General Boards > Redecorating and Updating your Motorhome

VCR Needed w/ Flat Panel TVs?

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Jerry Carr:
W had at one time a selector box but we removed it when we upgraded the TV's thei only thing we have not do is change the drop down 42" set up front. When we do change this one out I plan to run a new HDMI cable the 06 model didn't include the standard HD cable.

Edward Buker:
If you plan on using anything larger than a 26 inch TV you should try and revamp your cabling to HDMI. HD equipment is here to stay and the older switch box will not serve you well. Basically you want to bring signal into the new TV from the coach terrestrial antenna and all other sources directly to the TV inputs using the best available method that you can using your TV as a switch box. The order from low quality to high is RF over RG59 cable (your VCR has an RF modulator that sends signal over channel 3 or 4 for example), RF over RG6U cable, Composite Video, Component Video and finally HDMI cabling. The one exception is a high definition signal from a terrestrial antenna over RG59 or RG6U.  (RG6U is the lower loss preffered cable for a digital siganl antenna system)

These are some general rules where you do the best you can within the limitations of a motor home installation and how much work amd access you have to run cables. There are those folks who really could care less about high definition also, they just want to catch the news. Hope this helps.

Later Ed

Steve Huber:
Ed,
Good inputs. I assume you used an HDMI splitter to feed 2 TVs from the sat rcvr. How much problem did you have running the HDMI cable to the bdrm TV?
You almost have to go to HDMI as most of the newer sets only have 1 component input, forcing you to use a switch to accommodate both the Sat TV and the DVD component feeds.
Thx, Steve

Edward Buker:
Steve,

This is where it is a matter of choices and how much trouble you want to go through for each TV installation and what your cabling options are in your particular coach. You could use an HDMI splitter. Up through 26 inch screens I am happy with component or composite video. My satellite receiver also uses a UHF selectable channel to send out an RF version over RG59 or RG6U that is a decent video source up through the 26inch size screen but not quite as good as the composite video, component video being better yet.

My situation is a satellite receiver with two tuners in a rear closet so I used a composite video cable into a 26inch rear LCD TV that I added. I have a 42 inch swing down TV in the living area that is 40ft from the receiver with no usable coach cabling but we needed HDMI quality signal so the following option worked well. HDMI cable ends are large requiring a very large hole to run them, probably 7/8inch. Because you cannot put the HDMI end plugs on yourself after running the cable, they are problematic for a retrofit. HDMI signals can be run through a pair of Cat5 networking cables that you can add plugs on afterwards requiring just a 1/4 inch hole. The signal is converted using some power amplifed Baluns to an HDMI cable format and they work very well. This method handled 1080p/120HZ signals without an issue in my case. These may support 240hz but I have not tried that. If you go this route you should check your TV specs against the Balun specs for the particular manufacturer.

Each installation is different and the choices are personal ones regarding picture quality. If you can run two HDMI cables and hide them well that would be a first choice. From there you do your best. These are a couple of photos of the Cat 5 cable method which I tucked under the ceiling panels for routing.

Later Ed

Mike.Way:
Ed, where did you source the connector/adapter from cat 5 to HDMI?  I assume cat 6 would work as well?

Thanks,

Mike

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