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View Full Version : Absolutly, positively the cheapest flat panel HDTV upgrade ever!



AprilWhine
12-21-2010, 09:48 PM
I am posting this here because it is certainly not in the busted knuckles category. Our coach was upgraded a year ago at M~~ when sold to the last owner before us. Two HDTV installs were done, and a darn fine job of it too.

One above the driver, replacing a CRT from Angola. Can not see it except from the recliner on the passenger side.

One in the right rear corner of the bedroom. Can't see it without getting a crick in the neck.

I measured the width of the window opening and kept an eye out for a flat panel. While in Costco, I noticed a Westinghouse flat panel HDTV that was 1/4 inch narrower than the window trim. The great thing about it was that it was a new side illuminated screen and the TV is only slightly thicker than 1 inch. Bought it, took it back to the coach, and set it in the window directly across from the sofa. Perfect fit, the blinds draw down in front of the screen, and only power and one HDMI cable needed to be run. The HDMI feeds from the home entertainment DVD player, which is only a little over an inch thick.

Now we can sit side by side on the sofa, look directly at the tv across from us, and the 2 kitties like to lie between us.

I still need to trim the foot of the tv to be less deep front to back. TV only weighs 14 lbs.

Now perhaps this will shame Sherry into posting a photo of the "Install".

Technology marches on!

AprilWhine
12-21-2010, 09:51 PM
No matter what the title of this thread indicates, no Vodka was used in this install.

michaeldterry
12-22-2010, 09:08 AM
Yeah - we'll be needing to see pictures! :p

AprilWhine
12-22-2010, 12:22 PM
I will take and post pictures later today. :)

Cheers,
Sherry

Will Garner
12-24-2010, 11:13 AM
Jim & Sherry,

I made the front TV change myself in late October. I also did the bedroom change myself at the beginning of this year before travel time. The front TV is mounted using a custom designed vertical support on which is mounted a wall fixture TV bracket. The bracket is hinged to allow it to pul out of the space and pivot for optimal viewing angle. It works very nicely. The only wood working required was making a new frame. The photo was taken before hanging a dust blanket behind the TV which also obscures vision of the electronics and LED's in that area of the front cap. Photo too big to attach, 6.43 MB. I'll try to downsize and post later.

Will Garner
12-24-2010, 12:55 PM
Jim & Sherry,

OK, I've worked on downsizing - no the pictures! Who can work on downsizing anything else at this time of year? So now here goes ... Well they are there, just in the reverse sequence. The opening previously held a 20 year old 19" Panasonic TV. Good TV just not digital. The new TV installation has survived four "field" tests. We are very pleased with the final product.

As for the cost, TV Sam's Club $250, Mounting Bracket, Best Buy $50, custom fabricated mounting bracket $50, final product $priceless!

michaeldterry
12-24-2010, 12:58 PM
Jim & Sherry,

OK, I've worked on downsizing - no the pictures! Who can work on downsizing anything else at this time of year? So now here goes ... Well they are there, just in the reverse sequence. The opening previously held a 20 year old 19" Panasonic TV. Good TV just not digital. The new TV installation has survived four "field" tests. We are very pleased with the final product.

Jim - if your e-mail server will allow you to attach a file that big and send it, I can reduce it for you and send it back to you.

gmcbuffalo
12-24-2010, 12:59 PM
Will, Very neat and clean

AprilWhine
12-24-2010, 02:11 PM
Clickable thumbnails

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/th_IMG_20101224_111448.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/IMG_20101224_111448.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/th_IMG_20101224_111508.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/IMG_20101224_111508.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/th_IMG_20101224_111519.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/IMG_20101224_111519.jpg)

Cheers, Sherry

AprilWhine
12-24-2010, 02:16 PM
For Will, here's some pics from where Fuzzy changed a 30" CRT TV to a 40" LCD HDTV:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/th_708035Arear.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/708035Arear.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/th_APR-MAY2009003.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/APR-MAY2009003.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/th_APR-MAY2009004.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/APR-MAY2009004.jpg)

AprilWhine
12-24-2010, 02:17 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/th_APR-MAY2009005.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/APR-MAY2009005.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/th_APR-MAY2009009.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/AprilWhine/Destination/APR-MAY2009009.jpg)

Will Garner
12-24-2010, 03:00 PM
Sheery, I thought we were talking buses here. Those pics look like they are in a house. I frankly don't want a monster TV screen in the bus. Most of the time I'd rather be outside seening the sights where we are. The bracket looks like a very similar one, albiet designed for a much larger load. The weight of my front TV change will probably allow me to reduce the tire pressure on my drive tires! That old 19" is a heavy TV. All its good for now is a boat anchor! Do you need a good anchor?

Nice job on the home TV.

AprilWhine
12-24-2010, 03:25 PM
Will, that install was in our old Winnebago Destination. ;)

The old TV was about 160 lbs, new one was 40. We don't need that large a screen in the bus because with no slides, everything is much closer together. And a TV doesn't keep you from getting out and seeing the sights, it just makes watching a movie later more pleasant. :)

Cheers,
Sherry

Coloradobus
12-25-2010, 01:08 AM
Sweet! We have a 25 inch LCD by Samsung from Costco. Great picture, not too expensive only 17 pounds.