by Joel N. Sturman
Ouch! That was my first reaction when I heard what they wanted for the "optional" television. I knew I was paying big bucks for the new class-C recreation vehicle I was about to order, but I thought $795 was a bit much for the 13-inch TV/VCR-player. And, that did not include the optional "Deluxe VHF TV Antenna". Moreover, I was impressed with neither the 16"x18" shelf space that would be permanently occupied by this golden icon nor the fact that reception would be limited to local broadcast channels.
Everyone's camping preferences are different. My wife and I prefer public campgrounds where we consider ourselves lucky to get electric and perhaps water hookups. Cable TV is always out of the question and the limited VHF reception and selection is usually poor if it exist at all. I found myself staring at my notebook computer, beside me on my desk with its 14.1-inch high-resolution color display, which conveniently stows when not in use, occupying a significantly smaller footprint than the smaller screened television set. Why not use my laptop computer as my display for satellite TV reception?
The Display: My first endeavor was to assure myself that I could obtain a satisfactory video image on my Macintosh Powerbook. Most laptops do not provide for a video input port. However, there are usually one or two PC-card slots for extending the computer's capabilities. A brief search on the Internet led me to IREZ Research Corporation a division of PAR Technologies, manufacturers of a PC-card, which they call CapSureª. (IREZ Research Corporation, Minnetonka, MN - http://www.irez.com) This PCMCIA Type II card allows you to watch full-motion, 30-fps video on your laptop at up to 640 x 480 pixel display resolution. The card can be used on Macs as well as wintel PCs. For approximately $100.00 I was able to acquire the necessary card and accompanying software. CapSureª seems to be aimed at a computer user interested primarily in movie to still-life video capture capabilities but, for my purposes, simple display of a TV image limited to 640 x 480 pixels was all I was looking for. After installing some software provided by the manufacturer, the card plugged in easily. I found the image quality quite satisfactory. The Capsureª card does not accept a radio frequency (TV) signal but rather requires the supply of either a Composite Video signal or S-video signal. (More about this later.)
The Antenna: My RV dealer was willing to install a TV antenna of my choice, which I was to supply. I was credited with the $100 that the VHF television antenna would have cost the dealer and provided him with a permanently mounted Winegard¨ Crank-Up Model-RD4600 Digital Satellite
System Antenna. (The Winegard Company, Burlington, Iowa (319) 754-0600 http://www.winegard.com) This set me back net $69 after I applied the credit for the dealer's unused VHS TV antenna. You really have a choice to make here. One can install a portable satellite dish on a tripod, a permanent rooftop mounted crank-up antenna, or a fully automatic system, which will find your satellite with the push of a button (and the expenditure of $1,000). You should investigate all alternatives as they might better meet your needs or personal camping style. I have found the rooftop installed Winegard¨ RD-4600 Crank- up RV Digital Satellite Antenna (available for $169 ) quite satisfactory. (Available at Prime Focus, Mesquite, Texas (972) 412-3474 http://www.primefocus.com)
The Receiver: The selection of the Winegard RV Satellite Dish was partially influenced by an introductory offer by its manufacturer and Echostar Communication Corporation, the company behind Dish Network. If you provide Winegard with proof of purchase of their Satellite Antenna, they will sell you a basic Dish Network receiver (Model 2700) for the price of four month's basic program service ($79.96) plus shipping and handling charges. Upon initiation of service with Dish Network (The basic service rate is $19.99/month), they will then credit your Dish Network account with $79.96. The net cost of the receiver to you is therefore nominal. The Model 2700 receiver provides connectors in the rear for left and right channel audio output as well as video output through either S-video or Composite video (RCA Connector) output jacks.
The Audio System: The majority of today's laptop computers have provision for audio input signals and are equipped with speakers. The Model 2700 satellite receiver provides left and right channel audio output signals and connecting the receiver to your laptop would furnish sound with your picture. However, in most cases, the space constraints of a laptop computer limit the quality of its audio system. You have paid a tidy sum for your rig. Why listen to your television on 20¢ speakers? A better solution would be the installation of a dedicated audio system. I found Radio Shack's trunk- mount 50 watt dual channel auto amplifier (Model 12-2013 $39.99) and a set of their 4" Optimus¨ Pro 7AV speaker enclosures to be a worth while add-on to your new TV system. (Radio Shack -- A Division of Tandy Corp., Fort Worth, Texas http://www.radioshack.com)
The Inverter: The addition of a small (100 watt) DC to AC inverter to your TV Satellite system will provide you with the degree of independence demanded by most RV campers. Not only will this permit TV reception during those dry camping excursions but you will find that you may have need for the inverter at times when you are not connected to your normal campsite utilities. The lush shaded campsite is not conducive to satellite reception, which requires line of site to the satellite located in synchronous orbit. approximately 22,300 miles above the equator at 119 degrees west longitude. (Approximately due magnetic south of the Grand Canyon) TV reception in densely wooded campgrounds may require moving your rig temporarily to a beachfront or a parking lot without overhead obstructions. The use of an inverter provides this level of location independence and site flexibility.
The Installation: Installation of the above equipment is fairly straightforward and, of course, depends upon the layout of your particular rig. I found some out-of-the-way cabinet space in which to store the satellite receiver. You can prevent the receiver from shifting by placing 1x4 x 1x4 wood molding around the base of the unit. Care should be taken to assure adequate ventilation above the receiver.
The Model 2700 is controlled by an infrared remote control. Installing the receiver inside a cabinet presented me with a serious control problem which was resolved by purchasing a "peep-hole-viewer" (door view port) similar to that probably found in your own front door. A little cutting to size and careful placement near the infrared detector on the receiver resolves this dilemma.
You should now be ready to enjoy years of happy camping with your satellite system. If only you could do something to improve television program content, all your problems would be resolved.