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Update 2002 Vantare H3-45 Entertainment systems
We purchased this coach several months ag0, and it never had the AMX
system, it was just a 6×1 composite matrix in the bedroom and living,
and everything was composite, so it was a pretty bad picture. The coach
had a 42″ plasma in the living, 19″ tube in the bedroom and bay. So
it needed an upgrade pretty bad to say the least.
In the living I updated all the components except the Bose system
since it is tightly integrated with remote AMPs under the sofa and in
the bedroom under the bed, so I just did some mods to move it higher in
the entertainment system as I needed more room to mount other systems.
The goal, to move to HDMI and have 720P/1080P throughout the bus.
I purchased a 4×2 HDMI Matrix with HDMI to CAT5e built in to the
matrix. I ran CAT5e cables to the bedroom in the overhead chase. I was
lucky enough that Vantare had installed pull string in the upper chase
between the bedroom entertainment system and the ceiling in the living
area. I found the other end of the pull string when I removed the
ceiling panel in the living area right above the cockpit (the panel with
the stereo speakers right in front of the TV). The easier but more
expensive (>$400 per TV) is to use one of the HDMI to RG6 single coax
solutions as you can just re-utilize the coax that is already in
place.
For the Plasma in the front, since it was a business model, it only
had composite and RGB, no Component. So I found a HDFury III that
converts HDMI to RGB and installed it between the 4×2 HDMI matrix and
the TV. And it works like a champ, I am even able to watch Blueray
DVD’s now at HDMI resolution on the Plasma as it decodes HDCP in the
HDFury before outputting it to RGB. The HDFury also has an audio out
port, so I ran that back to VIDEO1 on the Bose system to drive the audio
for the living area.
Next I moved the Satellite receiver and KVH antenna controller from
the rear closet to the front entertainment system. Since I had the
front ceiling removed I cut the cables coming from the dish and ran them
to the KVH now in the entertainment system. While I was there, I used
one of the old runs that went to the KVH when it was in the bedroom closet to attach
to the KVH controller now in the entertianment on the 2nd receiver port
so if I ever decide to add a receiver in the bedroom I can easily do
so. I also added two fans at the top of the entertainment system, and
two to the back of the entertainment system to help keep it all cool,
they are all hooked to a 120 degree snapdisk.
I added a Tivo box (so we can recorde overair and cable, and the
Plasma has no tuner, so it gives it tuner access as well). also added a
Blueray DVD to the mix as well. Everything is hooked to the 4×2 HDMI
matrix. I will be pulling the 19″ TV in the bay next and updating it to
HDMI and a 32″ LCD. But becuase I plan to redo that bay with a new layout (slide out,
with grill which it does not have now, and such). I am waiting till
winter when I can pull out the bay entertainment system and redesign the
layout to complete that phase of the project.
I had to recut a new lexan filler that goes in front of the new
entertainment system. My next plan is to build an insert to go in where
the 19″: TV was in the bedroom for additional storage use. It was a
big chore to do this work, but it is all working as I had planned, so
that is an advantage.I also installed a Cisco Ethernet Router in the cabinet opposite the entertainment system. The Tivo, DISH receiver, Sony SMART Blueray, Samsung SMART TV, and Laser printer are all attached to the new router so they all have high speed access. I have the router setup with DD-WRT such that I can attach it to an RV Parks wireless or to my MiFi as a repeater, such that all the hardwired Ethernet has access to wireless as well.
I installed the CAT5e to HDMI received in the bedroom. I pulled the
19″ out of the bedroom and installed a 32″ Samsung SMART LCD panel in
the bedroom. I mounted it centered over the window. I removed the rope
lights on that side to run the HDMI, Coax, and Ethernet cable to the
TV.
I also installed another A/B Coax switch that I inserted between the
KVH Controller and the DISH Receiver, I then added another coax to the
driver side relay bay that allows me to hook the Satellite antenna
outside my shop to the Satellite receiver so I can watch satellite at
the shop in the coach when I am out there.The back of the new entertainment system:
I added a piece of lexan to the bottom of the 4×2 matrix as I was
having an issue with the cables falling off. They are now wire tied to
the lexan which solved the problem:
Built template out of plywood for fit:
Black Lexan cut and installed over Entertainment syste:
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2 Replies
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Nice Job!
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I wish I knew what Michael just said. But it sure looks like he knew what he was doing.
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