HDMI to TV

[LewF]

I would like to change out the RCA Home Entertainment unit on our 2009 Camelot, install new tuner/amp and a BluRay DVD player. I think I have the components figured out but in the process I would like to run an HDMI cable to the center mounted TV. The system currently has the front satellite receiver and the RCA unit supplying separate input to the TV via component video cables, and audio.

Here is the question - does anyone have any experience getting at the cables from the front entertainment equipment to the mid coach TV. I can see where they disappear into the upper right side of the ceiling and can see where they come out, directly back from the entry point and at the same distance as the TV from the front. I looks very tight and I don't think I can get an HDMI cable in the channel nor does it look like I can get any kind of fish tape in as well. If I can get better access to the channel then I might make it work by pulling out one of the component cable sets to make room.

If anyone knows how I can get better access to this wiring channel, it runs above the slide opening so I can't see any panels to remove, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Lew

[-Gramps-]

Where is the RCA unit located?

[LewF]

It is in the right most cabinet of the compartments in the front overhead of the coach. As you enter the coach it is overhead and to the right.

Lew

[BigSkyBob]

Lew, I replaced the RCA Home Entertainment unit w/6 disk changer in my 08 Camelot which sounds similar to yours and is also in the upper right cabinet. I managed to hook up an HDMI cable to the back of the TV by feel as I couldn't see the HDMI port. We never used the surround sound as it bugged the DW so removing that was easy. The box that controls the output to all the surround sound speakers and all the associated wiring was removed which provided enough room to get the HDMI cable hooked up, install a new DTV DVR and a new Blueray player. I also hooked up the Blueray with an HDMI cable to the DVR. Seems to work well but without surround sound. There is enough room but it is tight.

[-Gramps-]

That is the choice you need to make. If you want surround sound as well as Blue Ray then the speakers are going to be wired to the front overhead. Getting an HDMI cable from there to the TV, that isn't going to be easy. I would consider putting the Blue Ray by the tv and running digital audio from it thru an existing wire, possibly the one connected from the tv audio output to aux input on the back of the RCA, to a new surround sound amp in the overhead. Then you would have a short HDMI run from the Blue Ray to the TV.

[nodine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewF I would like to change out the RCA Home Entertainment unit on our 2009 Camelot, install new tuner/amp and a BluRay DVD player. I think I have the components figured out but in the process I would like to run an HDMI cable to the center mounted TV. The system currently has the front satellite receiver and the RCA unit supplying separate input to the TV via component video cables, and audio. Here is the question - does anyone have any experience getting at the cables from the front entertainment equipment to the mid coach TV. I can see where they disappear into the upper right side of the ceiling and can see where they come out, directly back from the entry point and at the same distance as the TV from the front. I looks very tight and I don't think I can get an HDMI cable in the channel nor does it look like I can get any kind of fish tape in as well. If I can get better access to the channel then I might make it work by pulling out one of the component cable sets to make room. If anyone knows how I can get better access to this wiring channel, it runs above the slide opening so I can't see any panels to remove, I would appreciate it. Thanks. Lew

Lew,

Sounds like you need to run the HDMI almost half the distance of the coach and the original is in the ceiling. That will be a bear. You can't use one of the old cables to pull in the new one because Monaco ties them down. My backup camera always seemed to go out when we needed it so I installed a second camera system. The cable for the rear camera runs in the ceiling so I ran a new cable through the cable raceway under the coach. You might be able to run the HDMI down the pillar and under the coach and then back up near the television.

Good luck,

Bob

[LewF]

Bob, you are right it requires running a cable about half the length of the coach. I am about to say uncle on that idea and figure out how to put a Bluray player closer to the TV and then run an short HDMI cable to the TV. I have a number of cabinets around the TV but all are pretty shallow. Will keep looking. I will probably restore the RCA home entertainment unit and the sat receiver like it was and run another DVD play as an additional unit. Thanks for the idea however since going under the coach is always an option.

Lew

[LewF]

BigSkyBob, on our model the TV is in the middle of the coach. I am giving up on the idea of an HDMI cable from the front to this unit. I am going to figure out how to put a DVD player in the middle coach cabinets and then run the HDMI cable from there. Thanks for the help and ideas.

Lew

[Diplomat Don]

LewF....When I was thinking about doing something similar, I went online and found that you can buy an HDMI cable in 50' to 100' lengths at a fairly reasonable price. I would also look at running the cable under the coach. I did on some other items.

[erkme73]

Curious how your final projected ended up being configured. I have a 36' Damon with a HTPC all the way in the rear, and want to run the HDMI from that PC to the main 46" LED/LCD over the dash. Monoprice has a 35' flat HDMI cable (with very high review ratings) for about $30, and a powered HDMI 'splitter' that will allow the PC to drive both the main TV and the one in the bedroom simultaneously.

My intentions are to run the HDMI down the center of the ceiling in the AC ducts. I have yet to try it since the cable hasn't arrived yet. Just curious if the OP even attempted to fish the new line in the ceiling.

[YC1]

I did it in my 08 HR Endeavor SKQ. It has the tv in the middle. I install equipment in vehicles of all kinds. Been doing it for 35 years. You can't get there from here using existing raceways or pulling with one of the existing cables. Believe me, I spent many hours tearing the rv apart.

Here is how I accomplished the task. It does take a long cable and some peel and stick conduit available at most hardware stores.
Facing forward out the front, look up in the cabinet. There might be a small cover panel inside on the right. The path my cable takes is through the right side of the cabinet, then into the overhead cabinet on the right, through it I bored a hole in the corner closest to the wall. Then through some plastic conduit above the slide along the crown moulding. Then all the way back to the entertainment center. Now down the edge of the slide via more moulding, then through the cabinet and behind the fireplace and up to the tv.

This took a long time and patience but worth the effort. Unfortunately after a year I managed to damage one end of mine and have to replace it. I went back to the original cables in the mean time.

One note on the cabinet up front. Mine had very poor air circulation and the components ran extremely hot. I played with small fans etc and ultimately cut a good size hole under the middle and covered with a color matched vent cover. It looks factory made.

My MH is is storage right now so can't send pictures.

[LewF]

Status report: I chickened out on replacing the RCA Home Enetrtainment unit - too much trouble with speaker wiring, compatibility with speakers and sub-woffer etc - and found and installed a new small Samsung Bluray DVD, BD-D7500, in the cabinet above the TV. The picture shows the install.

The install was simple but tedious because of the cabinet disassembly and reassembly required. Mounting the DVD unit was very easy and the vertical position saves most of the space in the cabinet.



The DVD unit has built in WiFi that appears to work very well and allows you to get video from the internet without other devices. All in all I am pleased with this solution.

Lew

[erkme73]

Lew those ceiling mounted speakers look fantastic.

I just finished installing the 35' HDMI cable by running it through the AC ducts. Everything went smoothly... though I have tons of the styrofoam balls everywhere now. I had a 4' long bit to get through a truss that was in the way to the main TV, but other than that on complications

I'd take pics, but everything looks like stock now :-)

[nodine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewF Status report: I chickened out on replacing the RCA Home Enetrtainment unit - too much trouble with speaker wiring, compatibility with speakers and sub-woffer etc - and found and installed a new small Samsung Bluray DVD, BD-D7500, in the cabinet above the TV. The picture shows the install. The install was simple but tedious because of the cabinet disassembly and reassembly required. Mounting the DVD unit was very easy and the vertical position saves most of the space in the cabinet. Attachment 12321 The DVD unit has built in WiFi that appears to work very well and allows you to get video from the internet without other devices. All in all I am pleased with this solution. Lew

Nice job Lew. Now all you need is a reservations for Fort Wilderness!

Bob