We've made the decision to have our TV changed out when we go to the "mother ship" for service early next year. I'm wondering what brand of flat screen you bought and why. Thanks in advance!
George, since you have an inverter, it makes the job a lot easier. Having to worry about finding a 12V TV these days is a real chore.
I have had very good luck with Toshiba LCD TV's and I have a Sony Bravia plasma in the New 2 Me U300. It's a 26" and I have never seen a better picture on any TV. I would by another one in a heartbeat. FWIW
George,
We bought a 40" Samsung 1080P LCD HDTV. It fit on the wall behind the dinette nicely on our U300. Could have gone 46" but not in the budget. If you can afford it, consider a LED HDTV. Uses less juice and is thin, thin, thin. Sony makes another good TV. Did a lot of checking with consumer's research, etc. before buying. Don't get a plasma as they don't like vibration and high elevation. We ran both VGA and HDMI cables from the vcr/sat receiver/computer to the TV. Works great as a computer monitor also.
Best,
Pierce & Gaylie
93' U300/36
Sony Bravia 32" LCD/LED backlit. Easily viewed from the co-pilot seat. ;D :)) :P
I have Samsung in the back and a Viore 22 in the front (fits inside the
19" cabinet).
The new Samsungs have internet streaming capability so if you're in a campround with decent wireless you will have more options. They can also
'reach out and touch' your computer to stream video also...
Heck, my Iphone and Ipad can control the TV at home...
George,
Below are details of the appliances used for the remodel I did last year. Although the TV's are HD digital, I stayed with just digital non-HD DVD/VCR combo for the replacement of the stock unit in the Foretravel.
Toshiba - Progressive Scan DVD Player/VCR Combo with JPEG Playback [non-HD]
Model: SD-V296, SKU: 8971008 $89
D-VR660 DVD Recorder VCR Combo $229 (I kept this unit for the house as I still have a library of VCR tapes. I originally bought it for the Foretravel, but decided I'd never use the record feature on either VCR or DVD [non-HD])
26AV502R 26" Diagonal 720p HD LCD TV $430
Dimensions: 26.4 x 18.0 x 3.7 (WxHxD)
19AV600U 18.5" Diagonal 720p HD LCD TV $299.99, $275
Dimensions: 18.74" x 12.72" x 2.53" (WxHxD)
We've very satisfied with the quality and performance of the units.
Thanks for all the info. After looking at a lot of TVs locally (and keeping your advice in mind), I think we are going to go with a Samsung 32" LED TV (UN32C5000). It has sturdy threaded mounting holes on the back and is only about an inch thick. The LCD models are much thicker. It weighs about 25 lbs. I think the LG LED TVs are even thinner, but the mounting holes are much smaller. Now we have to decide what Sanus mount to use. We may just mount it temporarily and have the case cut down in NAC.
Thanks again for all the input.
George,
When we had FOT install our 32" HDTV last winter we wanted to install a Samsung (I really think they have the best picture). However, FOT talked us out of the Samsung. They (actually, David Flanagan) indicated that the Samsung threaded mounting holes on the back were just plastic and not suitable for driving on our rough roads. Many are plastic and some are metal and he suggested that we look for one with a metal mounting plate. All the Samsungs we looked at did, indeed, have plastic mounting plates. Maybe they have changed, but it might be worth considering when you choose. We settled on a Viseo and are very happy with it.
FWIW,
Paul
36' 2000 U320
Thanks Paul. We looked at the mounting holes on the various models (didn't see Viseo). The screw holes on the Samsung appear to be threaded brass. Of course they could be mounted in plastic inside the unit. I will find out. Crutchfield should know.
George, I think you will find that they are embedded in plastic since that is what the entire case is made of. The key is to find metal threads that have a backing plate on the inside of the case. Some TV's just use a press-in threaded metal gromet. My Toshiba has a gromet with a 1/16th" collar that is on the inside of the case so the gromet can not pull through. My guess is that the Samsung has the same style connector as my Toshiba.
I'm sure there was very little consideration by the TV manufactureres of the stresses Motorhome use can impose, but some companies just overbuild anyway, just like Foretravel. "I LIKE OVERBUILT"
George,
When we had FT install our front TV, we asked for the maximum size they would recommend. They said a 37" without bottom speakers. We bought a Samsung. FT used their mount and bolted it directly to the frame. The TV frame has not cracked or loosened in 25,000 miles.