Yahoo Message Number: 7429 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7429)
We have a 2000 Allure and are very happy with all of the features except the TV location. Has anyone cut the box back to keep from banging their head on entering the coach? I would be interested in knowing if this can be done and installing a flat screen TV. Thanks
Len Mizerowski
Yahoo Message Number: 7433 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7433)
Len,
I just recently had both the front and rear TV's replaced in my Intrigue. I have posted pictures in the "Photos" section under a folder called "TV Upgrades."
The front 20" TV was upgraded to a 30" wide-screen LCD. This allowed the removal of the entire "headknocker" cabinet that housed the original 20". It is unbelievable how much more standing room I now have. This TV also weighs only about 30 pounds. That's much lighter than the original, or the plasma sets that you may have seen. I did have to eliminate one of the smaller passenger-side cabinets. This was not an issue, since it only contained the control panel for the satellite. The original 13" bedroom TV was replaced with a 20" conventional (4:3) LCD. This required very little cabinet modification.
The cabinet modifications were done at Bill Plemmons RV in Winston- Salem, NC. The work was done by a skilled cabinet maker. It wasn't cheap, but well worth it. After seeing the difference, I feel that CC should aim in this direction, if they haven't already. I highly recommend the changes to anyone who is tired of banging their heads.
Rob
'02 Intrigue - #11480
Yahoo Message Number: 7435 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7435)
Rob,
Nice job on the TV, looks great. They do good work.
Bill Harris
03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm
Yahoo Message Number: 7439 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7439)
Wonderful job, can you tell me the size of the TVs? My husband really wants to do this.
Thanks.
Linda
'98 Intrigue #10651
Yahoo Message Number: 7442 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7442)
Go to http://www.sharpusa.com (http://www.sharpusa.com) and look at the "Aquos" line of LCD's.
The front TV is the model LC-30HV4U. I removed the side-mounted speakers and used the CC installed home theater speakers for the audio. The bedroom TV is the Aquos model LC-20S2U-S.
Rob
'02 Intrigue - #11480
Yahoo Message Number: 7444 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7444)
Wow, Rob, that front TV looks GREAT! Definitely going to check this out--we are VERY tired of the headbanger.
Thanks for posting those pictures.
Dan & Ann D. Houck
1998 Allure #30180
Yahoo Message Number: 7445 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7445)
Len: Go to the Groups page under photos: Larry's. I reworked my cabinet for a LCD screen. Only problem now is the 16X9 format cuts down the actual screen size so I'm having to install a HDTV receiver to get the size I want.
Larry
Inrigue
10762
Yahoo Message Number: 7453 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7453)
Rob,
I see your LCD has a separate tuner box. That is great, keeps the size and weight of the display down. When I installed the 32" plasma in my coach, I had to pick a unit with a built-in tuner, as I had no good location to install the separate box. Did you place it in the cabinet to the left?
Bill Harris
03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm
Yahoo Message Number: 7454 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7454)
Bill,
Yes, it's installed in the left cabinet. I actually eliminated the VCR and put the tuner there, since we mostly use the DVD player anyway. I think there is enough room for the DVD, VCR, LCD tuner box and the antenna switch box, but I decided against keeping the VCR.
Rob
'02 Intrigue - #11480
Yahoo Message Number: 7455 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7455)
Speaking of Sharp Aquos TV product line, have you seen the announcement of Sharp's portable 15" Wireless LCD model with 3-hour battery that receives it signal from a WiFi (802.11b) base station in your coach/home? Move the TV from the kitchen counter to the patio outside the coach. Hope to test one when it is released in January.
http://www.sharpusa.com/products/FunctionPressReleaseSingle/0,1080,37
7-34,00.html
Herb
Yahoo Message Number: 7509 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7509)
Rob,
Thanks for the information and photos of your replacement of the TV headbanger.
I'm really interested in doing this. If you could give me any more details that I need to know to go ahead and do this, I would appreciate the information.
Thanks, again.
Len
Yahoo Message Number: 7510 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7510)
Len,
Nothing really complicated with the upgrades. Well, beside the high cost of LCD TV's and labor for a good cabinet maker. However, if you are good at working with wood, then maybe you good do it yourself.
The materials were minimal as far as the wood goes. One final note is that I did use a cantilever type mounting bracket for both TV's.
That way you can get behind them by just removing four screws and swinging the TV to the side. I added a photo of the bracket in my "TV Upgrades" folder.
Rob
'02 Intrigue - #11480
Yahoo Message Number: 7511 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7511)
Len: One minor thing to remember: The LCD flat screen TV's operate in a 16X9 format. Therefore, unless you are playing a DVD or receiving a HD signal, you will not receive a full screen picture. You can toggle between Zoom, Justify, or regular signal but normal "off-air" screen will be smaller.
I changed mine last year to a 22" Panasonic LCD (see photos) and even though I love not hitting my head, I have missed the larger screen. In an effort to solve that issue, I am currently changing my system again. I have direct TV for satellite service so last week I purchased a Hughes HD receiver that receives all of the Direct TV HD signals plus any off-air (antenna) signals that are sent in HD.
As I understand it, most networks now broadcast a number of HD signals so I should be able to get a good offering of HD full-screen broadcasts.
My project is currently underway including changing my factory installed VCR for the newer combination VCR-CD units. All the ones I have seen are 17" wide and will not fit in the old VCR opening so I have made some modifications and the new unit mounts on top of the LCD. The Hughes receiver fits within the opening of the old VHS.
Who needs a hobby when you've got a motor home? And yes, my wife is convinced that I have totally lost it! She has already measured me for a straight jacket.
Larry
Intrigue
10762
(work in progress)
Yahoo Message Number: 7515 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/7515)
Sounds like you are having fun, and that's what Country Coaching is all about, lest we forget. TOM Intrigue 11731.