What BRAND LCD?

[Sandy H]

Last year, after purchasing my 25' Safari, I bought a 14" Toshiba t.v. set & a separate DVD player (which I have never taken out of the box & connected to the t.v. set!). I am definitely electronically challenged! Anyway, luckily for me, I bought the Purchase Protection Plan from Sears when I bought my t.v.-- because the cable connector recently broke off and I was able to return the t.v. for a new one. While there, I asked if instead of exchanging for another set like the one I had, I could pay the difference and buy an LCD set. Answer: Yes. But ....... I'm sure that Sears cannot/will not INSTALL the LCD in my Safari. I contacted Camping World today & asked if they would install a t.v. purchased from Sears. Answer: No! The only choice that they have to purchase is a COBY LCD t.v. Any opinions on Coby? Thanks much! Or somewhere other than Camping World that may have other choices???

[uwe]

Originally Posted by Sandy H

The only choice that they have to purchase is a COBY LCD t.v. Any opinions on Coby? Thanks much! Or somewhere other than Camping World that may have other choices???

Sandy,

Why not the Airstream dealer's service center? Or, a local car stereo place, they often specialize in mobile video as well.
We have a member of the forum that does just that, but his handle escapes my mind right now...I will pm you if I remember.

[SilverRanger]

For what it's worth, Viewsonic makes a gadget (VB50hrtv) that converts any type of computer monitor into a high resolution television. It has RF (cable), composite (RCA), and s-video inputs, so you can hook up multiple devices, and it comes with a remote control. It costs about $100. It hooks in-line so you can still use it as a computer monitor, yet works independently of the computer. It might be a good thing for those who are trying to conserve space.

http://www.viewsonic.com/support/tve...sors/vb50hrtv/

[cosmotini]

Hi Sandy,

Your A/S Dealer should be able to install an LCD mount in the Safari for you. My dealer installed the same unit that the factory uses. I bought a 15" Sharp Aquos and installed it on the mount myself. Not quite as nice as the factory install but about $1500 cheaper.

I also installed a 17" widescreen Toshiba with a built in DVD player in the bedroom. I just bought a simple lcd mount for it. It doesn't articulate left/right. It has minor up/down adjustment but works great when wanting to watch a movie in bed.

The installation is really very easy. If you want to tie into the sound system, then it can be more of a challenge. We only use the built in speakers of the TV's.

Good luck,

Dennis

[mcneon]

Originally Posted by SilverRanger

For what it's worth, Viewsonic makes a gadget (VB50hrtv) that converts any type of computer monitor into a high resolution television. It has RF (cable), composite (RCA), and s-video inputs, so you can hook up multiple devices, and it comes with a remote control. It costs about $100. It hooks in-line so you can still use it as a computer monitor, yet works independently of the computer. It might be a good thing for those who are trying to conserve space.

This device works very well. And if anyone wants one, I have one I'll sell very reasonably. I bought it for motorhome duty a year or so ago, but now I've obsoleted it. Email me if interested: mcneon@bellsouth.net.

Bob

[Joe Z]

Originally Posted by Sandy H

Or somewhere other than Camping World that may have other choices???

Sandy - Where is Kingwood, TX? If it's close to Austin I'd be willing to install it for you and even make some recommendations on what type of TV you should purchase and where you should purchase it from. Costco here in Austin currently has some excellent prices on a wide range of LCD TV's.

Check out the below link to the TV install I did in my Airstream. It's post #10 on the thread:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...4&page=2&pp=20

I purchased the factory mounting plate and purchased the same telescoping arm that they use off of ebay for far less than Airstream charges for it.

Joe

[desi arnaz]

i just bought a 15 incher for $299 on sale at kame apart. it is a memorex with a remote,speakers and i think it may even be able to run on 12 volts,great picture also

[Westfalia]

I was looking at this Maganavox 15" LCD on Amazon for $284 (which is really a rebranded Philips unit), but I saw that it only accepts 120V plug in. There is not power brick, so no hope of converting to 12V. If this doesn't bother you, I would probably jump on it!

As for the Coby brand, I would stay away from the off brand unless you have the chance to play with it. LCS TV's are finicky beasts. Some will provide better display results with weak broadcast signals than others, other have better video processors (called scalers). If you ever plan on plugging a laptop into one, you want to make sure that it supports a resolution of at least 1024x768. Many of the cheaper panels only support 640x480.

[Condoluminum]

Coby is a really cheap Chinese brand (may be redundant..) and I would not bother buying one..

We put Sharp Aquos 15" model LCD into our trailer, and decided not to bother with permanent mount. All LCD's (modestly sized..) have 4 hole "Vesa" mounting system on back, and computer stores sell monitor mounts that are simpler and less expensive than TV mounts... Mounting is really not that difficult.. We run Laptop/DVD Drive as DVD player with S-Video cable into TV. No HD yet...

We also decided that permanent mount on wall would add vibratin and stresses we didn't want, so we simply used industrial strength picture hook on wall by refrigerator, and then we store TV unit wrapped in foam in side panel by couch.. Power supply/cords are mounted semi-permanently, and time to set up or take down is a few minutes or so on each trip..

John McG

[PWRSTRK]

We installed two Toshibas with the built-in DVD players... a 15" in the bedroom and a 17" in the salon... we love them. I used arms to install them on the a/s shelf systems and reinforced the shelf systems. Working great.

P.S. My mother, the Quilting Queen of northeast Wisconsin, made two quilted covers for the TVs which stabilize them during travel and which, of course, match the bed quilt.


Tom

[Westfalia]

Looks like the 15" might be the Toshiba SD-P5000. How well does it fold up for travel storage if you didn't want to wall mount it?

[PWRSTRK]

Very well... either one would do that well. Especially if you have arm rest storage as has been previously mentioned.


I particularly wanted the custom look and convenience of the wall mounting. And in the bedroom if it's not wall mounted we'd have to put it away at night before sleeping and after our evening "Sex and the City" so it wouldn't get knocked off, and onto the dog, during the night!

[SilverRanger]

I kind of like the way Airstream installed the 15" Sharp Aquos in my Bambi. They mounted it to the racks above the reefer so it extends out and can face front or back. To secure it for travelling, they have a heavy velcro strap that holds it firmly against the wall. Other than installing a 17", there's not much I would have done differently. One thing I'm not too crazy about is how they wired the subwoofer so it's constantly on. I plan to put in a switch so it won't drain the batteries.

[PWRSTRK]

[QUOTE=SilverRanger]I kind of like the way Airstream installed the 15" Sharp Aquos in my Bambi. They mounted it to the racks above the reefer so it extends out and can face front or back. To secure it for travelling, they have a heavy velcro strap that holds it firmly against the wall. QUOTE]


I took Airstream's cue and bought velcro straps... they were completely inadequate to the job, I found. That's why the soft, quilted covers, which are protecting the TVs much better some 4000 miles later...

[Joe Z]

[QUOTE=PWRSTRK]I took Airstream's cue and bought velcro straps... they were completely inadequate to the job, I found.QUOTE]

Did you buy the wall mount and velcro straps from Airstream? I bought that that set-up from Airstream and it is one of the few things that did not move when I was rear ended by an 18 wheeler. Not to mention they were holding a 20" LCD. Joe

[desi arnaz]

the memorex for $299 at k mart seems to have a power brick, so i would say it will work on 12v also? i will get the meter out in the morning.

[GlenCoombe]

Sandy, the installation of the LCD is not as hard as you might think. Most wall mounts are 4 screws total. Finding a rib to drill into is not that hard.

I'm not familiar with Coby. My Sceptre 20" LCD monitor/TV has been great. I've driven over 40,000 miles with it hanging on the wall of my MH and have had no trouble at all with it. I bought it as an open box return from 1st Wind of Columbia SC.

I bought a wall mount from an eBay seller. The attachment of the mount side to the LCD is an industry mandated (VISA) mount pattern with four small machine bolts. Once you have the mount on the LCD you marry two sides (wall mount ~ LCD mount) while someone holds it up for you.

Now if you're planning to mount it in a cabinet it gets a little more tricky but I'm sure with a little planning this is a DIY job for sure.

[SilverRanger]

PWRSTRK
"I took Airstream's cue and bought velcro straps... they were completely inadequate to the job, I found. That's why the soft, quilted covers, which are protecting the TVs much better some 4000 miles later..."



The straps that Airstream installed are heavy duty velcro approx. 2" wide, and are integrated into the mount. The whole arrangement is solid as a rock. There are some pictures in my gallery.

[Sandy H]

I sent you a message about the LCD. I keep my Safari in New Braunfels, which, as you know, is just a "hop, skip & jump" away from Austin! Please read your message & reply. Thanks!

[Sandy H]

I appreciate all the feedback that I've received re: LCD t.v.'s. I haven't made a decision yet (had a lot going on), so I've still got the option of keeping the 14" Toshiba w/built-in DVD that Sears exchanged the damaged t.v. for.