Keystone says video switch too complicated... - Montana Owners Club

snfexpress · 08-06-2007, 01:53 PM

I like my TV. I'm not going to hide from the fact that I want to be able to watch what I want, from whatever source is available, when I want. And, no, I'm not in a 12 step recovery program for TV addicts - yet.

My wife and I were at the factory recently and I was accused of being an engineer based on my many questions. Now, I don't have anything against engineers - they are important. In fact, my uncle was an engineer for one of the big 3 auto makers for most of his career.

Anyway, one such question was "Why don't you use a video switcher". The answer was that the consumers couldn't operate it - it is too complicated. Another question was, "Why don't you run a seperate feed to the bedroom TV instead of using the antenna source RG-6 for CG-cable back-feed?" The answer was similar to the GEICO commercial: "What???".

As some of you know, I ran a seperate feed to the bedroom TV and also ran a feed to the basement. Yes, it took some real engineering on my part; I find that having a cocktail while trying to solve a Keystone engineering problem greatly helps in keeping the frustration level down.

I also bought a Winegard VS-5312D (the "D" is important as it stands for "DVD") video switcher. I ran component cables from the Q3000 to the living room TV and also composite cables to the VS-5312D. This is important, as the VS-5312D has a channel modulator in it, converting the DVD composite signal to a regular channel - either 3 or 4. It did require connecting the VS-5312D to a 12 volt source. I used the 12 volt light on the side of the TV cabinet as a power source.

I also split the antenna source cable just prior to entering the VS-5312D so that one leg is directly connected to my living room TV. It accepts digital signals as well as the regular compliment of inputs.

Now, I can watch whatever source I desire, on any TV. For instance, we are addicted to "24", so now we can watch that particular DVD on the basement TV while we are outside, sitting next to a camp fire.

My wife, who has always graciously put up with my "bleeding edge" tendencies ("bleeding edge is even quicker than "cutting edge"), is quite easily able to select whatever input she wants, too.

Now, we can watch satellite, campground cable, DVD, and analog and digital (which in some markets is in HD) off-air on any of our 3 TV's.

Here are some pictures:

Here is the link to the video switcher:

http://www.winegard.com/mobile/vidswitch.htm

Ozzie · 08-06-2007, 02:21 PM

...you are one sick puppy...ahem...can you help me with mine?

Ozz · 08-06-2007, 02:22 PM

You are, my friend, a tecno-marvel. Nice job. I will have to read your post 4 or 5 times to try and understand what you did, might be above my muddled brain to figure out, maybe we will just have to park next to each other and chase wires.
Miss you guys, take care.
Ozz

snfexpress · 08-06-2007, 02:29 PM

Planning on parking next to you in South Padre...

Ozzie, I am grateful to help anyone in any way I can. I have learned much from those who are members of this site.

**Carl n Susan** · 08-06-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by snfexpress

Anyway, one such question was "Why don't you use a video switcher". The answer was that the consumers couldn't operate it - it is too complicated.

Since most motor homes now seem to have video switchers, does that mean their owners are smarter than us fifth wheel owners?

Carl (& Susan) Youngren

snfexpress · 08-06-2007, 03:16 PM

Carl (& Susan),

Yup! At least that's the way I read it when I asked the question.

bsmeaton · 08-06-2007, 04:18 PM

That's a nice upgrade Michael - had my eye on that switch a while back while cruising the Winegard website.

Unfortunately the wife has put me on a STOP WORK order! She says no more work hours on the Monty until we stack up some more fun hours in the Monty.

bncinwv · 08-06-2007, 04:33 PM

Sounds like a very smart DW to me Brad!! Although I must admit that my backlog of MOC forum inspired projects is getting longer and longer. I think it is one of those GUY THINGS! Enjoy life whether playing or working.
Bingo

stiles watson · 08-07-2007, 05:28 AM

I will have to yield to Keystone's analysis. I have no idea what the heck you said and I read it twice. You electronics guys write in hieroglyphics and I only understand lower-glyphics. If it has more than three wires (hot, neutral and ground, color coded), I get skittish, fearful I am going to fry everything.

bigmurf · 08-07-2007, 12:42 PM

3 tv's in a Montana? I never had 3 in my stick house! Watch tv from the campfire? Am I getting old here I thought the fire was the entertainment. JMHO

Buffpilot · 08-07-2007, 01:33 PM

Thanks Mike to your previous post i finally got my two tuner Dish receiver going with different pictures in bedroom and living and able to record on both. Now you have answered my next question how can I watch broadcast/cable channels without messing up what I have. I have tried since retirement not to be a bleeding edge guy and stay with cutting edge, but now I got to have it. Thanks again

bsmeaton · 08-07-2007, 01:44 PM

Now c'mon Bigmurf!!

Where do you want to draw the line?

Back when I was being entertained by the campfire, I thought all you folks in them "hardsides" were a little spoiled!

Now even the campfire is fueled by propane, and my camper has a microwave, washer and dryer, a king size bed, central air, and a FIREPLACE

! 3 TVs seems kinda like a normal expectation!

bigmurf · 08-07-2007, 02:08 PM

Don't laugh too loud but we only have one (1) tv in our Montana home. Nice CJ I had a 74 for 30 years. When I sold it I knew we could sell everything else.

bsmeaton · 08-07-2007, 02:14 PM

Hey Bigmurf - If I was fulltiming I probably would only have 1 TV too, as I wouldn't want to give up the storage space for a 2nd TV.

Pic taken in 1977 - so Jeep wasn't too old then. It would have never lasted 30 years the way I treated it though

.

bncinwv · 08-07-2007, 03:53 PM

You all are missing a simple part of that high-tech, new-fangled contraption of a switch. It does have campfire mode built in. Look on the left of the unit and there it is..........the OFF switch!! BTW, we have three TV's in ours also, same configuration - gotta watch football outside!!!!!! Let's Go Mountaineers!!!!
Bingo

dsprik · 08-08-2007, 03:29 AM

Hope this isn't another post, but Michael, do you have a system for reducing the heat out of that upper cabinet? I had my DishNet receiver with my Quest 3000 up there and I blew my amp out of the 3000. I bought a small fan from Walmart and Keystone replaced the 3000 with the new 4000 Quest. I bought a Samsung Blu-Ray and put it on top of the 4000, which was on top of the Dish Receiver. 2 days later, with the fan running, it blew the amp out of the 4000.

I called and talked to the tech who came out and hooked up my Blu-Ray. He said that even though there is heat in that cabinet, the amp should not have went out, especially with that fan running.

Keystone said that "I'm the only one having this problem". I have now gone out and bought 1 1/2" rubber chair leg feet for spacers. I am waiting on Keystone to let me know what they plan on doing. I could go out and buy another amp (don't need the DVD with the Blu-Ray I have), but the 4000 amp would be free and with the extra spacers AND the fan running, it better not be a problem.

I do not have that cabinet vented, but I am envisioning a flat outside vent (I already have a satellite cable connection plate installed on the side of that 3400RL slide) that can be weatherproofed and still make it back and forth through the rubber slide seal without hurting it.

Your set up looks like it is generating a lot more heat than mine...

gitrdun · 08-08-2007, 01:41 PM

I got the same switch in my fiver and it works beautiful.

snfexpress · 08-08-2007, 03:48 PM

As for heat, yes we do generate a fair amount, yet have not had problems, although I do think about it. I am thinking that I might put a fan in the exterior wall with a 4 inch piece of duct work to a vent cover similar to the one used for the stove. But, only when stuff starts burning up - and so far, no flames.

dsprik · 08-08-2007, 04:26 PM

Apparently the amp blew in my 3000, and I assume in my 4000, due to the heat. The tech mentioned that an amp does blow due to heat, but that the Quest unit must not be engineered too well - "flawed" was the word he used - as the amp blew at a rather low temp.

I want the amp for my surround sound. Currently I am running the sound (stereo) from the front speakers of my 32" Sharp LCD. OK, but not what I should have, especially with all my hi-def stuff...

traveltunes · 08-08-2007, 08:27 PM

This fulltimer has one 32" flatscreen and two 19" tv's. One 19" in the bedroom and one 19" in the basement. The 32" in the LR and the 19" in the basement both have Directv receivers on them. I also put the Winegard video control center on the tv's and dvd. Fire? Who needs fire when you have an electric fake fire under your 32" flatscreen tv.lol Campin sure ain't what it used to be huh.

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