We had a perfectly good roof mounted satellite dish and a regular TV in our motor home (2006 Bounder 35E), but given my technology tinkering (see previous post on satellite Internet), I decided that the DW deserved HDTV to watch my WVU Mountaineers play and also to watch the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. We already had DirecTV with DVR service so we could both watch and record programs.
The big issues were:
- What TV to buy
- How to get rid of the old TV and put in the new one
- What kind of satellite dish to purchase
- How the dish would be installed
- How do you find the satellite signal
First, the price of HD TVs are all over the place. I like technology but I am also cheap so I wanted to it somewhat economically. After much research, I settled on a Vizio 32" set which would mount in front of the where the original was located. The price of sets can run to over $1500 depending on the brand chosen. The Vizio was less than $600 and quality seemed very good.
Second, the old 27" TV (not old at all) had to be removed from cabinet above the dashboard. With the help of my 6'5" son-in-law, we removed the heaviest television set I have seen in many years. We donated the set and the standard DVD/VHS deck to the campground office at Smith Lake and they were thrilled to get it. My handy son-in-law constructed a very substantial frame to mount the new TV on. All of this went almost flawlessly. Love that son-in-law.
Third, the next choice was what satellite dish I would use. The one on the roof was not capable of HDTV so I could either replace it with a roof mounted dish ($2200-2500) which would not work well in trees or a tripod mounted dish ($200 for everything). Being cheap, the decision was obvious.
Fourth, I purchased a tripod kit on eBay (included in the $200 noted above). Like with the Internet dish, a construction quality tripod makes everything else simple in setting up. The key to finding satellites is to have a perfectly level platform from which to sight the "bird."
Finally, The challenge was how to actually point the satellite dish in the right direction. With standard DirecTV you only have find one satellite. With HDTV you must find multiple satellites. Without going into great detail (I will do a separate post on this if there is interest in this), this can be done relatively painlessly as well once you get comfortable with what you are trying to do.
Since we already have DirecTV DVR service, the incremental monthly increase in service was $9.99.
I can hardly wait to see the joy on my DW's face as the playoffs come on later today!!
My next project is to remove the majority of the carpeting in the Bounder and replace it with hardwood laminate. Grandkids, beagles and carpeting do not mix.
Curt
