Entertainment System

[freewill2008]

Some Thoughts:

So far, I prefer 12V components for audio. The quality of 12V
components today is equal to most 120V gear that a person would use in
a mobile application. 12V stuff is compact and designed to be mobile.
I don't have the make/model information here with me, but I've found
everything I need for home theater sound in the marketplace. I believe
it is Clarion that has the good theatre components available. I'll
need to marry them to the existing Alpine CD player/reciever, but
someone starting from scratch would be better off using all Clarion or
some other brand that offers a complete 5.1 solution.

The front salon speakers are already in ideal locations for a theatre
system, although the original speakers themselves weren't even close to
being up to the task. I plan to install a center channel speaker
behind the air intake grillwork up top. It will be heard but not
seen. I've already built and installed a great subwoofer under the
streetside couch. No problem hearing bass above the Cat and road
sounds, so there will be lots of bottom for theatre when parked.

The amplifiers are Alpine. So far there is a 150 WPC unit for the
front speakers, and around 300 mono watts for the sub. One additional
4 channel Alpine will provide power for the center and rear speakers.
This one only needs to be 40 - 50 WPC.

I'll use a 12V DVD player and run the audio through a 5.1 decoder and
then into the amplifiers. The front left/right audio signal will go to
the aux inputs of the existing Alpine CD player/tuner and power amps.
Not sure what the TV tuner will be - probably a Direct TV unit.

Pretty sure the LCD monitor will use a dedicated 12V>120V true sine
wave inverter that is sized to the electrical requirement of the
monitor. That way the power will be independent and hopefully less
susceptible to noise. Also, the complete entertainment system will run
from a 12V source without the need for a "whole house" inverter
running. The same small inverter could power a Direct TV tuner if they
can't supply a 12V model.

I'm not sure what the deal is with XM tuners, but if they are available
with regular left/right RCA audio outputs then you just need an extra
audio input somewhere in the system.

There are an infinite number of methods and components that would work
just fine. These are merely the thoughts of this old guy, who has
spent about half his life designing and building audio systems for
everything from bicycles to sports arenas and a lot of cars, homes, and
bandstands in between.

Bob Griesel '84 FC31 WLII WA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ron & Patty"
wrote:
> I am considering the installation of a Home Theatre System (120V, 167
> watts per channel) in our bus. I envision utilizing the coaches'
four
> existing speakers in the salon, together with the new system's center
> speaker and sub-woofer. I would appreciate hearing any ideas you may
> have tried successfully regarding entertainment systems installed.
> Specifically, 12V verses 120V systems. Another issue is I currently
> have XM Radio, and wonder if it will work with a home FM receiver
once
> installed.
> Thanks,,,,,,
>
> Ron
> WL 85PT36
> Sacramento