RV Entertainment Systems

Large flat-screen TVs have replaced cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs. VCRs have been replaced by DVRs and DVD players, which in turn have given way to Blu-ray players. High-definition programming is now mainstream, at least until new technology such as Ultra HD 4K programming gains a foothold. Off-air broadcast antennas and cable TV must compete with satellite TV and online streaming. Technology is continually improving.

Now, it’s not uncommon to find Type A motorhomes equipped with four large, high-definition flat-screen TVs. Audio has stepped up as well; surround-sound systems are the standard in many new motorhomes.

Whether the entertainment feed comes from an off-air broadcast antenna, through the campground’s cable TV connection, from a satellite antenna, or from a streaming wireless Internet connection, today’s high-tech systems can be a bit bewildering for RV owners. The following will help you understand the basics.

A television monitor is the heart of an entertainment system. The old CRT screens were heavy and deep and handled only standard-definition signals in a 4:3 format (four horizontal units to three vertical units). They were fine in their day, but today’s high-definition systems call for wider 16:9 formats and flat-screen TVs.

Plasma TVs began the groundbreaking trend of thin and large screens, but they came with a high price tag. Then LCD TVs, using liquid crystal display technology with fluorescent lamps as their backlight, began making significant inroads into the market. They were much lighter and thinner than their CRT counterparts, making them perfect for an RV.

LED TVs overcame some of the shortcomings of fluorescent-lit LCDs by utilizing LED backlighting. Organic light-emitting diode technology took that a step further, and OLED TVs were introduced. Today, LED TVs dominate the market. They provide an excellent picture in large screen sizes at affordable prices.

The National Television System Committee standard-definition (SD) television format has 525 lines of resolution per image. High-definition (HD) format has up to 1080 lines of resolution, although smaller screen sizes sometimes have 720 lines.

The latest technology is Ultra HD, also known as 4K, because it quadruples the number of pixels found in a full HD picture. As the pixel count goes up, so does the image quality and the bandwidth requirement. Viewing a true 4K image requires lots of bandwidth. That technology is still developing. However, some 4K TVs feature upscaling, which uses software algorithms to attempt to create a 4K image from an HD signal. While not equal to a true 4K image, it generally shows some improvement over HD.

Smart TVs, another recent trend, can connect to a Wi-Fi or hardwired Ethernet signal to access the Internet. Such TVs can access YouTube videos and other online programming without requiring a PC to connect to the TV. People without smart TVs generally can use a television as a computer monitor with the correct input connection. TVs usually have multiple connections that can accept inputs from DVD or Blu-ray players, satellite receivers, DVRs, and computers.

Naturally, everyone wants excellent audio to go along with great video. Stereo just doesn’t cut it anymore. Surround-sound systems with multiple speakers produce realistic audio that gives viewers a feeling of being in the scene rather than on the outside looking in. Surround sound works great in large rooms but can be tricky to implement in a long, narrow motorhome where television screens and the people viewing them can be in various places.

A sound bar is a great choice for an RV. It consists of several speakers within a single wide enclosure that is aimed at the viewing area. A sound bar eliminates the clutter and placement headaches associated with trying to fit multiple speakers into a motorhome. A sound bar also can be equipped with a subwoofer for more dynamic bass. Sound bars replicate true surround sound with amazing accuracy.

An amplifier sends audio to the speakers or sound bar. It has multiple inputs and acts as a switcher to determine which A/V components you want to view and listen to. A push of a button on the remote control selects the satellite receiver, DVD player, antenna, or any other source that’s connected to the system. Most surround-sound system remotes also can be programmed to control features of the various components that are connected to the system.

Even with the popularity of satellite TV and streaming, broadcast TV remains attractive for a number of reasons. For one, it’s not necessary to buy all sorts of devices to make it work. All that’s needed is an antenna powerful enough to grab a signal from a television station that is broadcasting within range. Second, it is free, so there are no monthly fees. Also, most broadcast TV stations have converted to high definition, and a few are even broadcasting 4K Ultra HD programming. 4K signals require a large amount of bandwidth, which can choke a satellite or cable TV connection, but that limitation doesn’t exist when broadcasting over the airwaves.

The original crank-up batwing antenna that graced almost every RV 10 years ago is still around. With the transition to digital broadcasting, the signals are now in the UHF band rather than VHF, so these antenna systems have improved over the years. The Winegard Sensar batwing antenna is one option, but a number of alternatives are available. The Winegard Rayzar Air is a roof-mounted antenna specifically designed to pick up HD digital stations. Like the Sensar, it must be raised and rotated to achieve the best signal.

The Rayzar Automatic is a totally different system. The unit mounts on the roof of an RV, similar to a small satellite dome, and does not need to be raised. A remote-control panel activates the antenna, which then automatically searches for and finds the strongest TV station signals, reporting this information on an LED display. The system can be manually aimed, if desired, via the same control panel. Normally, height is might when it comes to a TV antenna, but the Rayzar Automatic seems to defy that and brings in excellent signal strength.

The King Jack antenna, from King, does not have to be raised, but it must be rotated manually to find the strongest signal, which is displayed on a series of LEDs. A number of manufacturers also make a disc-style antenna, which is saucer-shaped and is mounted about 12 inches above the roof. Some of these, such as the Winegard RoadStar series, are omnidirectional and do not have to be aimed. Others do require aiming via a remote-control panel inside the motorhome. Such systems are simple and easy to operate but don’t tend to have the range of larger antennas or the Rayzar Automatic.

Once very popular in RV parks, cable TV is turning into a headache for many park operators. Cable providers are switching from analog to digital transmission so they can maximize their bandwidth and control the content level of those who are paying for better programming packages. This generally requires a digital converter, which is fine in a sticks-and-bricks location. But it doesn’t work very well in an RV, which can move from location to location, switching cable providers as it travels. It’s an issue faced by many campground owners.

Some campgrounds provide a digital converter box and require a deposit until it is returned. Others have installed their own headend, equipment that converts digital signals to analog for viewing by anyone. Some are dropping cable TV and putting the money into improving their Wi-Fi delivery to accommodate the demand for more bandwidth required for streaming video. The future of cable TV in RV parks is uncertain at this point.

Satellite TV is popular among RV owners, many of whom have it at home and simply move their receivers into the RV when it’s time to travel. DirecTV and Dish Network are the two major providers in the United States; Bell and Shaw operate in Canada.

Satellite TV requires a subscription and a monthly fee to your provider of choice. It also requires a receiver, which is supplied by the provider, and a satellite dish. The receiver can be a simple device capable of converting the signal from the dish and sending it to the TV, or it can be a digital video recorder (DVR) capable of recording multiple channels at the same time. Some systems can feature multiple DVRs or receivers in a network so that programming recorded on a single DVR can be shared with other receivers and viewed in other areas of the motorhome. A single DVR or receiver can send its output to a surround-sound system to be viewed at any location in the coach, but watching two different channels at the same time requires additional receivers.

Satellite dishes all work on the same principle. A reflector dish captures as much signal as possible and directs it to the low-noise block downconverter on the end of the dish’s arm. The larger the dish, the better the signal strength. A dish must be aimed. If it isn’t exact, it will miss the satellite and reception will be lost.

A portable dish can be positioned with a clear line of sight to the satellite. However, the dish must be set up manually and aimed. An in-motion satellite dome is roof-mounted and has a small motorized dish inside. It automatically finds the satellite and locks in. An advantage of such dishes is that passengers can view programs while the motorhome is moving. The disadvantage is that the dish is fairly small, and the dome can refract the signal. This can lead to problems getting a clear signal when the dome is wet or the sky is overcast. Also, DirecTV HD programming is not available with domes, because they are not capable of receiving Ka band signals

In my opinion, the Winegard Trav’ler is the ultimate satellite dish for a motorhome. It’s simple to operate and fully automatic. Available in Dish Network or DirecTV versions, the Trav’ler locates the satellite and locks in. Its large reflector provides a strong signal that is not interrupted by rain. One disadvantage is that programming can’t be viewed while the motorhome is in motion.

A number of entertainment sources can be selected in a motorhome via the surround-sound system or a video switcher of some sort. Cable TV or over-the-air broadcast programming arrives through a coaxial cable. The coax usually connects to an antenna booster that amplifies the over-the-air signal and serves as a selector to switch to the cable TV connection when the booster is turned off. The output runs to a splitter and to each TV’s coaxial input connection.

Coaxial cable does have its limitations, so other cabling is used to connect the various components to the system or TVs. RCA phono plug cables can pass audio and video, but a three-wire composite video connection can handle only standard-definition programming. A five-wire component connection can pass an HD signal, but it is bulky and is slowly being discontinued by many TV and component manufacturers.

Most TVs still have a set of inputs for composite audio and video, but most inputs will be high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI). HDMI not only passes a high-bandwidth HD or even a 4K signal but also allows bidirectional communication so that TVs or DVD players can be turned on or off automatically via a central surround-sound system. HDMI cables have a multipin connector that allows easy plug-in of all components; HDMI jacks are standard on Blu-ray and DVD players as well as most current satellite receivers and DVRs.

In some cases, the primary viewing or listening area may be in one part of the motorhome and the various signal-originating components, such as tuners and DVRs, may be in another. That can make it difficult to watch TV and make changes to the input using the remote control without walking to a place where the desired service can “see” the remote. This can sometimes be solved by HDMI cabling, but not always. If this situation is a problem, consider adding an infrared repeater (IRR) system. It works by passing an infrared signal from the remote to the desired device via hardwiring from an extra “eye,” which is installed near the TV or surround-sound speakers.

Online streaming video is delivered via the Web, so a router such as a Wi-Fi hot spot or air card is needed to access the incoming Internet signal and to send it via Ethernet cable or local Wi-Fi LAN connection to a PC, tablet, or smart TV. Streamed programming is becoming very popular but requires tons of bandwidth. Campgrounds are struggling to keep up with the demand, so it may be difficult to aquire a strong enough signal to seamlessly view a streamed program when at an RV park.

Regardless of the programming that appears on the TV screen or the method of receiving it, many options exist for a motorhome owner to create a high-quality entertainment system capable of pleasing the most critical theater-goer and audiophile.