Television Reception Options

[dennydecuir]

Greetings, once again, Travelers and Adventurers. I have taken delivery of a new Rockwood 2895WS Fifth Wheel, though I have yet to spend a night in it. In anticipation of, and preparation for, our first trip, I was attempting to program the television here at home. The instructions for the Winegard Rayzar Z-1 advise me to turn on the antenna power supply and check for the green indicator light. If this was pointed out to me in my PDI, I missed it!! Anyone have any idea where I might find such a device on that model?

The rig also has the WiFi Ranger, and I'm exploring methods of utilizing a smartphone or tablet with a Roku device to stream video to the TV. I'm sure it has been done, so I'm hoping someone who has already accomplished this will walk me through the process.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!!

[2oldman]

It's not just receiving tv, it's recording it.

[wa8yxm]

Did not see that. The way I do these forums it can be some time between loading a message and typing the reply so it's possible I can miss a "Solved" post.

[Old-Biscuit]

wa8yxm wrote:
The wall plate shown above (May be different color) is what is shown in the install manual for that antenna.

Locations vary but start close to the antenna's "Image" inside (The spot where it is on the roof)

For example my Sensar III + Wingman is on the passenger side above the passenger seat. Now go to the wall.. In one RV I've been in it was in a cupboard that is right there. I(In mine well. mine don't count but it's beside said cupboard. I put it there)

Next spot is nerar the main TV. and yes they do hide 'em

On the RV I mentioned where I got lucky he had a different antenna (Pice of junk in my book) and the "Signal finder" had a wall wart. the switch was behidn the wall wart.. I got very lucky and happend to spot the LED.

OP posted 3 posts earlier he found it.

[Bill_Satellite]

dennydecuir wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
jpante4 has the correct info about the 'green' button.
The biggest issue you will likely have with the Roku option is where you are going to get enough data. You will not be able to use a campground free Wi-Fi as they are over loaded and streaming is now usually being blocked. That means you need your own cellular data plan and even the "unlimited" plans tend to be highly limited before some kind of throttling takes place.

I DO have an unlimited plan from Verizon. I came across an Apple device that plugs into the phone and uses an HDMI cable to the TV, allowing streaming video, but I thought I'd wait to see if anyone suggested that option before I bought one. I think it's less than fifty dollars.

Thanks for the reply!!

There are still some grandfathered unlimited plans and there are some unlimited plans that do not include 4G. What you have and the numbers involved will make a great deal of difference.

[Boomerweps]

Don't forget ALL new televisions have to be programmed via a station search at each new location when using Over The Air signals. And, yup, the new antennas don't work for **** without the booster powered up.

[wa8yxm]

The wall plate shown above (May be different color) is what is shown in the install manual for that antenna.

Locations vary but start close to the antenna's "Image" inside (The spot where it is on the roof)

For example my Sensar III + Wingman is on the passenger side above the passenger seat. Now go to the wall.. In one RV I've been in it was in a cupboard that is right there. I(In mine well. mine don't count but it's beside said cupboard. I put it there)

Next spot is nerar the main TV. and yes they do hide 'em

On the RV I mentioned where I got lucky he had a different antenna (Pice of junk in my book) and the "Signal finder" had a wall wart. the switch was behidn the wall wart.. I got very lucky and happend to spot the LED.

[2oldman]

dennydecuir wrote:
I DO have an unlimited plan from Verizon.

As alluded to, read the fine print. Those Roku posts should help.

[dennydecuir]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
jpante4 has the correct info about the 'green' button.
The biggest issue you will likely have with the Roku option is where you are going to get enough data. You will not be able to use a campground free Wi-Fi as they are over loaded and streaming is now usually being blocked. That means you need your own cellular data plan and even the "unlimited" plans tend to be highly limited before some kind of throttling takes place.

I DO have an unlimited plan from Verizon. I came across an Apple device that plugs into the phone and uses an HDMI cable to the TV, allowing streaming video, but I thought I'd wait to see if anyone suggested that option before I bought one. I think it's less than fifty dollars.

Thanks for the reply!!

[jplante4]

We have the FMCA Verizon "unlimited" plan for $50 a month. They sell you a Jetpack MiFi for a penny. After 25 gig they throttle the speed to the point where streaming is painful.

You'll see WiFi boosters (Winegard has one) but if the park's WiFi is lousy, the booster just gives you a good connection to lousy internet.

Very few parks allow video streaming over their free network. I think the best bet for TV is Dish for RVs. $50 a month gets you basic channels and the locals in your area. Not camping next month? Don't pay the bill. Need TV now? Call and restart the service. Pathway X2 antenna and Wally receiver around $500.

[dennydecuir]

jplante4 wrote:
It looks like this and is usually tucked into a cabinet near the TV



Green light on for antenna, off for cable. Also, get an app called TV Antenna Helper to get the direction to point the antenna where you are.

Yep!! Just were you said it would be!! Thanks! Now, to research all of the other suggestions

[ependydad]

For the WifiRanger and Roku, see if this helps:
http://learntorv.com/cellular-wifi-and-networks-oh-my/

Otherwise, Bill.Satellite is correct about campground WiFi. It's almost always ****.

However, there ARE cellular plans that can work.

[Bill_Satellite]

jpante4 has the correct info about the 'green' button.
The biggest issue you will likely have with the Roku option is where you are going to get enough data. You will not be able to use a campground free Wi-Fi as they are over loaded and streaming is now usually being blocked. That means you need your own cellular data plan and even the "unlimited" plans tend to be highly limited before some kind of throttling takes place.

[jplante4]

It looks like this and is usually tucked into a cabinet near the TV



Green light on for antenna, off for cable. Also, get an app called TV Antenna Helper to get the direction to point the antenna where you are.

[2oldman]

Roku posts in Technology