Entertainment System Blues

[mineralslee]

We recently purchased a new to us 2001 DSDP 3858 from a private seller. I guess...no, I'm certain I didn't pay enough attention, or ask enough questions, or demand demonstrations, etc. as far as the TV, radio, DVD, etc goes.

This coach is equipped with a Sony in dash radio...I can play CD's through the coach speakers...but when I change the source to FM and tune a local station...nothing. I can switch the source back to CD...it sounds great, but nothing from the FM or any of the radio sources.

Then comes the TV. I can get the VCR to play though the TV...but nothing through the roof antenna. I can switch the input selector for the TV from VCR to Ant...and it will show the VCR playing..but nothing from the ant.

I've got the Pioneer entertainment system. The radio works well and
I can get CD's to play in the Pioneer CD/DVD player...but can't seem to get it to load or play DVD's.

I've got a satellite system...but haven't got a smart card for the dish receiver yet, although the seller did have the satellite playing on the TV, so I figure it will work when I get the reciever turned on. Haven't been to a CG or hooked the coach up to cable input yet.

I've tried reading through the manuals...but nothing seems real straightforward. About ready to call up the local dealer and invest a service call with their AV guy to show me the ropes...seems like a complicated system....and obviously a lot of things I'm not getting right.

Do you think the dealer would be able to help me out at a reasonable cost ?? Other suggestions ??

[texnet]

FM Radio - Probably the antenna or cable is bad. If you can get to the back of the radio pull the antenna coax and stick a pick of wire, with the end stripped off, and see if you pick up any stations.

TV - If the TVs are old tube type then they probably are not Digital TV ready and you will need a converter or replace them with newer TV's perferrable LCDs

CD/DVD Player - Explain you can't get them to load....

Reasonable cost from a dealer - hourly charges range from $80-$125 per hour and most dealers don't want to mess with someone who did not purchase the RV through them. Check around for an independent mobile RV tech. Make sure to check RV Service Review for any negatives on techs or dealers.

[Robi.1014]

Mike,
I think Texnet concisely covered those items you asked about. I would add that some DVD players have two "paths" to get their signals to the TV: (1) is via coax and the TV must be on channel 3 to exploit this path, and (2) is via a 3-lead cable carrying L & R stereo signals (usually colored white and red) and a composite video signal (color: yellow).

For (1) above, there is also (probably) present on your rig a manual push-button switch which allows you to choose between VCR, antenna, cable, and DVD as "sources". So these buttons must be understood to make all this stuff work!

For (2), these L/R/V signals may go straight to the rear of the TV....and thus are selected using the TV's remote "INPUT" button.

["007"]

Here is a OWNERS GUIDE if you do not have one.
Its large download takes a while.
Has instructions on how to use your TV selector box.
The Sony radio has another unit thats on a shelf velcro taped near your fuse panels.
In Quick Tips I have pictures and instructions on what you can do with the units.

[soricobob]

Be sure to make a copy of the owner's guide for the repair man. There are many experts in this field, and some of them are mobile (i.e. they come to you), but totry to decipher it yourself might be an exercise in frustration. Either look on line, check the yellow pages, or ask a local RV shop for the names of "entertainment system" specialists.

[njs42]

The best advice I ever received when trying to decide how to fix my systems was: "go to Best Buy and find a young clerk walking around who looks like he could not get a date---ask him". I did exactly that and he answered my question solving a mystery that had plagued many over a four year span. I fixed it myself as a result.

The others on this thread have shared some excellent wisdom. Keep plugging away you will get it---avoid a dealer they are notable for no knowing about this stuff---IMHO.

[dsbike]

I would like to add to the in dash Sony radio/cd player. The cd player in these Sony radios is a seperate part & can & will work even if there is a problem with the radio. I just replaced the Sony radio/cd player in my parents 2001 Journey. It was doing the same thing as yours. However before I bought a new one I had one on the shelf in my garage that I knew worked. I unplugged thiers & plugged mine in, worked like a charm. Bought a new one at Bbest Buy for under $100 & plugged it into the same plug as the old one. 10 minute job. The hardest part was accessing behind the dash, removing trim panels,ect.

[mineralslee]

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate them. Some of you guys are really really talented...I envy your abilities.

One of the things that bugs me the most is not being able to get TV reception from the roof antenna. I had considered the possibility of the older Type TV not being digital compliant, and thus not being able to process the digital signal from over the air channels..but, wouldn't you think if it could process a Dish satellite signal, it would be digital capable ??

There were several other suggestions I'll follow up on, including trying to get some free advice from a geek squad trainee, and learning more about the functions on my remote controls..seems like they may be key to changing the inputs.

[texnet]

The TV is NOT processing a satellite signal... it is only processing the output of a receiver.... Satellite signals are digital from the satellite to the reciever, not to the TV. The satellite receiver outputs analog to channel 3 or 4 and analog to the yellow video or s-video cable.

[Billieg]

That's all I've been doing for weeks now is installing new tv's, a new radio, new speakers, cables to hook up my computer to the TV, antennas for phone, TV and wifi, a new color back up monitor, GPS system, twin air conditioner power feeds and a host of other gadgets.

Your radio is toast, mine did the same thing. The tube TV's are history and won't give you HD so Wal-mart has Visio flat screens cheap which work great. I got most of my parts on Feebay and got great deals on it all. A new Pioneer radio that plays CD's and MP3's cost me only $65 new. A set of 200 watt speakers with built in tweeters cost me only $24. The 19 inch Visio flat screen that also works as a computer monitor cost me $136 at Wal-mart.

I'd spend my money on replacing the old stuff with new. If you can't do it then go to any shop that replaces electronics and see if you can get one of the installers to do some "side work" or look on Craigslist for someone. Good Luck!