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Has anyone fit a satellite TV system to a 2011 Auto-Trail with the media pack? (The one with the double DIN audio unit in the dash). I'm trying to work out the wiring to get both video and audio to the drop-down TV. I'm beginning to suspect there's a terrestial TV tuner built into the dash audio unit.
Spoken to a few people and believe that there is an AV input on the rear of the unit, although I've not managed to get mine out of the dashboard yet to have a proper look.
I assume the input on the back is AV1 as the one on the front (bottom left hand side) is AV2, which takes a 3.5mm plug. The unit comes with an adaptor lead to plug into AV2, which provides you with the three RCA connectors. I've played around with this with a digital camera and whatever is input to this socket also displays on the drop down monitor. I assume that the same is true of the rear AV socket.
On a slightly different note I am disappointed with the performance of the media pack and the Freeview receiver performance is abysmal compared to my Avtex tele that is mounted in the rear of the van.
Sorry I can't be more help but if I get satellite installed in the near future I'll update the thread - need a big wedge of cash first
If I plug an AV lead coming from the AV output of the satellite tuner into the AV inputs on the side of the drop down TV I get a picture but no sound. I've had a look inside this TV panel and there's not much there really!
I suspect the "fix" is to run an AV lead from the tuner (which is in the overhead cupboard next to the Sargent power box) to the back of the audio unit in the dash and plug it into the AV1 input which you mention. Routing this cable is no easy task.
There's an FM transmitter in the drop down monitor. if you go into the menu using the monitor's remote control you'll see the FM transmitter settings.
You can tune the radio in to receive it so the sound comes through the speakers. I tried it out but it was a bit temperamental. The whole setup is a bit clumsy. Best to connect to the main unit I think.
I realise the 2011 may be very different to the 2009 that I have (other than having a different head unit in the dash), plus mine is pretty non-standard anyway, but I've got a box of tricks with a manual switch that sits in the AV cupboard. That can be set so the output is either satellite, Freeview (box is in the AV cupboard) or DVD:
Satellite - assume audio cable from AV cupboard to head unit carries the audio output of the satellite decoder, video cable from AV cupboard to drop down monitor carries output of the satellite decoder.
Freeview - as above, but Freeview audio carried to headunit, video to monitor.
DVD - nothing carried from AV cupboard on audio lead to head unit (sound is coming from the DVD source in the head unit), video cable from the head unit to the AV cupboard is carrying the DVD output and is switched to link to the video cable to the monitor.
With this config the output of the Freeview/Satellite never displays on the internal display of the head unit, but it's not needed as it's on the drop down monitor anyway.
In addition to those connections, the previous owner has had an AV cable routed to the sockets in the bedroom area, so the output of the satellite box (or Freeview if selected) is also available as an AV connection there. Only problem with that is the impedence balancing isn't quite right so there's a bit of interference if both TV and dropdown monitor are used at once.
The above configuration all works...if I've explained myself clearly...but the downside is switching between DVD, Sat and Freeview involves turning a knob rather than being on a remote control; not exactly a hardship.
I have the same setup double din head unit (which has a spare set of AV inputs on the back (AV2))
I added a seperate freeview receiver and media player with the audio routed to the AV2 audio inputs and a seperate video lead to the monitor - although I could have routed the video to the AV2 input but there was a bit more interference on the video.
I used a 4 way audio/video switch so still have space for satellite and something else.
The 2011 Media pack is definitely different electrically to the 2010 - not sure about the 2009. The 2011 model seems to have the tuner inside the audio unit in the dash and the signal goes from the aerial down to the audio unit as RF. I'm pretty sure its a terrestial tuner in there too and not suitable for a satellite system. We had to run AV cables from the Sky box we'd installed (which we'd positioned in the cupboard next to the one containing the power box and just underneath where the cable comes through the roof from the dish) down to the back of the audio unit in the dash and connect in to AV2. It now works fine - but it wasn't a five minute job!
Why do they make it so hard? I'm sure there are lots of people out there who will want to receive satellite TV in their Auto-Trail!
Thanks to everyone who made some input.
Regards
Pugwash.
I'm afraid my comments now become irrelevant as I'm in New Zealand and using the Optus D1 satellite at 160E which is approximately over Eastern Australia. It's the only option here for english language TV and transmits both pay TV (Sky) and freeview. (And lots of other things!). Most NZ motorhomers use it at least for Freeview as the hilly terrain means terrestial signals are not available in most remote areas that motorhomers get to.
The unit is easy enough to remove from the dash - just the usual side release down the sides.
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France
