General Boards > Redecorating and Updating your Motorhome
VCR Needed w/ Flat Panel TVs?
Edward Buker:
Mike,
I assume Cat 6 would work but I have heard that Cat 5 is better in this application. I would follow adapter cabling instructions as to the type of cable. I actually got my adapters through a family member who is in the business and they were made by Niles. They are a good outfit but their components are pricey unless you have a source. This adapter set seems to be well rated on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/J-Tech-Digital-Extender-Certified-Bandwidth/dp/B003EE8OL6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1346209121&sr=8-6&keywords=cat5+to+hdmi+converter The good thing about Amazon is that they will allow returns if these do not work well for you.
Later Ed
Mike.Way:
Thanks Ed,
Looks feasible for my needs. Also thanks for the tutorial on the wifi extender earlier.
Mike
Edward Buker:
Mike,
Have fun with this project, it is a rewarding one, given the vast improvement in picture quality and the hiding of the cables. If you put your own Cat5/6 cable ends on you will need a special crimping tool. They are not hard to use, a couple of practice wire alignment and crimps and you will be well on your way. Your welcome on the WiFi extender project. Maybe someday campground Wifi will be so good that we won't have the need for this option, that would be nice.
Later Ed
Steve Huber:
Completed the conversion to flat screens. Put doors (“plagerized with pride” from Jim Cazazza’s example) on the existing TV box fronts. I was able to remove the VCR, replacing it with a coax jumper as I’m using the existing coax circuit for antenna and shore cable. Since I don’t have a HD dish, I decided to run composite signals for the satellite. It worked out well as I was able to use existing wiring. The only real mod was to add a DVD player in the bedroom which freed up the existing DVD cable to route satellite composite to the bedroom set. I used the component outputs from the DVDs to route to the sets as they had both composite and component inputs. Both sets are 26”. I was going to put a 32” in the front but after holding it in place, we opted for the 26”. For anyone considering a 32 or larger Vizio, you’ll find that they only have a component input, no composite. I routed the front TV optical audio back to the stereo receiver TV input through an optical to RCA jack converter. This works great as the stereo rcvr reflects whatever is on the TV w/o having to select different inputs on it. For mounts, I used Vizio’s XMT500. They are 1.5” thick, tilt up to 10 degrees, hold up to 50 lbs and take 19” – 37” sets for less than $22. When I upgrade to HD, I’ll convert to HDMI cables but this works great for now and is a major improvement in picture quality. Plus, I got a place to mount my printer (front TV cabinet) and the boss got the rear cabinet.
Thanks to all for the valuable inputs. It made the job much easier.
Steve
Dick Simonis:
Steve, that is one nice looking installation.
I'll be tackling mine when we get back to Green Valley but I'm still unsure just how I want to do this. We currently have a 26" Visio and, somehow, I intend to cram a 32" in there. The one I'm looking at is a Samsung that is only 29" wide (3" more than the 26"). It will be very interesting to get into all the cables as Dan at BCS has done a lot of work back there and I have 3 A/B switchs, one DuoChannel sat receiver/DVR plus a DVD player. That's in addition the push button selector switch and OTA antenna stuff off to the left of the TV.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/tvs/lcd-and-plasma-tvs-ratings/models/overview/samsung-un32eh5000-99045005.htm
I'll need to be mindful of the audio input to the Bose system but that seems to be wired to the Sat receiver as sound plays with the TV off.
I'm sure the 32" will interfere with the left front cabinet door but that is seldom used and I'm hoping I can find a mount that will let me swing the TV for access.
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