HD TV --- now what?

[BaywoodBill]

So I got the $40 buck-off coupon and I bought a little HDTV converter and then I looked at the TV.

The wires from the TV go into a hole in a wall and behind the refrigerator. Have any of you installed a converter? Where did you find the wires?

I mean, how did you hook the TV to the converter?

[mpsan]

So I got the $40 buck-off coupon and I bought a little HDTV converter and then I looked at the TV.

The wires from the TV go into a hole in a wall and behind the refrigerator. Have any of you installed a converter? Where did you find the wires?

I mean, how did you hook the TV to the converter?

It depends on the converter. I plan to run the antenna from out of that "hole in the wall" to the "antenna in" on the converter. Then out the converter to the TV. You could then power the converter from the AC under the TV. You could also have a splitter and have it so that if a park you are staying in has cable, you should not need the converter. No splitter needed if converter has a bypass. Depending on the converter, you could use the audio/video in on the TV, too.

Now, back to Batteries... :smirk:

[BaywoodBill]

Thanks mspan,

Are you saying that one of those wires in the bundle coming out ot the hole in the wall is the antenna? Where to you plan to put your converter?

On ours, the TV runs of an inverter in the cupboard above the TV. There are 2 110V outlets on the inverter and I thought I would put the converter above the inverter, plug it into the inverter, and then run wires from inside that cupboard to the TV or vice versa are somewhere or other.

When I looked at it I was stuck.

Did you get your $40 discount coupon yet? I think the offer ends this month.

[mpsan]

I did not get my coupon yet as I thought they were only good for 90 days. Anyway, our TV runs on 12V. The bundle from the wall should include a black coax line to the TV's antenna input. In my case, I think I will just keep it packed for when we may be in an RV park without cable. I do not have a large inverter, but I do have a very small one that may work when dry camping.

[mpsan]

OH, one other note...the converter is for Digital TV. It is a common issue. It is like saying all dogs are animals so all animals are dogs. :-)
ie: all HDTV is digital, but NOT all digital is HD....SD will be broadcast in digital as well.

[BaywoodBill]

Ah.... the 12v TV. They put those in on later models. Good move.

[mpsan]

Ah.... the 12v TV. They put those in on later models. Good move.

Mine is an 05/06 LSS.

[Don Horner]

I'm reviving this thread because I just got a converter box and haven't figured out what to do with it.

Baywood Bill and I have nearly identical Leisure Travel Vans with 110v TV's that run off an inverter. LTV has both a rooftop antenna (with a built-in booster) and a cable hookup. There are three outputs for coaxial RF cables -- one at the indoor TV location, one near the sliding door and one outside, on the passenger side of the van, along with a mount for the swivel wall mount, so a TV can be placed outside when parked.

The problem is that all of the wiring is concealed. All three of the connections can oputput both an antenna signal and a cable signal. Somehow, the two sources (antenna and cable) are combined in the concealed wiring. When autoprogramming the TV, one selects whether the signal is cable or antenna. However, it is possible for the signals to interfere with each other. For example, if one is hooked to cable at an RV park, if the antenna booster is turned on, the cable picture gets all fuzzy.

This mystery wiring makes the hookup of a digital converter box complicated (if not impossible). If the converter is placed on the coax, there is no way to differentiate whether it is a cable signal or an antenna signal that is being passed into the TV. If there were two separate outputs, one for cable and one for antenna, with an A/B switch, it would be easy to install the converter on the antenna cable, then into the A/B switch. But, there are not, and I can't figure out what to do with the converter.

I'm about to give up and simply buy and install a new digital TV.

[BaywoodBill]

I'm reviving this thread because I just got a converter box and haven't figured out what to do with it.

Baywood Bill and I have nearly identical Leisure Travel Vans with 110v TV's that run off an inverter. LTV has both a rooftop antenna (with a built-in booster) and a cable hookup. There are three outputs for coaxial RF cables -- one at the indoor TV location, one near the sliding door and one outside, on the passenger side of the van, along with a mount for the swivel wall mount, so a TV can be placed outside when parked.

The problem is that all of the wiring is concealed. All three of the connections can oputput both an antenna signal and a cable signal. Somehow, the two sources (antenna and cable) are combined in the concealed wiring. When autoprogramming the TV, one selects whether the signal is cable or antenna. However, it is possible for the signals to interfere with each other. For example, if one is hooked to cable at an RV park, if the antenna booster is turned on, the cable picture gets all fuzzy.

This mystery wiring makes the hookup of a digital converter box complicated (if not impossible). If the converter is placed on the coax, there is no way to differentiate whether it is a cable signal or an antenna signal that is being passed into the TV. If there were two separate outputs, one for cable and one for antenna, with an A/B switch, it would be easy to install the converter on the antenna cable, then into the A/B switch. But, there are not, and I can't figure out what to do with the converter.

I'm about to give up and simply buy and install a new digital TV.

Hi Don,

I bought a converter box a couple of months ago and I was in a similar quandry. I put the converter under my desk while I contemplated some more.

Next time I was out to the old Free Spirit I saw these 4 plugs on the side of the TV. Then I looked up above in the cabinet.

I haven't done it yet, but I think I can just stick the converter on somewhere with velcro and use the cables that hook up to the TV because one of those cables is for sure going to be the antenna, right?

Anyway, come the first of the year, I will probably get the thing hooked up. It just seemed to come to ma a lot clearer after I noticed those 4 cables.

Like you I at first thought I'd forget the box I had just bought and spring for a HD TV. That would be a lot harder to work out.

[Huck]

I've been wondering how best to get thru the digital change. I bought a converter, for a cottage tv, and am not satisfied that it is the answer I want for my LTV. Because it has it's own remote and becomes the control for the tv it will require mounting outside, not in a cabinet. I've looked at WalMart at a digital ready replacement tv they run $300 - $400. Some have DVD player included; my LTV has a Sony radio that is also the DVD player for the Sony TV. Don't know how these might mate up.

I'll keep monitoring this thread for ideas.


Huck

[Don Horner]

Bill, if you have the Samsung SyncMaster 710MP like mine (17" non-digital TV and computer monitor), the ports on the side are used for output to the under-cabinet speakers (blue cable) and input from the built-in DVD (yellow, white and red cables). If you don't have the DVD player, the yellow-red-white connectors can be used to accept the signal from the converter.

But, that's not the problem. The problem is that both the cable hookup (the coax connection built in to the electrical and water box on the driver's side) and the antenna feed into the same coax going to the TV. The TV can be selected to determine if the signal is from the antenna or cable (CATV), but the digital converter box has no such capability. It gets a signal from the coax, and has not way to determine if it is from cable or antenna.

[BaywoodBill]

Hi Don,

I see you have dug into this more than I have. At least you found a co-ax cable. Congratulations. Yet, having found the cable, you have created a bigger problem than we already had.

I just sent an e-mail to Wally to ask him to post something to this thread. In the meantime, we aren't losing TV programming.

Half the time I'm traveling (If I have TV at all) I'm hooked up to cable; the rest of the time I get it from the antenna.

Let's hope Wally has something to tell us.

And, yes, I have the Samsung.

[What Next]

OK Guys I have the same thing 05 Free Spirit same TV although I replaced it with a new 19 inch $299 Insignia from Best Buy I love it .
I will try to answer some ??? I have the rv tv in house on converter.

( For example, if one is hooked to cable at an RV park, if the antenna booster is turned on, the cable picture gets all fuzzy.)
Please turn off booster your picture will be great.

( But, that's not the problem. The problem is that both the cable hookup (the coax connection built in to the electrical and water box on the driver's side) and the antenna feed into the same coax going to the TV. The TV can be selected to determine if the signal is from the antenna or cable (CATV), but the digital converter box has no such capability. It gets a signal from the coax, and has not way to determine if it is from cable or antenna. )
If I turn off my converter ( Best Buy Insignia) it is dead and any other signals passes through. Be it cable, sat. or regular tv.

The converter is the easy to hook up just take the wire on back of Syncmaster marked tv, plug that into converter in then take the other coax from converter out to the tv plug on back of tv. Now you will have to mount converter some place that the remote can see it, maybe above tv. Don't block that little signal reciever in the corner or the dvd remote will have a bad time. In my house I have a tv antenna booster ON so I would think you would use booster when watching antenna tv. You could use the colored wires but then the dvd is left out. One other thing the booster has to be plugged in so drop a string down from dvd cabinet and pull cord through I don't know if you will be able to run converter box off that inverter I use to run computer and tv at same time but with new tv I can only run one . Here is a little thing I did a long time ago I didn't like the buzz from inverter so I drilled a hole through to cupboard above microwave and I plug tv into the same place as microwave it has two plug in . Of course if I don't have electric I have to use inverter. That Syncmaster really works good in the house great picture. I recieve 29 station 50 miles from Chicago. In van on antenna I get 26 channels up from 10 to 12. I spend alot of time in van 114 days last year and so far 138 this year so I like a good tv.

[BaywoodBill]

Thanks WHATNEXT. I think I understand. After I read it a few more times I'm sure it will soak in.

[BaywoodBill]

although I replaced it with a new 19 inch $299 Insignia from Best Buy

Does your Insignia TV fit in the swing arm deal the same as the TV you had before? Was there modification required?

I looked up Insignia TV (I had never before heard of the brand) and all they showed were HDTVs. You wouldn't need a converter box.

[Slider13]

Does your Insignia TV fit in the swing arm deal the same as the TV you had before? Was there modification required?

I looked up Insignia TV (I had never before heard of the brand) and all they showed were HDTVs. You wouldn't need a converter box.

Insignia is a generic Best Buy brand for electronics such as TVs, DVD Players, stereos and MP3s.

Slider13

[What Next]

Yes guys the Insignia is HD no converter required in van maybe I wasn't clear . I have old Sycnmaster in house on converter. The 19" Insignia fit right in just remove 4 screws on back and put on new tv.

[Wulf]

I also have the SyncMaster, but in a 2005 Pleasure-Way Plateau. The TV, inverter and DVD player are all firmly incased in a little wooden corner cabinet, with no openings nearby.

I believe I could taken the OTA signal from cable or amplified antenna to the HDTV converter box. But, the converter box will need to have line-of-sight to receive IR commands from the remote. If I hide the converter in this cabinet [once I figure out how to get into it!], I'm going to have to get either the IR receiver located outside the cabinet or provide some kind of window in the wood such that the receiver can see the remote's IR pulses relatively easily.

What I'd *much* rather do is just get rid of the SyncMaster and put in a proper HDTV. But the cabinet is made for the SyncMaster. Arrghh!

[aljimenez]

Here's how I replaced the Plateau TV in our '05 PleasureWay on '04 Sprinter:

[BaywoodBill]

Great writeup, Al. Where do you get the movies to load on the hard drive? Is that easier than having a DVD player?

[aljimenez]

Great writeup, Al. Where do you get the movies to load on the hard drive? Is that easier than having a DVD player?
Not easier, more convenient and uses less storage space than the DVDs. I have a program that transfers DVD's into the hardrive (search for ripping DVDs). BTW I read your reply about your seat really hard to swivel; perhaps you should try to talk to the supplier of your swivel... Al

[BaywoodBill]

Thanks for the comment on the swivel. First I think I will query other LTV owners.

On the movies, though, do you first rent DVDs and then rip them? NetFlix? And then your HD is mounted with Velcro?
The DVD player in our van isn't much larger than your HD. But, of course, I think our DVD player will not handle high density maybe.

[aljimenez]

On the movies, though, do you first rent DVDs and then rip them? NetFlix? And then your HD is mounted with Velcro?The DVD player in our van isn't much larger than your HD. But, of course, I think our DVD player will not handle high density maybe.
Legally you must buy a DVD in order to use it like this. Velcro works, but I used a couple of L brackets to slide it in and out... Al

[PicPapa]

Bill, Don, Anyone:

Do you have a "completed set up" in your LTV yet? Ours is the '06 model.
If so did you go the converter box route or a new TV with a tuner built in?
We had one TV station do a test and "pulled the analog plug" and I waited for the test and the TV said "If you see this then you need a converter box". Reading all the post plus the other info I have read LTV has done a good job hiding everthing making it hard to find now.
Finding a DC powered TV limits your options on Make plus I don't want to add a power converter for a regular AC TV then I may as well dig in and install the digital converter box. I am sure I will not meet the Feb deadline but just don't want to start one way and later "wish I had done the opposite".
Thanks guy for your help....That would be in advance, as I know someone will help on this great forum. :bow:

[BaywoodBill]

Sorry, PicPapa, I didn't see this post before now.

I have not yet installed my analog/digital box. I believe I will need to remove some panels to get all the proper wires to the right place. But since I now have a 4-month grace, I can think about it some more. I'm great at taking advantage of time to think about things althought what I come up after all that thinking doesn't always answer the question. :smirk:

[PicPapa]

I am still studying the simplest way and am thinking of going this route.
http://www.dtvboxanswers.com/artect3appro.html
Artec T3AP is good for the 40 bucks from the gov. I think you could tap into the 12VDC right at the TV connection, plus an extra short lead addition from the box to the tv for the signal and you should be good to go. This would not mess up the wiring that switches from cable to antenna if used. Mount it where you like it and how.
I am asking if anyone already is using this model or configuration and if so how the convertor box works and how the signal looks.
:hmmm: :idunno:

[avid]

Wow, I bought a converter last December and threw it in the rig. Really haven't thought anything about hooking it up. I thought it would be de minimis. Better take a look at the situation during the trip this weekend. Will report back with my results.

Another possible solution and one that I plan to implement is using an iPod to carry movies. Rip movies to the iPod in TV format, purchase cables from Apple and hook up to TV. My TV has every conceivable external connection you could imagine. Unfortunately it isn't Digital TV compatible.

[BaywoodBill]

Well, I hooked up the converter box; it was significantly simpler than I dreamed. No need to remove panels. I have yet to conclude where to stick the box. Right now it's resting on the flat plate below the TV (the plate that serves as a foot for the TV it you want to take it off the wall mount and put it on a counter or table). The remote control can't see it there. I guess I'll have to Velcro it to the wall or the cabinet bottom.

[PicPapa]

Well, I hooked up the converter box; it was significantly simpler than I dreamed. No need to remove panels. I have yet to conclude where to stick the box. Right now it's resting on the flat plate below the TV (the plate that serves as a foot for the TV it you want to take it off the wall mount and put it on a counter or table). The remote control can't see it there. I guess I'll have to Velcro it to the wall or the cabinet bottom.

What type of converter was used, AC or DC current? If DC then you also needed a converter for the current or you can only use when generator powered or hooked up correct. I was trying to be able to use it on the move without generator.

[BaywoodBill]

It's an AC converter and I plugged it into the inverter that runs the TV. Maybe you have the later model that has a DC TV?

[PicPapa]

It's an AC converter and I plugged it into the inverter that runs the TV. Maybe you have the later model that has a DC TV?

Yes we do have the DC 17 inch TV. On long trips it is nice to be able to catch the news or not miss her favorite shows. Depending on the distance to the station it rolls some but only so many DVD's you can watch over and over LOL. I think I am going with the DC converter from what reviews I have read, even if I don't get anyone's opinion on the forum. Thanks Bill. :thinking:

[BaywoodBill]

Yes we do have the DC 17 inch TV. On long trips it is nice to be able to catch the news or not miss her favorite shows. Depending on the distance to the station it rolls some but only so many DVD's you can watch over and over LOL. I think I am going with the DC converter from what reviews I have read, even if I don't get anyone's opinion on the forum. Thanks Bill. :thinking:

Given the 12V TV, I would definitely go with the DC converter box.

[PicPapa]

We now have the converter box hooked up.
I went with the Artec since I do have the Initial DTV-172, which is the 17" High Def on 12 volt. Important is to watch the polarity of the wires but they are spliced into the wires leading to the TV after coming out from behind the cabinets. The box is velcroed to the bottom of the cabinet right behind the TV.
Before the box was added I had 9 signals from a scan on the TV in my driveway of varied clarity. After the box was added and running a scan from the converter box I had 39 signals. It added signals like the 24 hour weather you get on cable, letterbox and 16-9 signals from the same station, and the clarity is perfect no snow.
I have not been able to drive while someone is in the back watching but I am sure that is also improved.
Always use the disclaimer...."your results may vary" but this is the report on our install. I hope it helps someone make a decision as time is getting short before something will need to be done or do without a TV signal.

[BaywoodBill]

Since I've had my converter box hooked up I've only tried TV twice and both times the signal I received was a lot weaker than it was without the converter box. I have the antenna lead hooked to the box and it doesn't make sense to me that the signal should be weaker. Any clues anyone?

[PicPapa]

Since I've had my converter box hooked up I've only tried TV twice and both times the signal I received was a lot weaker than it was without the converter box. I have the antenna lead hooked to the box and it doesn't make sense to me that the signal should be weaker. Any clues anyone?

This is copied from the .gov site:
When an analog TV signal is weak or receives interference, static, snow, and distortion will often appear on the screen. Digital broadcasting will provide a clear picture; however, if the signal falls below a certain minimum strength, the picture can disappear. This “cliff effect” means that if you watch analog TV stations that have static and distortion, you may have to adjust or upgrade your antenna system.

I am thinking you are still watching an analog signal. Digital channels will be numbers like 13.1.
Analog signals with my converter box are also worse than before when I turn the box off and it uses the "pass thru". Do a new scan for channels and make sure you are looking at a digital channel and not still on an old analog. :thinking: :hmmm: :idunno:

[aljimenez]

Since I've had my converter box hooked up I've only tried TV twice and both times the signal I received was a lot weaker than it was without the converter box. I have the antenna lead hooked to the box and it doesn't make sense to me that the signal should be weaker. Any clues anyone?
Digital signals are typically on or off or sometimes with some blotches first and then off implying the signal is weak. A converter box should "pass through" an analog signal, put it will be degraded somewhat from what it would be if the cable is connected directly to the TV. This is because there is other circuitry loading the signal even though is bypassed. The bypass is being done electronically... Al

[BaywoodBill]

T
I am thinking you are still watching an analog signal. Digital channels will be numbers like 13.1 :thinking: :hmmm: :idunno:

OK. I guess that's the answer. I wasn't aware there were different channel numbers from before. At home I've got the satellite and none of the numbers have changed. So, not knowing what the new channel number for channel 8, for instance, I do a scan when I'm pretty sure (at least I used to be) within the range for getting what used to be channel 8?

[avid]

I promised that I would check out the new Digital TV converter the next time we were out. Finally after these many months I got around to trying it out. We purchased a Zenith converter and hooking up and using it is straightforward. I unhooked the coax from the TV and hooked it into the back of the converter box. I ran three cables with RCA jacks from the converter to the TV, two for L/R audio and one for video. Turned on the TV and found the box on the Video1 input. It has a user friendly setup menu and I ran auto search for channels. I used it in three different metropolitan areas in California with excellent results. The real spin off benefit of the converter besides multiple channel choices was that raising the TV antenna is no longer necessary. We get great reception with the antenna collapsed. Since YMMV (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/YMMV) is will point out that we have a built-in antenna booster and the booster may be allowing great reception despite not deploying the antenna. Before Digital TV it was rare that we could get reception without putting up the antenna. Other than having something else to drag around I would say that I am pleased with the device and I had an excellent OOBE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-Of-Box_Experience).