Thinking of Replacing Front TV

THutch · 11-26-2007, 12:56 PM

Ok, we have the Itasca Meridian 34H with the heavy Sony CRT in the front middle cabinet. I beleive all Jouneys and Meridian have this configuration. During the Black Friday sales, I got the idea to replace it with an LCD Flat Screen. I thought a 32" would fit nicely, but they all measure too wide to fit inside-and I don't want a puny 26"

Anybody find one that fits like it belongs there?

THutch · 11-26-2007, 12:56 PM

Ok, we have the Itasca Meridian 34H with the heavy Sony CRT in the front middle cabinet. I beleive all Jouneys and Meridian have this configuration. During the Black Friday sales, I got the idea to replace it with an LCD Flat Screen. I thought a 32" would fit nicely, but they all measure too wide to fit inside-and I don't want a puny 26"

Anybody find one that fits like it belongs there?

Bob Hatch · 11-26-2007, 01:38 PM

Because we couldn't find one that would fit, and was large enough to satisfy our "TV" appetite, we did this.

http://www.bobhatch.com/MotorhomeMod...tall/index.htm

It works for us!

Easyrider · 11-26-2007, 02:46 PM

Very nice install Bob, if you hadn't told us it was a modifided install I would have thought it came stock from the factory that way. Really a nice looking tv and cabinet.

THutch · 11-26-2007, 03:02 PM

Bob,

That's the look I want, but I don't want to do all the cabinet work. A 32" should fit in my existing structure if the sides were thin, and speakers were in the bottom. I hoping some found the magic fit!

Very nice job on yours!

Y-Guy · 11-27-2007, 03:43 PM

Bob that is really sharp looking. Looks like a lot of work, but it paid off - top notch.

rv rick · 11-27-2007, 04:58 PM

I took a long look at an LG 32 and actually removed the front part of the cabinet and took that into the store. The LG had almost the exact width of the cabinet, so we came up with the idea of mounting rails across the opening, inside the TV opening, and attaching a TV wall mount to the rails. This would allow the TV to fasten onto the mount and sit in front of the existing cabinet, but since most of the TV would be recessed in the opening, it would only sit out about 1.5" in front of the cabinet. This actually look like a straightforward install.

The reason I did not do it is that while I loved the HD picture quality, I was very disappointed with the regular cable TV signal. Since I do not want to upgrade the roof dish with an HD dish right now, I gave up on the whole thing and put the heavy Sony back in. At least I am getting good at putting the TV in and out.

majfrizz · 11-28-2007, 02:30 AM

Tom,

i bought a VIZIO 32 inch for home use and is has the speakers on the bottom, which make it nice. paid around $650 for it. i am thinking about buying another for the MH.

B K · 11-28-2007, 09:38 AM

Yea, it's kind of the dirty little secret that alot of HD TVs have terrible low def quality. I got a JVC and it's regular reception (480i I believe) is excellent. Check reviews on the sets you're interested in.

JB Texas · 11-28-2007, 05:28 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by B K:
Yea, it's kind of the dirty little secret that alot of HD TVs have terrible low def quality. I got a JVC and it's regular reception (480i I believe) is excellent. Check reviews on the sets you're interested in. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If you have a DirecTV receiver, you might want to think about replacing it with an HD receiver (H20-600) which improves the quality of standard broadcast output and can recieve OTA HD signals. A more complicated dish with multiple LNB's is required for satellite HD broadcasts.

B K · 11-29-2007, 07:52 AM

With a regular sat box, make sure to hook up the video using the S video output if available. Much better than composite (yellow RCA plug) or RF (coax).

THutch · 11-29-2007, 11:30 AM

You are all bringing up other reasons I'm being slow about going into this. We have Direct TV with the fold-down Wineguard AS-2003 Auto-seeking dish. I'm thinking that it will not receive HD. It has been flakey lately, so I have been hesitant to get it looked at, since I may be replacing it. Plus, I will need an HD receiver. I have an HD receiver - bought at a yard sale - so if I stick my good card in, will it work? I know I will need to subscribe to HD package to get an HD signal, but do I need to "register" the receiver just to have it work? Or is the card "linked" to the receiver?

Still haven't got a suggestion on a good fitting replacement. As Rick pointed out, there are a couple that could be mounted just sticking out the front, and I believe the cabinet doors to the side would still clear, but I was hoping to be able to go inside.

RickO · 11-29-2007, 01:35 PM

I just installed a 32" in the bedroom of our coach and love it! I ended up with the Sony Bravia ($799 at Sears) not only because I have always liked Sony but because it was about the only one I could find that fit the available space. It measures 21 1/4" by 31 3/8" with the bottom speaker set up and stand removed. I'm going to use a tilt wall mount with the stock mounting frame... although I might have to beef up that frame by having another plate welded to it.

Next comes the 37" for the living area!

Izzyblueye · 11-30-2007, 08:06 AM

THUTCH: I also bought a brand new receiver at a garage sale. Could NOT use my old card in the new receiver. They are keyed to the serial number. They tried to charge me $20.00 for a new card. We argued, they sent new card FREE. Spent 20 minutes on the phone punching in numbers etc.