Coaches and Televisions Some Insight and Information

One of the greatest innovations in recent years in coach conversion and refurbishment is the new technology in television access and viewing. For many of us, the development of newer television systems remain a mystery. Here, we will try to provide some understandable information about televisions which are currently on the market. We'll also try to provide some information on a television system which may be just right for your own requirements as a luxury coach owner.

When driving down the road, or perhaps looking at a painting or a photograph, we see the image in front of us while we are looking at it. Not so with any television. With any television, we are looking at a 'scan' of an image for either 1/30th or 1/60th of a second, depending on the monitor. Our brains do not perceive the scanning process, so we are 'fooled' into believing that the image is on the screen all the time. Each 'line' of transmission is scanned or refreshed so fast that we are lead to believe we are looking at a complete image.

Since the 1950s, television monitors were only capable of dividing any given television image into 480 lines in the United States. In Europe a slightly different standard was used with over 500 lines.

In the early 1950's, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set a standard called the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard, which said a number of things. First, it said that the 'standard' screen width to height ratio would be 4:3. So, for every four inches wide, the standard image for televisions would be 3 inches high. It also set the rule of 480 lines. So, the television image would be 480 horizontal lines that 'refreshed' on what is termed an 'interlaced' pattern (lines 1, 3, 5, 7, etc) would refresh and then lines 2, 4, 6, 8, and so on) would refresh. This was done to keep down the flicker and ghosting that appeared on early television sets. Perhaps billions of televisions were produced throughout the years based upon this standard, from the old Ed Sullivan years continuing through today.

As the marketplace and technology matured, manufacturers wanted to produce television monitors with larger screens than can be supported by the original NTSC standards. So, in 1995, came the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), which resulted in two new classifications of resolution quality.

The first definition is that of Standard Definition or (SD) monitors. This is the digital equivalent of the old NTSC 480-line screen. There are some differences, however. First, an SD system, although it still utilizes a 480-line screen, it can deliver a progressive-scan signal. Instead of the old 1, 3, 5,... then2, 4, 6,... refreshing, it provides for sequential scanning; 1, 2, 3,..to 480 lines. It doesn't enhance the quality of a picture per se, but it creates a smoother, more stable image, more suitable for a DVD play image, for example. It also is not subject to the 'snow' and still existing 'ghosting' found on the original NTSC monitors.

Monitors which are capable of displaying the 480-line progressive image, but not a high-definition "Hi-Def" or (HD) image are called Enhanced Definitiion or (ED) monitors. These are most commonly found as either plasma or flat-panel LCD monitors. They are less expensive than true HD image producer.

The highest current resolution standard is the high-definition or HDTV. It has two versions: The first is 720 lines progressively scanned and the second is 1080 lines, progressively scanned. These are referred to as 720p and 1080i respectively. These standards provide not only the finest available picture resolution, but also may be able to deliver a Dolby Digital audio signal when used with a compatible surround sound system. So the 1080i image with Dolby Surround Sound is considered at the moment to be the finest image and sound available in today's marketplace.

The format was also changed for the digital world. Remember the old 4:3 aspect ratio from back in the 1950's? That changed too. New standards provide for a 19:9 aspect ratio, providing a monitor which, for every 16 inches in width, gives us 9 inches in height, more compatible with our field of vision and provide an image which is more like that of a movie theater.

The old standby of the conventional direct-view CRT with which we are most familiar, is still the most commonly sold monitor in the marketplace. Although the technology is based upon the same principles first used in 1927, monitors have greatly been enhanced and the size of screens has increased to up to 36 inches. (By now you may already know that screen size is measured from one upper corner to the opposite lower corner). The main advantages to the CRT monitor are: Great color fidelity, high contrast ratios, the ability to produce a true black and at the top end, the most lifelike picture. On the whole, CRTs are the least expensive monitor, however, especially at the top end, there are real disadvantages in depth, weight and limited screen size. A high quality 30+ inch monitor can weigh well over 200 lbs and take up valuable space in a coach...if it could fit at all.

Liquid-crystal display or LCD screens have existed for many years. You may be reading this article on one, in fact. They are usually found on monitors of 46 inches in size and smaller. Their biggest advantage is that they are very thin, perhaps as thin as 2-inches. They offer light weight and have bright images. Easiest to hang on a wall or mount in a wide variety of locations, they have a long life span, perhaps as much as 50,000 hours of use. The big problem here is that they are usually ED models and can't display an HDTV image. Some may be able to provide a 720p image and a handful a 1080p image. They don't provide a true deep black in color, but a very dark grey tone instead. Engineers are at work on this drawback, but current models are limited in this area. LCD screens are popular in many on-the-road applications, particularly were size is a consideration or maximum size is not a requirement.

The plasma screen is the original 'big-dog' large, flat-panel television monitor. The term 'plasma' refers to the gas inside of each picture element (a pixel). Plasma monitors can range in viewing size from 32 to 61 inches, with a depth of just 4 to 6 inches. The obvious advantage to the plasma screen is its size, but it can also produce wider viewing angles and a black color close, but not equal to the CRT. Many plasma screens are HD-capable. The main disadvantage for the plasma screen is that it has a high potential for what is termed, "burn in," so if a fixed image is left on the screen for a period of time, it can be permanently burned onto the screen. Plasma monitors are heavier than their LCD counterparts, heavier and thicker. Those with long experience with plasma screens say that the lifetime of a plasma screen is less than that of an LCD, however this gap is narrowing. Current plasma screens offer between 30,000 and 60,000 hours of operation before they need to be replaced.

The CRT, LCD and plasma monitor technologies are those most commonly found in luxury coaches. However, while we're at it (gasp!) there are two other technologies available for more stationary installations.

In rear project monitors, two different categories exist: the CRT and the 'micro-display.' The original rear projection monitor and least expensive utilize CRT technology. They have the disadvantages of thickness, weight, limited brightness, narow viewing angle and overall brightness. After extensive use, such a monitor would require replacement of all three CRT tubes, which is complicated and expensive. However, for a big screen, they are the least expensive option.

The micro-display units are quickly replacing the older CRT verisions of rear projection units. Some of the nicknames for these units are LC, DLP and LCoS. They are thinner and brighter in image quality. They offer wide viewing angles and don't have the burn-in problems often found in the CRT rear-projection units. Replacement of the projection bulb is simpler and less expensive than a CRT rear-projection unit.

LCD projection uses technology like that of an LCD flat-panel. DLP, which is digital ight reprocessing offers a slightly better reproduction of black but with improved color quality. The newest thing on the rear projection marketplace is the LCoS, which means liquid crystal on silicon. Although it has the same number of pixels as LCD and DLP models, the spaces between individual pixels is magically smaller, resulting in a more seamless picture. This is newer technology and there isn't a lot of proven experience out there on such units.

These are the gizmos that are the slide projectors of the present. They project video images onto a screen or wall surface. Most contemporary units use either LCD or DLP technology and offer potentially huge picture size. Even a home unit can offer a 10-foot size screen. The most common disadvantage is that the viewing room must be rather dark or no picture. So, you will need basically a windowless room without much lighting to truly enjoy a large front projection image.

Today, an estimated 75% of homes have cable television service. The majority of cable operators provide high-definition programming at some level, yet it is still limited. In order to get an HD image, you'll have to get either an HD box from your cable operator or have a monitor which was manufactured with both a DCR and CableCARD slot; a combination which allows you to get both digital and HD cable without the use of a traditional cable box. The best bet here is to check in with your local cable operator and tell them what you are trying to do for assistance.

The usual list of suspects is at work here providing digital and HD programs. Of course, you will need to have both a receiver and dish capable of getting HDTV. As of this writing, one of the major dish providers offers 12 channels of HDTV, however that 12 channels does not have consistent HD programming: Only selected shows offer true HDTV program material.

Perhaps the best and most affordable way of snatching an HD signal is still off-the-air. As of last November, over 1,300 local stations offered some amount of HD programming. You do need to have an ATSC tuner, however, unless you have an HD-ready monitor. Depending upon where you are, such signals may be captured with anything from a small indoor antenna to a larger roof or attic-mounted model for stationary use or an upgraded roof antenna for your coach.

Special D-VHS tape decks can record and play back in HD. But there is only a limited amount of program material available in this medium. Later this year, look for DVDs to become more widely available. Probably the best bet for the long run.

Sometimes bigger is actually not better. There is something called 'optimal' screen size. Measure the distance between your eyes and where the screen will be placed. If you sit too close, your viewing pleasure will be diminshed with a too-large screen. Here's a chart developed for HDTV-capable monitors given a 16:9 aspect ratio:

HD may not always be absolutely necessary. For occasional use, or where space requirements are tight, a standard definition set, a 480i or 480p may be fine. However, when you start thinking about 20" or above, think about getting a unit which is HD capable, as options for HD are going to increase in the coming years somewhat dramatically.

If you are shopping on your own, you are going to need to know something about connections and what they do. For what is currently available in the market, you'll probably want composite, S-video and/or component units. HD devices are switching to DVI which is Digital Visual Interface or HMI, High-Definition Multimedia Interface in order to provide a secure digital connection and superior picture processing. With these connections, you will be as advanced as you can be, given a rapidly changing marketplace and even faster changing technology.

o Look out for tricky demos. If you are on your own at a discount tech-store, be aware that demos which are provided are usually 'tweaked' for the product which is being sold. One coach owner got down to the wire on a Bose sound system, amazed at the great sound until he heard the non-Bose program material and it sounded awful.

o Monitors are like printers: As soon as you get one you get real excited and think you have just had an epiphany. Printers seem to get slower and pictures seem to get fuzzy. It's a perception thing.

o Today's cutting-edge techology is the commodity pricing of tomorrow with such rapidly changing technology. Just last year a plasma screen went from $18K to $8.4K in about four months. Don't be surprised to see what you paid today to be sold for much less in just a couple of months.

o Most importantly, enjoy your system. You've earned it! As you travel the country and enjoy the many pleasures of your coach, a quality television system is a real treat-and a retreat from a very busy world, with news, information and entertainment for you and your guests to enjoy.

If you have made it through this very long article, you are a determined and avid coach owner, eager to enjoy the best on the road. The right investment at the right time will pay off over the years in great pleasure and enjoyment. Keep a little file on how and how much you use your television system and let that be a guide to what size, location and type of monitors you'd like to have, according to your own lifestyle. There are always trade-offs in a coach for space utilization, storage and access. Keep all these in mind as you decide the entertainment system of your dreams.