Community Forums

bdpreece · 06-26-2008, 01:37 PM

I have a 2004 Tropi Cal which has a RCA flat screen tv in the front and a RCA non flat screen in the bedroom. Both of these TV's were probably made in 2003. Without removing the TV's to get the model numbers how can I tell if they are digital or if I will need a converter box? The manuals seem to be of no help at all.

bdpreece · 06-26-2008, 01:37 PM

I have a 2004 Tropi Cal which has a RCA flat screen tv in the front and a RCA non flat screen in the bedroom. Both of these TV's were probably made in 2003. Without removing the TV's to get the model numbers how can I tell if they are digital or if I will need a converter box? The manuals seem to be of no help at all.

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 06-26-2008, 01:50 PM

They are not digital. We have a 05 Dolphin with RCA flat tube tv's. They are not digital ready either. Most digital ready TV's will be marked accordingly on the cabinet. If you get the model number of the tv you can go the the mfg's website to view the specs. Seems you have a few choices.
Switch to or only use Direct TV, Dish Network as we do. Not much on network tv to get to worried about missing. Buy a converter or buy a new digital ready TV.

bdpreece · 06-26-2008, 02:10 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">They are not digital. We have a 05 Dolphin with RCA flat tube tv's. They are not digital ready either. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was afraid of that. We requested one of the coupon cards but were out on the road when it arrived and it has now expired

May just have to go with satellite only.

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 06-26-2008, 02:29 PM

In two years of full timing, I've watched analog antenna TV twice. Just recently to see the coverage of all the wild fires in California.
We use Direct TV with DNS service. I have a R15 receiver, a tripod dish and a couple of really neat electronic devices called stackers and de-stackers to be able to feed two dish feeds through one coax in the coach. Doing so allows us fully utilize the two tuners in the R15. We record a few shows and movies and watch them at our time frame and skip the commercials. Short story, unless you don't want to spend the $$ on sat TV, the converter will do ya fine but I'm sticking with Direct TV and no converters. Once we upgrade the tubes to LCD's we'll have both.

M&EM · 06-26-2008, 02:31 PM

My coach has a wall sticker in the closet posted by NRV which lists most of the coaches equipment including TVs and their associated model # and serial #.

bdpreece · 06-26-2008, 04:09 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">My coach has a wall sticker in the closet posted by NRV which lists most of the coaches equipment including TVs and their associated model # and serial #. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I remember some stickers somewhere but only thought they had the engine numbers. I will have to go looking next time I go to the storage area. Actually we are headed out next week so I can check then

Bill Adams · 06-26-2008, 04:59 PM

You can simply use the TV channel scan feature. If if shows that it is scanning for both digital and analog you are good to go. In 2003 there is almost no change that this will be the case.
{soapbox on] I cannot recommend that anyone ever be without the option of a local TV signal. While not always available they are your best source for local information. Show a severe storm be headed your way you want to be able to watch the news. Wildfires, flood, tornado, hurricanes, etc. They all happen every day somewhere and you may need that information to save your life.[soapbox off]

historyljc · 06-26-2008, 07:02 PM

Brian, have you got all manuals that came with your coach? You should have the TV manuals in that bunch. That will tell you.

Bill, I can't, and don't want to, stuff another piece in my electronics cabinet. If it gets that bad we have the weather band on the Sirius radio.

jerseyjim · 06-27-2008, 12:54 AM

Your owners manuals should say.....if you have them.
As far as the "cupons"...if yours expired...ask your next door neighbor...or friend...or whomever to get them for you at THEIR address.

Bill Adams · 06-27-2008, 03:14 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Bill, I can't, and don't want to, stuff another piece in my electronics cabinet. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I did not mean to imply that you should. What you do is your choice and you need to meet your own needs. I only said that I cannot recommend that anyone follow that course of action as the local TV programming may be necessary and without some kind of action between now and Feb. 17, 2009 you will lose a valuable resource.

speed racer · 06-27-2008, 04:34 AM

2005 was the first year that digital tuners came in Tv's as standard equipment. My 05 Dolphin has 04 Tv's in it not digital. I have been looking for a 32" LCD that would fit in the front. the smallest ive found was a sony that was 30&1/4" wide. It might fit but I have to take the old one out first to be sure.

Noleakman · 06-27-2008, 08:04 AM

I have a friend with an 06 Dolphin and I have an 06 sea Breeze and they are both analog Its on the paper work that comes with the TV's

2012 American Coach · 06-27-2008, 09:43 AM

I looked into this issue just a couple of months ago. I was told that any TV purchased before mid 2007 would not be digital compatible. Additionally, a local TV station here did a test to show anyone who was receiving their signal over a non-digital network how the transition would work. They temporarily made the switch to a digital broadcast and if your TV was not compatible, you got an error message across the screen. They made the same comment about TVs prior to mid 2007 not being compatible. Now is this all true? Who know, but these were two different sources with the same information.