Is installing an LCD worth the effort?

[Zimectrin]

A lot of IRV2 members have switched out their CRT TV's and installed LCD's. Seems to me that the time, trouble, and cost of replacing a working TV may be more of a desire thing rather than a necessary thing. (The same argument may be made for even owing a Motor Home.)

Never the less, for those of you that have done it, I have three questions.

1) Have the LCD's held up?

2) Is it really worth the time, trouble, and expense?

3) Would you do it again? (careful here, if you are close to me, you may be called upon)

[bdpreece]

We were able to replace the front 27 inch RCA TV with a 32 in Sharp which just fit with no cutting of the existing wood trim. All I had to do was fabricate a good solid mount. The hardest part was getting the old RCA out as it was very heavy and required two people. We have only had it for a year but so far we are very pleased with the LCD The picture is better and we got rid of about 50 lbs of weight. Would I do it again? Yes in fact I am considering replacing the CRT tv in the bedroom this year and we hardly ever even watch it so it would be mostly to keep the coach updated.

[Ray,IN]

IMO the cost is not worth the change. We decided to use converter boxes in the RV instead of buying new televisions. In our house we bought a new Sony 46" LCD because our old Sony projection LCD (yes it is, it states so in the owners manual) required repair. We had the old Sony repaired for the family room, and now wish we had not spent the money on the new Sony digital.

[Theberrys]

Our Tradewinds is notorious for having windshield problems and I believe at least some of it is due to the heavy TV in the front. We did have the occasion to drive on a washboard road and I really felt the TV could pull down the whole forward overhead. So just for the weight I feel the swap out was worth the money and effort. I'll admit my hobby is woodworking and the project appealed to be from the get go, but still I'd do it again. Here is a link to some pictures of both the front and the bedroom TV swap out.
TV Upgrades - Windows Live
Dick

[paz]

Replacing an old-style CRT TV with an LCD TV is not worth the effort UNLESS you WANT an LCD TV. Very few installations can be done without doing some finish woodworking. Unless you are a woodworker, you will likely need to find someone to do the woodworking for you.

That being said, I just replaced the front TV, and I liked it so much I'm in the process of replacing the one in the rear. We are full-timers, and I am expending a lot of effort to do the cabinet modifications with no workshop and limited tools.

Even though the screen of the new TV is larger, the picture is better even in standard-def. The appearance completely updated the entire interior of the coach. As someone else mentioned, there is also considerable weight savings.

[Izzyblueye]

Some how RV and TV are just not congruous unless you spend a rainy day inside. I have no need to change anything TV wise, it is just a stopgap time filler. I have perfectly great TV with my present set and a converter along with a Sat portable dish. Way more than I can watch now.

[H. Miller]

Our bedroom TV was in a HUGE box that took up an entire corner! Removal of the TV & box allowed us to add a 32" TV directly to the wall, no woodwork required. Next is the front where the same 32" will fit exactly and we're trying to figure how to redo the cabinet so as to delete the head banging corner.

[Avalondanes]

My old Rv, a 2005 Pace Arrow had a 27" CRT in front overhead. I removed the front trim and measured the box. A LG 32" LCD with bottom speakers would fit.I cut some 1/2" plywood to make a spacer, used "L" brackets to attach in box then used a wall mount for the TV attached to that. Worked great and removed the 50 lb TV off the front. My 2006 RV I have done the same to the front, installed a 28" Samsung in the bedroom and a 42" LG in the outside. I think it is well worth it. The LCD tv's hold up very well to travel and temps. Plasma, however will not hold up as well to low temps, I have been told.

Richard

[two2go]

We had no choice since the OEM picture-tube TV self destructed with smoke and burning plastic smell. Even if it hadn't, I would have done the replacement anyway. The LCD is so much clearer to watch and seeing high definition programming on a HD set is worth it. The bedroom set is still a tube-type and will be replaced this year. Our LCD has held up fine, and I am convinced they are more durable than tube sets.
A consideration for mounting an LCD in an RV is the viewing angle. Horizontal angle and tilt different from the old tube TV may have to be factored in the installation for your viewing position, since LCD's don't have a wide viewing angle. Our front overhead LCD is tilted down quite a bit whereas the old set was straight up and down. I don't think plasma technology is suitable in an RV, particularly if you travel to altitudes or are exposed to really cold weather.

Since the digital switch-over, and because all TVs available now are either LCD or plasma, the old technology will eventually fade away. If you eventually replace the set in your RV anyway, you might as well do it sooner rather than later and enjoy the improvement now. I would think that having an LCD would make an RV more desirable to a buyer if selling or trading. Now that decent 26" and 32" sets can be had for under $400 and even $300, cost is hardly a factor.

[skipwil]

Just the weight factor was enough for me. I think I eliminated about 75# of dead weight. Mine was no problem to remove just HEAVY.This was in an '04 Georgetown two years ago. I'll replace the rear 13" crt in the Discovery next.
Safe Travels.

[John H...]

In my opinion it was a no brainer. I was able to replace both front and bedroom CRT's with LCD's. As mentioned in another post the bedroomTV was in a headbanging wooden corner box that I completly removed with a simple wall mount for the LCD. The front 19" was replaced with a 26" LCD without cabinet work except framing for the mount. Also removed a lot of excess weight and brought the MH more up to date. I would do it again. John H...

[deandec]

I am struggling with the same decision.

I have plasma and LCD tv's in the house. CRTs in the MH.

Replacing a front 50lb CRT with a 22lb LCD has some weight merit if one is close to being overweight on the front axle.

Removing a head knocker is a good reason.

Wanting a wide screen format is a good reason.

Having a bigger screen in total sq inches is a good reason.

Needing digital reception may be a good reason (a converter is cheaper).

A dead CRT is a good reason.

Personally, on SD TV, I find the smaller CRT screens to have a picture that the wide screens try to emulate. (JMHO). HD is no contest unless you have a digital tuner CRT (which I do have).

So, since I am staying with SD and seldom use OTA broadcasting (I hate commercials so I record), and since I cannot add a bigger LCD than I already have in my CRT (total sq inches), I will keep my working CRTs.

I am tempted, however to set up at least two MH tv's so I can transfer my 23' LCD TV/computer monitor and my 37" bedroom LCD to the MH for longer trips. But, I have no valid reason to do this.

[Jim Stewart]

I have never been truly able to see the quality difference in a good CRT and a LCD TV. Maybe it's just me, but the difference is minimal to the average eye. I also do not see the need for the HD. Yes, it's pretty, but I watch TV for the Audio (plots, storyline, news, etc., not the Video. I am sure that Avatar is better in HD than Standard, but then again it's better in I-Max than a Standard Theater.

I have 5 different LCDs in my Sticks and Bricks and I can say that I have never had one last longer than 2 years, yet I have never had a Standard TV go out. With all that being said, If someone will donate the labor and muscle to take out my 26 inch TV and replace it with a nice LCD, I would be more than happy to spend the money. I'm just too lazy to do something that doesn't excite me.

[Jim Stewart]

PS.

While you're here, could you please fix the AC that has a squirrelly problem with the comfort control, re-fix the hot water heater I just paid the RV Service Guy to fix that does not work correctly, re-fix the ice-maker that the RV Service Center fixed that has not worked again, replace the temp gauge that I have sitting on the dash for the one that has never worked, adjust the slide that cracked the tiles that you can not replace because Monaco no longer has any, redesign the black tank that has the "cone of silence" every time you use it because Monaco has no idea how a black tank works (it actually has a stair-step design so that the solids sit in a pile while the liquids run off to the lower tier), fix the rear ladder rung that is pulling away from the fiberglass that has no way to fix, add a real 110 amp outlet (we checked the other day, ever single one runs through the inverter only), find a way that you can leave the gray valve open without the odor from the park sewer wafting up into the Coach from the washer/dryer drain and the Coach could use a good wash and wax.

If you are willing, my DW says she will make lunch!