A 32" HDTV where a 20" CRT TV Goes

In July of 2005 While in a North Stonington, CT campground our front 20 inch CRT TV died. So, I went shopping for a replacement. I had been hearing about these new fangled LCD flat panel TVs and decided to visit the local Best Buy Store.

I knew absolutely nothing about flat panel TVs, except the obvious, they were flat. Well, they were about 4 inches thick. I made my choice based upon the dimensions of the center open TV cabinet hanging in front of the windshield. I was clueless about contrast ratios and all those other measurements that we judge HDTVs by today. In fact, I don't really remember any discussion of HDTV or even digital TV back then. Those discussions might have taken place but, I was not party to to them.

After installation we happily watched our satellite TV channels and the occasional campground cable TV. We didn't notice it at first, but the screen wasn't quite as bright as the old CRT TV and there was little or no detail in on-screen shadowed areas. Then, while in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee it happened. . .

On our first morning at Walden's Creek Campground, the sun rose directly in front of our windshield. It was then that I learned how NOT bright our LCD TV was. The screen looked washed out. It was difficult to see the images and anything in shadow just looked black.

It was at this point that I began to research new HDTVs. Along the way I figured out that LCD TV I had purchased was analog and wouldn't receive digital broadcast signals without a converter.

I followed Yahoo email RV group threads about upgrading TVs and read about all those upgrades that involved rebuilding the cabinets up front. I didn't want to go through that, especially as we lived in the coach fulltime and this kind of a build would take several days.

In December of last year I discussed the situation with Mark, our Service Manager at the dealership where I work as Webmaster and "Doer of Many Things." He told me of a recently completed similar install using an articulating arm mounted in the original cabinet. I liked the idea and started shopping for the TV and the articulating mount.

Now, armed with good data, I went shopping. I chose a 32" Sony Bravia HDTV (720p) along with an articulating mount that weighed almost as much as the TV. I was prepared to pay cash but Best Buy offered 18 months with NO interest. So, the incentive to pay-in-full evaporated.

I brought the coach to the dealership one morning and the Service Department went to work. You can view the installation process at the J.D. Sanders RV Center website.

Now, while we're in transit the new TV sits against the original cabinet tied down with two $4 battery straps. For viewing, the TV can be manuevered to the left or right allowing access to each of the front cabinets. Sometimes I pull the TV straight out for closer viewing.

I am very pleased with the TV and the installation. Mr. Sun can rise as brightly as it wants in the morning and I will still see the detailed images on my HDTV!