How to Install a Digital TV Converter Box in Your RV

Recently I was asked the following question. I need to install a digital TV converter box in my RV. Does it connect to the television or does it connect to the central video distribution box that allows me to change my satellite/antenna or cable televisions?

ANSWER: Here is the information you will need to install a digital TV converter box in your RV

What To Do Before Installation

If you have determined that the TVs in your RV do not have digital tuners, then you need 1 digital TV converter box and an additional cable length for each (the cable length depends on how far the TV is from the DTV converter box). If you have a VCR that doesn't have a digital TV tuner, you'll need a converter box and an extra cable length (more on that later).

When buying converter boxes, make sure they include the analog pass-through option. Analog pass-through allows analog signals to pass through the digital TV converter box when it is turned off. If you are connected to a cable in a motorhome pitch, or if you want to watch a video or DVD, the converter box must be turned off (not disconnected) for the analog signal to pass directly through the converter box to your TV.

If you don't get an analog-digital TV converter box then you will have to install A / B switches and this will basically create an installation nightmare for yourself.

Things To Understand Before Installation

Most RVs have a video switch box with buttons and/or buttons that allow you to choose different video sources for each of the televisions in your RV. These boxes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. But most of the time, you have options such as Antenna, Cable, VCR, DVD, Satellite, etc.

At the back of the video switch box, you will find many cables going in and out of the box, don't be intimidated by these cables. We only deal with the cables that come out of the video switch box and go straight to the TVs in your RV.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not install the digital TV converter box on the cable running from your RV antenna to the video switch box. Depending on the type of antenna your RV has, 12 volts can run through that wire and the digital TV converter box will fry the moment you turn it on.

Depending on how the video switch box is installed in your RV, you may have to move things around to get to the back of the box where all those cables are. Due to the different setups in each RV, I can't tell you how difficult or easy it will be to get to these cables on the back of the video switch box.

The back of the video switch box has labels on every wire that goes in or out. The cables you are looking for go straight to your televisions and have labels like "TV1 Out, TV2 Out, etc." or "To TV1, To TV2, etc." or "TV1, TV2, etc." Again, the labeling will vary by manufacturer. The digital TV converter is installed in-line with your television from the video switch box. Where you place the digital TV converter box on this cable depends on the actual location of the TV.

The digital TV converter box should be installed right next to the TV you will be using it on. Digital TV tuner boxes come with remote controls for setting the box and switching channels. So if you install the digital TV converter box on the TV in the bedroom at the back of the camper, you don't want the digital TV converter box in the camper. Keep in mind that the digital television converter box must be connected to electricity for it to work.

Install the DTV converter box

Now comes the fun part of installing the digital TV box on your televisions. Depending on how accessible the cable to your television is; will determine how easy the installation will be. These are the supplies you will need to complete the job of any television.

1. Digital TV converter.

2.1 extra length TV cable (cable length is based on the distance between the digital TV converter box and the TV). You must have enough cable to reach the back of the TV from the back of the digital TV converter box.

In general, the television is the easiest to install in the front of the motorhome. If the TV on the front is right next to the video switch box, all you need to do is unplug the cable leading to that TV from the back of the video switch box and plug that cable into the 'TV Out' port on the back of the digital TV converter. Now take the extra cable you have and plug it into the "TV Out" port on the video switch box and plug the other end into the "Antenna In" port on the digital TV converter box.

Now we come to the part of the installation that requires a lot of work. If your RV has a television in a bedroom at the back of the bus, you may need to do some research to get to the cable that plugs into the back of the television. In most cases, the television is built into a cabinet. Your job is to reach the back of the TV to get to that cable. I am not going to try to tell you how to get the TV out of the closet as the way they are installed will vary depending on the type and model of your RV.

Once you locate that cable on the back of the TV, the actual setup is easy. Remove the cable from the back of the TV and connect it to the "Antenna In" port on the DTV converter box and take the extra cable and connect it to the "Out To TV" port on the DTV converter box. The other end of the cable connects to the "Cable In or Antenna In" port on the TV.

Special note about VCRs

You can connect a DTV converter box to your RV's VCR, but you really shouldn't as the VCR will have limited performance. The VCR's built-in tuner is useless and for program recording, you have to use the DTV Converter Box to manually switch to the channel you want to record. With a DTV converter box starting at $ 40.00 and up, you can get a good VCR with a built-in digital tuner for the same price.

Setting up and operating the DTV converter box

Now that the difficult part is over, the installation and operation of the DTV converter box are relatively easy. If my instructions confuse you, you can always refer to the user manual that came with your digital TV converter box. These are the steps to follow to configure your tuner.

1. Connect the DTV converter box to the power supply (you would be surprised at the number of problems that occur if this first step is not followed).
2. The DTV converter box should have a switch that allows the box to send an image to your TV on channel 3 or 4. If you cannot find this switch, please refer to your user manual.
3. Switch on the DTV converter box.
4. Now turn on your TV and tune in to the channel you selected in step 2.
5. You should now see a menu on your TV screen. The menu depends on the manufacturer of the DTV converter box. If you don't see an image, ask yourself the following questions. Is the DTV converter box connected and turned on? Is the TV set to the correct channel? Have I set the video switch for this TV to Antenna?
6. Now that you have a picture, you should search for channels automatically. Use the DTV converter box remote control and look for the Channel Autoscan option. If you cannot find this option, please refer to the user manual of your DTV Converter Box again.

Important Reminder: Every time you move to a new location and use your VR antenna, you must use the automatic channel search option to find the channels in that area. Relocating the antenna on your RV can also help you find more channels. Some of the DTV converter boxes have built-in signal strength indicators. Move your VR antenna until you get the strongest signal.

1. Once the automatic scan is complete, you are all set. Now you can use the DTV converter box remote control to choose the channels you want to watch or to choose other options from the options menus. Depending on the brand of DTV converter box you have bought, you may have a lot of other options to choose from to enhance your TV picture, resize the picture to fit your screen. TV, improve the sound of your TV, etc. User manual for your DTV converter box for available options.

Special note when not using the antenna to watch TV. Turn off the DTV converter box (do not unplug the power cord) so that the analog TV passthrough is activated, that way you can use the TV to watch videos, DVDs, and cables as you did before using the DTV converter box installed. Remember to change the source for that TV in the video source selection box in your RV.

I urge you to read the analog transfer section in the Digital TV box user manual so that you understand how it works in your particular box.

Hopefully, this has helped you set up your RV to receive digital television.