Flat Panel TVs

MikeF · 03-09-2003, 06:39 PM

Has anyone tried installing a Flat Panel TV in their trailer.

I was wondering if they traveled well. I worry about all the bouncing around in a trailer and whether this type of TV could take the abuse.

But if they can, then they have come down a lot in price and they sure would fit nicer than a conventional TV in an Airstream.

Thanks for your comments,

Mike F.

Silvertwinkie · 03-09-2003, 07:42 PM

I've been looking at them as well. They are in cars, so I assume they are just as safe in RVs.

The good ones are still pretty expensive, but deals can be found.

Bottom line is that I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't or couldn't work.

Regards,

Eric

Jabba · 03-09-2003, 07:54 PM

My niece was just looking into a Toshiba 14" w/vcr for $300, my brother said you could get the Toshiba in a 20" w/vcr and dvd for $400. I need to find out where they got it at...

Silvertwinkie · 03-09-2003, 07:58 PM

Jason,

Are those portables that run on DC fed right off the DC circuits or are they regular TV/VCR combos??

Are they LCD flat panels or just flat tubes? Those prices are REALLY good if they are LCD DC vehicle video units like in limos, minivans, etc.

If they are I too want to know who sells them at that price!

Regards,

Eric

thenewkid64 · 03-09-2003, 09:25 PM

I just put one in my MH (Aquos 15 inch LCD). It does not stay on the counter while driving. It lays on the couch to travel. I am looking at mounting options. The input is labled as 12 VDC, but the line cord is to a 120 VAC adapter. I am looking at the accesories to use on 12 VDC only. Of course then my DVD won't work since it is AC only.

From a space standpoint it is great. I replaced a 13 inch Sony and now I have my kitchen counter back.

MikeF · 03-09-2003, 09:29 PM

I think there is a big difference between how smooth your tow vehicle rides and your trailer. To understand this one time I sat in the trailer while my wife pulled me around the campground at 10 MPH for 10 minutes. I couldn't believe how much rougher the ride was. Don't worry I would never try this except under the most controlled environment possible. My wife and I both had walkie talkies on in case something went really wrong.

I'm trying to figure out if these flat screen technology can take the extra abuse from being inside a trailer bouncing down the road. The pop down screens in cars today used to entertain the kids are much smaller screens that don't experience even near the abuse they would in a trailer.

I have started to see them in high end motor homes. But again the road in these 40 foot diesel pushers will be smoother. Haven't seen them offered in any trailers yet.

Ideally I want to find a flat panel in the 12" to 20" range to use as my primary TV in the trailer. There are two types of flat panel technology - LCD based or Plasma. The LCD based are under $1000, and the Plasma are over $1000. I'll bet the combination unit referred to with the VCR and/or DVD was a flat screen regular sized TV. I'll be impressed if it was truely a flat panel and curious where they fit the VCR or DVD player.

The issue still gets back to the durability of the technology. I don't want to spend between $500 and $1000 and destroy it after one road trip.

- Mike F.

- Mike

thenewkid64 · 03-09-2003, 09:34 PM

Mike,

I don't think it was just for show, but at the Sarasota rally they had a new 27 Ft CCD with a wall mounted 15' Aquos flatscreen LCD TV.

I don't think they would have installed one if they thought it would not survive the road trip, or the warranty period. Just my $.02 worth.

MikeF · 03-09-2003, 09:39 PM

Thanks Brett,

That is exactly what I was looking for. Now I will have more confidence in trying to do this.

P.S. Was that the new longer International with the shocking ORANGE accents in it. What did you think about it?

Silvertwinkie · 03-09-2003, 09:42 PM

I agree. I doubt seriously that an LCD could not withstand a trailer being towed.

Another example is a laptop. I haul that thing around all over and I am not as nice as I should be to it. I can promise you that the trailer ride is nothing compare to me lugging mine in an upadded backback riding a bike, or padded bag tossing it in the car, plopping it on a desk, etc.

For the durability is not the issue, it's size and cost.

Regards,

Eric

Tinsel Loaf · 03-09-2003, 09:43 PM

We use a 15" LCD flat panel HDTV ready television in my A/S. After the ac adapter the set draws 14 volts @ 3 amps. When watching a DVD movie the picture is excellent. I use my laptop which has a DVD drive to watch movies. However there is something for all to look out for. Even though the LCD television has a tv tuner it is not an HD tuner so you do not get a really good picture using an antenna or a satellite dish. The picture is a little fuzzy and has a bit of distortion to it. When you see them playing in the stores they look great because they are playing a DVD movie for sales appeal. So folks when you purchase that flat panel tv make sure you have a HDTV tuner in it. Example: HDTV ready tv $ 699.00 US. Same tv with HDTV tuner $ 1,299.00 US. Look before you buy. They do travel well in our A/S and take up little room, only about three inches thick. We enjoy ours but would enjoy it more if we had a HD tuner in it as well.

thenewkid64 · 03-09-2003, 09:53 PM

Mike,

Yes it was the one with the tublar orange dinnete seats. My Wife liked the floorplan, but said she would want it in the Lavender interior color scheme not the orange. The coach decorator added to the theme with a fake gurnsey cowhide beadspread. The media center was a nice touch and it had a dinette and a L shaped couch. Plenty of room and storage.

Silvertwinkie · 03-10-2003, 06:30 AM

Can you tell me the brand 15" LCD that it is and can you also give us a rough cost?

Thanks,

Eric

PatCrusse · 03-10-2003, 07:13 AM

You may concider buying a laptop.

I know that laptops can be pricey, but you can buy a new laptop for around $1,200 with a DVD player and a 15 inch screen.

I bought one, then bought a WINTV tuner made by Haughpauge(sp) for $70. It plugs into the usb port and works great. Gets better reception than my 13 in tube TV.

Think about it... For just over $1,200 you can have a 15 in. TV, DVD player, and have a way to check e-mails, keep track of finances, utilize digital camera pictures on the road, and just about anything else you could think of.

I am going to get a GPS antenna w/software in the next month, too. A seperate GPS with similer features cost $999.

If you look at the whole package, it can save you a lot of money.

Also, laptops work off 120v, or 12v if you purchase a seperate adapter for about $40, or with included battery.

Jabba · 03-10-2003, 07:43 AM

I'm sorry, my mistake, I'm guessing they were flat screen t.v's, so my previous input was irrelevant. What you guys are discussing is very interesting.