General Boards > Redecorating and Updating your Motorhome
TV upgrade
Keith Oliver:
I just tried to add some photos and the post went crazy. How do I get photos to upload without making the thread go twice as wide and twice as long as the screen? I cropped my photos so they were less than 1 MB (total including both). The preview screen didn't show the photos, but as soon as I posted, they were huge!
Steve Huber:
Keith,
In Windows 7, select the picture, go to Picture, Compress. On the right side you can select size. Web or Email (probably best) are best options. However, this will permanently resize the picture so you may want to make a copy of the original first.
Steve
Joel Ashley:
Steve is right, Keith. Just cropping the photo may not do it; you need to get the resolution down. This usually doesn't affect the viewing quality when it's posted here, so don't fret about reducing pixel counts. But like Steve says, be sure to make a copy in your album first, then do your resizing using that copy, so you'll still have the original at full resolution.
As to the TV redo, the guys at BCS in Bend suggested I go to 40" Sony or other brand from the 32" Sharp Aquos that came with the coach. My issue is that I love the view out our one-piece windshield, and they said the 40" will require dropping the cherry frame 2-3 inches. The problem with that particular Aquos is that it has 3" side speakers on either side. That makes getting a newer design 40" in that same opening a cinch left to right, but the 40" is taller, pushing the case down where I'd rather not block windshield area.
What I read in Consumer Reports was that there is on the near horizon a new TV style that will take better advantage of the wide box format provided by most movies nowdays. The TV screen is wider than today's units, and of course I'm thinking I should wait for that technology, in which a 40 or 42" set will fit my existing pocket with little or no woodwork modification. The existing home theater center speaker (Bose unfortunately) could be used, but likely a sound bar could be hung on the passenger side, which has space without interfering with the windshield.
BCS recommended, and I agree, that the home theater components should be replaced with like-brand units, so only one modern remote designed to interlink everything is needed. The maze of wires up overhead would be cleaner. And it just gets too darned hot up there, especially in summer if the rig is facing any direction but north, and isn't in shade up front. An active ventilation system will be added if they're going to be taking out the old TV and components anyway, cuz the existing passive ventilation doesn't cut it, even with a small A/C port in the cabinet - it is almost useless against that Sony AM/FM receiver/DVD player's heat output.
When the time comes, since everyone seems to like the work done by Outfitters, I'll get their input in addition to BCS's.
Joel
Keith Oliver:
my upgrade: This leaves space below the TV for the Bluray to be loaded and for its IR port to be seen by the remote. Also, on top of the Bluray, I have located my printer. Both are secured in place by velcro straps. To load paper into the printer the TV has to swing out, but since the printer is wifi enabled, no USB cable is required for its operation. Just swing the TV out to get the printer output.
Not quite done tidying the cables, as I need to put some thought into the length of free cabling to be left.
Also, I have the TV sprung forward on a shock cord, which was adequate for the one short trip we have taken since this modification, but will keep an eye on it on a longer trip, to see how much solid attachment is required.
The only cost here was the TV and the support arm. This was from Costco, about $70. Comes with lots of bolts, lag screws, etc. The cabinet sides at that location are 2, 3/4" panels, into which the lag screws provide a solid mounting for the swing arm. The points of the lag screws just barely protrude through into the cabinet to the right of the TV, so you can see exactly how much wood is providing the secure support. Then the pointy ends can be covered with a dab of caulking so they won't scratch whatever is left in that cabinet.
Paul Bowers:
Keith,
I am in the process this week of updating the TV in my Beaver. It looks like, from your pictures, we have the same cabinet set-up. If it would not be too much trouble could you list the name brand of bracket you used and what TV was used to replace your old unit. I am mainly interested in size. I believe a 32 inch will fit on the outside the original box without a problem.
Normally, Wal-mart or Best Buy would have a wall mount, but so far, I have not been able to find what I want locally.
Thanks in advance...
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