What's The Smallest TV Available (to Live on Kitchen Bench)

Russ on 31/08/2025 - 10:39
Last edited 31/08/2025 - 15:56

Edit: a solution has been found that I think my relative will like, Link.

A elderly relative of mine has a TV in their kitchen, which doesn't work with the new way TV stations are transmitting their content. As the TV stations are upgrading to higher compression, they "disappear" from the channel list.

I tried retuning their TV yesterday, and only one channel 9 channel came up, and no channel 7 channels. Until recently all the SD channels were working. I don't remember if the HD channels were also available.

As the TV lives on a kitchen bench, and is mostly viewed "up close", my relative wants a small TV with a small "footprint". Wall mounting is out of the question, my relative doesn't want holes drilled in the tiled walls. I also suggested a mount "hanging" from the cupboards above the bench, they didn't like that idea either. And there's no "lip" on the benchtop to attach a clamp-type monitor arm, so the TV will have to sit on the bench.

The old TV is a 19-inch model, and my relative wants to stay around the same size. I can't find any televisions that small, the smallest appears to be 24 inches, and they're all 12V models intended for caravans. Not sure if 12V TVs will last as long as "normal" TVs with a built-in mains power supply.

Alternatively Officeworks has a 21.5-inch monitor with built-in speakers, so in theory this could be used with a set-top box. Could a set-top box be attached to the back of the monitor, using the VESA mounting holes on the monitor? I know this will mean remote-control operation will be depending on reflection to work, but there are white cabinets above the bench, and the remote will be used at close range, so it should work.

So, suggestions please on how to achieve what my relative wants:

  • TV viewing with small screen size around 20 inches
  • Not wall mounted
  • Small "footprint" on the kitchen bench
  • Not a "pocket" (rechargeable) TV

Thanks!

Electrical & Electronics TV

Comments

  • simplystu on 31/08/2025 - 10:48
    +3

    Alot of modern kitchens == android tablet, wall mounted.
    Then connected to home assistant.

    Anything andriod based (or a screen connected to a PI).

    Would avoid a standalone TV.

    • Russ on 31/08/2025 - 10:53

      I should have mentioned this is for an elderly relative, so a remote control is the best "user interface". Remote is in a zip-loc bag for protection from food ingredients.

      I've added "elderly" to the post.

  • plmko on 31/08/2025 - 10:56
    +1

    You should measure the TV size and foot print. Just because 19" is a smaller size than 24" doesn't mean it will be much smaller than what is available today due to the bezel.

  • mapax on 31/08/2025 - 11:26
    +3

    Maybe I’m slow today and missed it, but instead of buying a monitor and set top box why not just buy a $50 set top box and use that with the existing TV?

    • AndyC1 on 31/08/2025 - 11:33

      I agree. OP posted that they were considering a monitor and set top box so there may be some reason that has not been included in the post as to why, but I have no idea.
      Would be the cheapest option, but some old cheap TV's from last century had missing input options to the TV's from this century.

    • Russ on 31/08/2025 - 13:56
      +1

      use that with the existing TV?

      The existing TV is quite old. I know who bought and installed the TV, and I know when they died. That makes the TV at least 15 years old, and probably about 20 years old. The power button on the remote failed years ago, so my elderly relative has a sticker on the front of the TV indicating the location of the TV's physical power switch on the rear of the TV, which they've been using.

      I expect the TV or its power switch to fail soon, so a complete refresh is preferred.

      A new small TV is preferred over a set top box + monitor, as I won't need to mount and connect the set top box, and a TV only needs one power point. But a set top box + monitor seems to be the smallest option, so I'll probably have to go that way.

  • AndyC1 on 31/08/2025 - 11:28

    Set top Box that has HDMI support and a computer monitor with built in speakers as most TV's are 32".

    Other options are to use google to see if there are any 22 or 24" TV's available near you from a bricks and mortar store so you can check that they do support all of the DVB-T channels.

  • brendanm on 31/08/2025 - 11:58

    Caravan/boat/RV tv.

  • mskeggs on 31/08/2025 - 12:40
    +1

    How about a small monitor and a tuner box?
    That way there is no “tv” interface to learn, just the tuner box menu/channel list with its remote. Still gets the familiar tv stations, and the small portable monitors range from 10inch up.

  • aboabo on 31/08/2025 - 14:11

    STB + Monitor. No big deal.

  • eug on 31/08/2025 - 14:19
    +1

    I didn't think Andy's dad was that old!

  • sumyungguy on 31/08/2025 - 15:34
    +1

    A benchtop stand may allow you to accommodate a slightly bigger screen.

    • Russ on 31/08/2025 - 15:53

      Thank you! That's an excellent idea, because that stand has a flat base that a small set-top box can sit on.

      This is the option I'll recommend to my relative - your stand or a similar one, plus the monitor listed in the post, plus a small set-top box.

  • GordonD on 31/08/2025 - 18:55
    -3

    Get a HDHomeRun tuner, and you can watch TV on your phone if you want to. Or a tablet. Or a PC with a small screen. And its a phone/tablet/PC when you don't want to watch TV. In fact I'm watching TV now in a window in the top right hand corner of the screen of my PC running windows while I do Windows stuff on the rest of the screen.

    You just locate your HDHomeRun near your TV antenna socket, connect it to your wifi or wired LAN, and get TV through that.

    Edit: Bad news, they seem to have given up on Australia.

    • iguana on 31/08/2025 - 21:01

      Terrible idea. Did you even see who this was for?

  • bamzero on 01/09/2025 - 10:45

    Check your local give away groups or Marketplace too (I've got an old 27" that I can't even give away). Good chance you'll get a smaller TV for free (whether the tuner is capable or not is another thing)

    • Russ on 02/09/2025 - 19:18

      That's bizarre. Says "216x135 pixels" and also says "HD video". Both can't be true!

      Also not a TV, at best it's a video player.

      But thanks for the interesting link!

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