DVD/Entertainment Unit Swap?

[moman1]

So, we just ordered a Fuzion 427 Fifth Wheel and will be picking it up in March. The only thing I didn't like, no, bugged the **** out of me, is the fact that it comes with one of those DVD/Radio all-in-one entertainment center units. Why does anything built after 2008 at best, not have a Blu-ray player? I haven't purchased a DVD in a decade. Anyway, I tried (and failed) to do a search for information regarding whether or not anyone has upgraded their factory entertainment center with a Blu-ray. If so, what issues should I keep in mind. Things I'm concerned with is: The unit in there now has a nice finished look. The BR player is more than likely not going to fit well in the same hole, not to mention there not being a platform for it to sit on. Second, will I lose any features by getting rid of the OEM unit i.e. does the in-command system utilize it? Does it control the outside speakers, etc?

Thank you in advance for any advice or information you can provide me.

Kevin

[laknox]

moman1 wrote:
Thanks for the responses. We just brought the RV home last week and after a little investigation, it seems my task will be more difficult than I first thought. In someone's infinite wisdom at Keystone, they decided it to be a good idea to have the DVD only work on the main TV and not the one in the garage, the master, or outside. WTH!! Do they not think anyone would want to watch a movie on the TV outside? Or in the garage or master? So, I need to decide whether or not to go the easy route (get a Blu-ray for each of the TVs separately) or try to integrate them. I will more than likely just do it separately despite the cost just for the simplicity of it. This could have been such an easy thing for Keystone to do in the build process and would not have cost hardly anything. Sad.

I'd go to a high-end car audio shop and talk to them. I've seen some wicked installs in cars and vans over the years. I'd be willing to bet that you could install a switch that would allow you to send video to any, or all, your TVs. Same with speakers. Really depends on your camping needs. We boondock quite a bit to get away from TV, though I do like to have music. 🙂

I agree that upgraded entertainment systems should be offered as options, just like disc brakes, better tires, solar, etc., etc.

Lyle

[moman1]

Thanks for the responses. We just brought the RV home last week and after a little investigation, it seems my task will be more difficult than I first thought. In someone's infinite wisdom at Keystone, they decided it to be a good idea to have the DVD only work on the main TV and not the one in the garage, the master, or outside. WTH!! Do they not think anyone would want to watch a movie on the TV outside? Or in the garage or master? So, I need to decide whether or not to go the easy route (get a Blu-ray for each of the TVs separately) or try to integrate them. I will more than likely just do it separately despite the cost just for the simplicity of it. This could have been such an easy thing for Keystone to do in the build process and would not have cost hardly anything. Sad.

[tinner12002]

I don't think the in-command system controls your tv or stereo or at least it doesn't on my Raptor. Mine controls mech functions and lighting, not tvs or stereo or any other interior components.

[moman1]

RollandB wrote:
Two years ago I searched for what you are looking for and gave up. We don’t care about outside or bedroom speakers so left the cheap tinning sounding IRV33 for its radio function and purchased a Sony Blu-ray like we have in the house. Then added a Bose Solo 5 soundbar. We are happy with the results.

I don’t know if you will be happy with this, but Best Buy no longer will be carrying CDs. It’s a matter of time before DVD and BluRays will follow. This year I’ll,be looking into getting movies or other content on a thumb drive and insert it into the Smart TV we have in the fifth wheel

I’m sure blu-rays will go away eventually. But I have so many that it should be fine for awhile. Eventually I will transition all my blu-rays to a drive. I only really care about being able to play blu-rays because I have so many. I don’t even really care about the sound quality that much. The RV does come with a sound bar so that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

[kevden]

I put a Blu-ray player in the cabinet under my kitchen counter. I ran hdmi cables to my outside tv, rca and hdmi under the floor to the inside tv and oe Jensen stereo. So, I can watch bluray on either, or both at the same time. With the rca cable connected to the Jensen, the audio can play through the inside or outside speakers. I like to play concert videos sometimes when hanging around the campsite. I have a pioneer touch screen car stereo that I plan to replace the jensen unit with. There are several choices of speaker selector switches on amazon to control the 3 zones. I might get the rotary dial type and mount it in the cubby hole next to the radio.

[topjimmy]

We have no speakers outside the Rv which I think are useless anyway because the inside system is so good we can just open a window and enjoy nor do we have any speakers in the bedroom just the standard tv speaker which is fine with as us we do not even watch TV in the bedroom and also by the time they get rid of DVD's and Blu-Ray I will be done Rving anyway we have been fulltimers for 7 years now

[RollandB]

Two years ago I searched for what you are looking for and gave up. We don’t care about outside or bedroom speakers so left the cheap tinning sounding IRV33 for its radio function and purchased a Sony Blu-ray like we have in the house. Then added a Bose Solo 5 soundbar. We are happy with the results.

I don’t know if you will be happy with this, but Best Buy no longer will be carrying CDs. It’s a matter of time before DVD and BluRays will follow. This year I’ll,be looking into getting movies or other content on a thumb drive and insert it into the Smart TV we have in the fifth wheel

[topjimmy]

I did not buy the System The Sony System came as STANDARD equipment on Montana's until last year That's funny you mention it is annoying to you but the Sony Surround sound with the sub- woofer is so good that came with my Montana it shakes the whole RV it is AWESOME and me and my wife love it when watching a good action movie but you are right you do have to be mindfull of the Neighbors when at a RV resort but alot of times we are at our property and so we LET ER RIP!:B it just as good as being in a movie theatre

[moman1]

topjimmy wrote:
Yep I am looking at it right now it is a Sony BVD-E3100 Bluetooth -Blu-Ray home theatre Surround system with a Sony Bravia TV it is the same you would put in your home not a "all in one" System

I recommend checking out the sony system before you buy. I had one in my motorhome and the subwoofer was sooooo loud and deep, you could hear it from across the campground even when the volume was turned way down; very annoying. I ended up disconnecting it and just going with the sound from the TV because there was no way to turn the sub down independently.

[Fisher_Bill]

Hope it works well for you, I really want that third speaker hookup so I'll probably stay with a stock replacement.

Not many units will just hook up and go for three pairs of speakers and
the replacement should use the same pigtail.

topjimmy wrote:
Yep I am looking at it right now it is a Sony BVD-E3100 Bluetooth -Blu-Ray home theatre Surround system with a Sony Bravia TV it is the same you would put in your home not a "all in one" System

[topjimmy]

Yep I am looking at it right now it is a Sony BVD-E3100 Bluetooth -Blu-Ray home theatre Surround system with a Sony Bravia TV it is the same you would put in your home not a "all in one" System

[Fisher_Bill]

Do you have any part numbers for the sony samsung brands?

topjimmy wrote:
Actually some brands do use quality TV's and surround sound systems and Blu-ray, my 2015 Montana and my 2012 have (had) all home Sony/Samsung brand that is fantastic I am surprised your Keystone Fuzion does not have the same as Fuzions are not inexpensive 5er's from Keystone Anyway my buddy with a Grand Design that had the Junk Jensen Brand all in one stuff and put a Bose sound bar in place of the Jensen and that did help

[topjimmy]

Actually some brands do/did use quality TV's and surround sound systems and Blu-ray, my 2015 Montana and my 2012 have (had) all home Sony/Samsung brand that is fantastic although I did notice on the new Keystone Montana's they have cheaped out and gone like everyone else to an inferior brand Anyway my buddy with a Grand Design that had the Junk Jensen Brand all in one stuff and put a Bose sound bar in place of the Jensen and that did help

[moman1]

Thanks for all the responses. I consider myself to be fairly creative and capable to build or modify the existing cabinet where the unit currently sits. After doing some research last night, I'm confident I can take the unit out, build a platform/shelf for the Blu-ray player to sit on, do the finishing work around the opening, and make all the connections work to the speakers and TV. I'm redirecting my focus on what the in-command unit controls. If it controls the head unit, that is a game changer. I will probably have to add a shelf for a separate Blu-ray player. More to follow.....