Yahoo Message Number: 4812 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4812)
Thinking about upgrading the standard 20" tv with a 30" LCD flat screen tv. Will have Davis Cabinets do the modifications necessary.
Anybody else done this? Plasma or LCD, which is the best and most durable. Gary 30872 '03 Allure 36ft
Yahoo Message Number: 4813 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4813)
Gary, this sounds like a good idea--I hope you will send a picture of the completed installation.
Walt Rothermel
03Allure30811
Yahoo Message Number: 4817 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4817)
Gary: I have installed a 22' flat screen LCD (Panasonic) in my Intrigue to replace the head-knocker factory unit. The only problem I have with it concerns the loss of full screen when you are not receiving a movie signal. In retrospect, I would have installed a larger monitor. Apparently the 30" in now available. The technology moves rapidly doesn't it? I am presently looking into a 36" Plaza because it appears to be only 24" tall and would allow a fixed installation up front, rather than a complicated fold-down unit as commonly used in later coaches. Quite often the larger plazma units are monitors only and require a seperate tuner. If you want to see photos of my installation, they were posted on this site a couple of months ago and still available. If you want more info, let me know and I will E-mail you the photos and installation procedure I used. Good luck.
Larry Hanson
99 Intrigue 10762
Yahoo Message Number: 4818 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4818)
Hi Larry
Nice note. It is my understanding that LCD technology is better than Plasma in that plasma TVs have a much shorter shelf life than LCDs. Both have about the same picture quality.
The new, huge fold down models in the new coaches are certainly gorgeous. I hope, one of these days, they'll made LCDs available as well as Plasma. Some are using projection large screens. I think that is a mistake.
Do you use your LCD with a sat receiver? I have a Motosat with DirecTV receiver with TIVO built in. Won't ever want to be without TIVO. DirecTV can be a pain with RVers, and next coach I may go with Dish Network.
I'd appreciate your comments on these issues.
Tom Sims
2002 Intrigue #11419
Yahoo Message Number: 4819 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4819)
I am considering installing a Directway satellite service for my computers here in my home in northern California.
Yahoo Message Number: 4824 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4824)
We have a Motosat Datastorm 2-way internet satellite dish on our 2003 Intrigue. The system was installed by Cal Thorne from Advanced Satellite in Junction City Oregon when we accepted delivery our new coach at the factory. We are very satisfied with the system and the excellent work done by Cal. The wiring is all professionally hidden and exits inside the computer table where I use my PC. The system works well, even in the rain, but heavy thunderstorms does stop the system from functioning. Download speeds average from 400Kbps to 1200Kbps. Upload speeds are considerably slower and run about 25Kbps to 70Kbps. The system can receive TV and 2-way internet simultaneously so we can watch TV and surf the net at the same time.
The deployment of the dish is completely computer controlled and typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes to find the bird and finish the cross-pol test. If you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
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Yahoo Message Number: 4825 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4825)
Peter, I had the MotoSat system installed earlier this year.
I also have 128Kbps ISDN at home (can't get anything better as I am too far from a Telco switching station to get DSL).
Even though the download speed of the satellite can be (sometimes) over 1000Mbps, my normal experience using both systems is rather similar. The only time I get much better use from the satellite is when I do larger downloads or "paint" extensive web sites. The upload speed is usually less than a 56Kbps modem.
Most stuff we do is much more interactive and in those cases the large latency of the satellite system really gets in the way. A more or less normal request/response delay is in the order of 1 second.
That latency is what often gets in the way of a much better internet experience.
Another thing that happens more than I like is the amount of time it takes to get the system up and running. Ads say it is about 6 minutes. I have had it take over an hour occasionally. There are many things that influence the good workings of it. Local rain and or snow, but also you can have perfect weather and still can't get on. This may be due to bad weather in Maryland. That's where the uplink is. Where you are in the US is also a big factor. I am on satellite 99 (G4R), and when I am near LA, the strength of that satellite will diminish.
Also, both the Hughes and MotoSat s/w is relatively "immature". Take a cell phone with you nto call your ISP when there are issues. And write down the resolution, as some of those issues will repeat.
Having said all those negatives, I still like the system, as it gives me the ability to be on the edge of the Grant Canyon, and online working (I have taking telecommuting a step further:-).
Yahoo Message Number: 4827 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4827)
Henk,
I have a love-hate relationship with my Motosat also.
If you want to compare notes, send me an email.
bill@... (bill@...)
Bill Harris
.....
Yahoo Message Number: 4909 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4909)
Larry,
I am very interested in seeing the details on how you made the switch. My head.... and eyes.... need something done!
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438
Yahoo Message Number: 4927 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/4927)
Dick: The TV cabinet (mine is covered with grey vinyl) can be totally removed from the coach by removing all of the attaching screws. After removing the cabinet, I removed the vinyl and saved it for later re-install. I then cut the plywood cabinet back about eight inches. Actually, you could go back farther, but there is an opening in the ceiling to access antennas, etc that has to be covered with the oak finished wood that matches your coach. I took the easy way out and used a 4" wide piece of oak to cover it. The opening bezel, made of oak, will cover the new TV opening and leave enough room to mount a DVD player on top. I used a 22" Panasonic. I was in Costo last week and saw a 30" LCD flat screen that would work also. Probably better than mine because very few stations broadcast in the 16X9 moviescreen format and you lose the actual size of the screen unless you watch in "Zoom" mode or "justify" mode. If you are a handy carpenter or know one who will help, it isn't a huge job. The electronics are simple since all of the wiring is right there to disconnect and re-wire. I take Grandkids with me quite often so I disabled the 12v lockout so that the TV works all of the time if they want to watch while we travel.I also installed a wireless headphone set that allows them to hear the signal but the set is muted. A great feature! Dive in, it's fun and you will be happy not hitting the ole head when you enter.
Larry. Hanson@... (Larry. Hanson@...)
Yahoo Message Number: 5020 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/5020)
I have a 2 way Motosat datastorm dish installed by Bill and Janet Adams from RVsatellites.com in Nov 02. They live and travel in their bus so they use the datastorm on a daily basis since they are fulltimers and this is their business. They travel all over the country to do installations. They did an outstanding job and Bill has been very supportive when I have needed assistance after installation. I am not a techie person and when new updates were available, he walked me through them. I would not be without it since I am also a fulltimer. It has been wonderful! Bill has been super supportive AFTER the sale which is a wonderful asset. Some people can install the system but don't use the system themselves, so they are unaware of what is happening when changes are made, or upgrades are done or if their are problems with the satellites- but since Bill and Janet use theirs everyday, they know everything that is going on and are always available for support.
The speeds have been excellent and I have rarely not been able to get reception even in bad weather. I sugggest you contact Bill or go to his website. I highly recommend him. His link is on the owners link page.
feel free to contact me for any other info.
Rosemary
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Yahoo Message Number: 5040 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/5040)
Thanks very much, Larry. I WILL put that on my 'to do' list. I can handle the wiring part but will have to have the cabinet work done by someone more skilled than me.
Thanks again.
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438