Posted 2007-10-28 2:30 PM (#70114) Subject: installing TV in LQ
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
My Christmas present to myself this year is to get a TV installed in my trailer. Its pre-wired with an antenna on the roof and plug-ins. I will be putting in a flat screen w/ built in DVD player on a swing out mount so it can be viewed from either the bed or the couch. I looked at satellite systems w/ DirecTV yesterday at Camping World, and at the new HD receivers, and at $160 for the HD receiver vs about $1500 for the satellite system, I think I will opt for HD first and see if receiving local channels wherever I go will be enough for me.
Rather than reinvent the wheel, wondered if anybody has any "if I knew then what I know now" stories to share, any tips or insights, they would be much appreciated.
Posted 2007-10-28 3:20 PM (#70116 - in reply to #70114) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I was also kinda looking at a sat TV system. I was at a show this spring watching some guy spend the entire day trying to get the dish to work. I don't know what the problem was but it didn't look like fun to me. At least with local channels, I just turn the TV on. I am sure they do work since you do see them at shows. I just don't know what all is involved and I will be just as interested to see responses.
Posted 2007-10-28 3:55 PM (#70117 - in reply to #70116) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I looked at the "King Dome" satellite system that mounts on the roof of the trailer and aligns with the satellite with a remote control. I wouldn't want to mess with manually setting up a dish either.
Posted 2007-10-28 4:40 PM (#70118 - in reply to #70114) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Location: Texas
I guess it is like most other things with a trailer and boils down to how much you use it and if it justifies the cost. I am on the road so much that I rely on my sat. for news and weather back home. I get 3 home channels no matter where I am. My sat. auto tunes in whenever I turn it on, no hassle. It has been worth it to me and I wouldn't be without one.
Posted 2007-10-28 4:52 PM (#70120 - in reply to #70119) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Location: Texas
My trailer came with the sat. installed by the conversion co. The tv is mounted on a bracket that pulls out from the wall and swivels, but I don't know what kind it is, it came with the conversion. The tv is Magnavox and has a built in dvd. The sat. system is Dish Network. No problems with either tv or sat.
Posted 2007-10-28 7:24 PM (#70124 - in reply to #70114) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
It mainly depends on what you're looking for. If you only go to shows, you're usually in a metropolitan area that has local TV stations that you can receive on regular antenna. However, if you usually event in remote areas where endurance, competitive trail, etc are held, then you would need satellite much of the time to receive what I would call effective reception. King Dome is good if you are always in a parking lot, no buildings or other structures between it and the southern sky. However, if you like parking under the trees as I do, then the tripod sat dish allows you to move the dish to align with the sat. I have a birdog sat finder that tells me which satellite my dish is pointing at. I just move the portable dish until dish 110 and 119 show on the readout, fine tune for signal strength, and it's ready to go. Takes about five minutes from setup until ready to view.
Posted 2007-10-28 7:32 PM (#70125 - in reply to #70114) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I guess I didn't make my actual question clear. I've pretty much deciced to go with HD, and see how I like that before investing in satellite. What I really want is any insight in the selection and installation of a TV and mounting hardware.
Posted 2007-10-29 6:24 PM (#70175 - in reply to #70114) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I got a movin view satellite system off of ebay for about $900.00. My husband and I installed it in about 3 hours. We were taking our time and double measuring. I posted the story here, so you might be able to find it with a search. We made sure we got three bolts into roof beams, sealed it real good and have not had any problems at all. I was so amazed when we turned it on and it just worked! We were able to run the cable down the fridge vent, thru the dish cabinet's to the TV cabinet. I have a 15" with a flat screen, on an arm, so I was not worried about HD. Worth every penny and a couple of hours with hubby on the roof.
-Betty
Posted 2007-10-29 7:51 PM (#70185 - in reply to #70125) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Regular
Posts: 69 Location: Tennessee
I can tell you only about DishNetwork HD. There are about 35 channels in HD. You will only need a 720p HDTV for satellite reception. If you choose a tracking satellite choose one that is auto tracking or what we refer to as an in motion tracker. You will be viewing at least 3 different satellites when watching HD. The reason you need an in motion is so that you don't have to manually press the find button when you change channels. If you choose a mount that will swing out you will need to be able to secure it while you are trailering, and most important have an RF outlet on the outside of your trailer so you can still use a dish with a tripod in case you can't hit the signal. Just install a A/B switch to choose which dish that you will use, tracking or one on a tripod
Posted 2007-10-30 3:17 PM (#70231 - in reply to #70114) Subject: RE: installing TV in LQ
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Youngstown, OH
I've added the Movin' View satellite dome to my last two trailers and had it done at the local dealership. It was a month before I got it done this last time, and honestly you can watch just so many movies! I hate the hassle of trying to find the local channels, etc and couldn't imagine trying to set up the tripod dish.
I plug in, turn on the satellite, turn on the receiver and within in minutes I have satellite TV! I've always used DirecTV and never had problem on the road. I spend quite a bit of time on the road with my trailer, so having the comforts of home is important to me. Some days its just nice to take 30 minutes or so and just veg in front of the TV.
installing TV in LQ
...it sets up quickly...
