen LDC mobile TV with hi-resolution and hi-brightnessBuild in NTSC/ATSC tuner for both analog and digital channelsBrightness adjustableBuild-in antenna allows easy repositioning for receptionA/V input for external audio/video sourcesBuild-in speakerBuild-in rechargeable lithium-polymer batteryCard style remoter controlHeadphone jack and volume control

Price: $99.99 @ Amazon

Positive:
ATSC Tuner, that WILL work after the 6/12/2009 Digital Transition
7″ Widescreen LCD Digital TV
3-in-1 Card Reader!! I haven’t seen any other mobile DTV’s with this option yet.
Can use both antenna and cable
Includes two rechargeable Li-ion batteries up to 1.5-hour usage
Built in stereo speakers
Will work with alkaline batteres

Negative:
3.5 Stars out of 5 on Amazon reviews, but most of the bad reviews were because of the the Tivax HiRez7′s reception. As with all handheld DTV’s, you must use a good external antenna. This is especailly important if you’re in a rural area.

The bottom line:
One of the better looking mobile DTVs on the market, lots of options, definitely a unit worth considering.

Product Description:
7-Inch widescreen active matrix TFT screen
Integrated ATSC digital tuner for digital broadcast reception
External rod antenna provided for over-the-air signal reception
Audio/Video inputs for connection to external Audio/Video source
Audio output for connection to external audio systems
Built-in stereo speakers
Earphone output for private listening
Large capacity rechargeable Li-battery
USB Port & Card Slot for playing digital media file
Closed Caption and Parental Control supported
Card style full function remote control
Specifications:
Audio/Video Input
Audio Output
Earphone Output
Antenna Input
Mini USB
3-in-1 Card Reader
12V DC Input for AC-DC Adapter
Input Voltage for AC – DC Adapter: 90 ~ 240V
Power Consumption: Less than 15W
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D): 8.7″ x 5.1″ x 1.2″
Unit Weight: 1.3 lbs

Related posts:

1. In-Depth: Axion AXN-8701 Handheld TV with built-in DTV tuner

LG’s DP570MH mobile digital television set combines a mobile DTV tuner and a DVD player. This unit features a 7-inch tiltable, foldable, wide-screen display (480×234-pixel resolution) and two stereo speakers. Manufacture LG boasts a 2.5 hour battery life while watching TV or up to 4.5 hours during DVD playback. The DP570MH also features USB 2.0 connection for JPEG viewing or WMA music format playback.   When folded closed, the DP570MH measures 9.5 x 6.5 inches.

One of our earlier posts show’s LG demonstrating the DP570MH at CES 2010.  (See the third video)