upgrade to dvd player and 12v TV

[Camperklahowya]

Hi All,
picking up a 2022 Passport 221BHWE in a couple of days.
We do a lot of dry camping and the kids like to watch a movie at night so I need to look into some upgrades.
currently the stereo has no dvd player and the TV operates off of 110.

1- need to upgrade the stereo to include a dvd player. seems straight forward, but what is the connection between these RV dvd/stereo units to a TV, is it HDMI or...?
2- Need to swap out the TV for a 12v model. Trying to figure out 12v power source. There is a standard 110 plug and cable/satellite connections in back of the TV.

Wondering if anyone can offer some insight, thanks.

[bsmith0404]

Not sure on the new ones, but many just used RCA jacks. Be nice if they could upgrade to HDMI, but I think the 12v stereo is the limiting factor. Not many with HDMI ports. The easiest way to get 12v is to buy a small converter that plugs into to the 110 outlet

[mikec557]

I would investigate easier, cheaper, solutions. If your TV is not too large you can run both the TV and a blu-ray player off a 200 watt 12vdc to 120vac inverter. Of course whether you run this off an inverter or you buy 12v TV and DVD player, you still need to figure out how you will recharge your batteries.

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Congrats on your new purchase, let’s see if we can get you going to watch tv/movies while dry camping.

You can start with this tv:

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-TV/Jense...ent=0%20-%2030

Now the only issue is getting 12V to the TV. If the radio is right there you could easily tap into the power/ground to the radio.

Get a 12V receptacle and your good to go.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by mikec557

I would investigate easier, cheaper, solutions. If your TV is not too large you can run both the TV and a blu-ray player off a 200 watt 12vdc to 120vac inverter. Of course whether you run this off an inverter or you buy 12v TV and DVD player, you still need to figure out how you will recharge your batteries.

^^^^I agree with mike557. You can get a small pure sine inverter for less than $100.

[bsmith0404]

Another option, portable DVD player. I believe there’s some out there that have ports to plug into a larger computer screen/tv. They run off battery or 120VAC and are rechargeable. If I remember correctly from when our kids were smaller, you can get 8-10 hours off a fully charged battery. Combine that with a small inverter for the tv and you’re gtg as long as you have a way to recharge the rv batteries such as a small gen that you can run a couple hours.

[mikec557]

Another method...

We've eliminated the Blu-ray / DVD player by using a Roku (with a USB port, $99 model) and putting all our movies and TV shows on a small portable hard drive. Use a normal HDMI cable from the roku to the TV.

[Camperklahowya]

that's a great idea and worth a shot before I throw more money at the problem. Question - it looks like they all are equipped for car chargers. Electrical stuff is not my strong point, how do I convert that to tie into my 12v system?

Also like the fact that this could be another useable outlet for more than just the tv and dvd player.

[Camperklahowya]

Originally Posted by mikec557

Another method...

We've eliminated the Blu-ray / DVD player by using a Roku (with a USB port, $99 model) and putting all our movies and TV shows on a small portable hard drive. Use a normal HDMI cable from the roku to the TV.

that is a brilliant solution! So you're using a standard tv for home use? Does it hold up to all the bumps being in a trailer?

[mikec557]

Originally Posted by Camperklahowya

that is a brilliant solution! So you're using a standard tv for home use? Does it hold up to all the bumps being in a trailer?

Our RV came with a tv. In theory, the manufacturers supply TVs that can survive the bouncing roads. But if you need to bring a home tv with you, just lay it flat on the bed and you'll be fine. Secure it on the bed so it can't slide off.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Camperklahowya

that's a great idea and worth a shot before I throw more money at the problem. Question - it looks like they all are equipped for car chargers. Electrical stuff is not my strong point, how do I convert that to tie into my 12v system?

Also like the fact that this could be another useable outlet for more than just the tv and dvd player.

Just buy a 120v to cigarette lighter converter. About $15 on Amazon or just wire a cigarette lighter into the 12v on the back of your current radio…….or both.

[Camperklahowya]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Just buy a 120v to cigarette lighter converter. About $15 on Amazon or just wire a cigarette lighter into the 12v on the back of your current radio…….or both.

thanks for the reply, but the problem is there is no power to any of the outlets. dry camping so only 12v system has power. Thanks!

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Camperklahowya

thanks for the reply, but the problem is there is no power to any of the outlets. dry camping so only 12v system has power. Thanks!

Auto parts stores have 12V outlets and you can tap into the stereo power.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by Camperklahowya

thanks for the reply, but the problem is there is no power to any of the outlets. dry camping so only 12v system has power. Thanks!

If you use an inverter, it’ll have the 120v. If you don’t use the inverter, you can wire into the 12v on the current radio. That’s why I mentioned either or both. You have options either way, just depends on what type of system you decide to go with.

[bobbecky]

https://www.amazon.com/Jensen-JTV191.../dp/B00QAB1EJY

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

https://www.amazon.com/Jensen-JTV191.../dp/B00QAB1EJY

Amazon does have better prices, I just linked to the first Jensen 12V with built in DVD. The picture is actually very nice. I had to PDI a LOT of Class C Sun Seekers with the Jensen 12V TVs.

[flybouy]

Most RV radio/DVD players sold for at least the last 10 years have HDMI outputs and many have HDMI inputs as well as usb inputs and toslink (fiber optic ) audio inputs. Jensen is one popular brand (asaelectronics.com) . If you go to their website they have an RV electronics page with all the information on their products. Crutchfield.com also sells RV radios and their sales consultants are very knowledgeable.

[bsmith0404]

Didn’t spend a lot of time looking at them, but most of what I saw with HDMI outputs were a pass through HDMI output with an input on the front. They didn’t have an internal DVD player. I don’t really understand that since it still requires an external DVD player that could actually just be connected directly to the tv which kinda defeats the purpose. There are a couple that use Jensen jcon, but my understanding is you have to have a Jensen TV for that. Couldn’t find much info on it, but will admit I didn’t spend a lot of time looking.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Didn’t spend a lot of time looking at them, but most of what I saw with HDMI outputs were a pass through HDMI output with an input on the front. They didn’t have an internal DVD player. I don’t really understand that since it still requires an external DVD player that could actually just be connected directly to the tv which kinda defeats the purpose. There are a couple that use Jensen jcon, but my understanding is you have to have a Jensen TV for that. Couldn’t find much info on it, but will admit I didn’t spend a lot of time looking.

Here's just one example... https://www.asaelectronics.com/product/jrv9000r/ didn't take a lot of time to "search" to find out. No it doesn't require an external DVD player as it has one built it. Furrion also makes similar models.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Camperklahowya

that is a brilliant solution! So you're using a standard tv for home use? Does it hold up to all the bumps being in a trailer?

I have a 2002 Cougar and have used two televisions in my camper; first was just too big (40") and second is a 32". Both were cheapo units from Wallys. I seriously doubt that an RV specific television is made any differently to withstand bouncing than the wally units. Current model is a Specter (I think that is the spelling) and cost about $100. Sound is poor so we use a soundbar to overcome the air conditioner noise. I would consider a small inverter and not spend the extra money on 12VDC appliances but then again, I am cheap.