Entertainment system

cameron

I'm in the process of replacing the original JENSEN 24" TV that came with our Tab 400. It's too small, its resolution is too low, and it's not working. I haven't removed it yet, but it does appear to use a standard VESA mount, so a replacement should be easy, in theory. I will probably have to move or replace the existing mount, but considering how bad it is, it won't be missed.

I was originally considering installing an Apple TV (the little black box, probably mounted onto the back of the TV) to allow us to use various Apple features on the road with the rest of their "walled garden" products, e.g. iPhone, iPad, Macbook Pro notebooks, etc. The things we use the most are: (1) AirPlay (to share a screen from an Apple device to the TV) and (2) non-Apple apps like Plex, Hulu, etc. This simple set of uses would have been overkill for a dedicated (i.e. separate box) AC-powered AppleTV, especially since we don't use the TV all that much -- up until this current month-long-plus trip, we probably used it 2 hours a year, but we wanted to use it more this trip. Anyhow, I have found what I think is an ideal solution: The previous (not current!!!) version of the Samsung M5 Series 27" TV. It's actually a 1080p "Smart Monitor & Streaming TV (Tuner-Free)" with app support for Plex, Netflix, HBO, Prime Video, etc. It also has built-in Apple Airplay, built-in Bluetooth (that in theory can send the audio to the JENSEN radio in the Tab 400), and built-in speakers. So it looks like it will fit (it's close to the size limit!), and it checks all of the boxes.

I've been super-disappointed that JENSEN is still stuck in the 1990s with its technology (CDs and DVDs?!? 720p resolution?!? In 2024?!? 🤦‍♂️) but there just aren't any alternatives with Ultra Blu Ray support, and only one "in-dash" (RV) option with Blu Ray support, the over-priced BD1208 (https://recpro.com/rv-dvd-player/).

Previously, I installed HDMI from next to the bed (see the HDMI port below the fuse box in the pic below) running to the TV:

So the plan now is to run that HDMI, the HDMI from the Jensen, and the HDMI from the Blu-Ray, all into an auto-HDMI-switcher which will then go to the TV. The audio from the Blu-Ray will get split out in the HDMI switch and go into the back of the JENSEN (if you switch through the modes, you'll see one that says "Back" or something like that). Using that input, I can get both the Blu-Ray player and the HDMI in the picture above will both go to the JENSEN for amplification / distribution to the 3 zones of Tab speakers.

The weak spot in the plan might be the TV:

• First, it requires a network connection for its "smart" features and apps. And it does not appear to have any support for a wired connection, i.e. it is wi-fi only. Fortunately, I almost always have wi-fi on the road, so this one is already taken care of, I think.
• Second, while it can play audio to a Bluetooth receiver device, and it supports HDMI eARC for audio return, the TV does not have any "audio out" ports that I could pipe back to the JENSEN. Fortunately, the JENSEN does support Bluetooth, so in theory, the audio from (i) Apple Airplay to the TV and (ii) apps on the TV, can be sent via Bluetooth to the JENSEN for amplification / distribution to the 3 zones of Tab speakers.

Fingers crossed.

Horigan

I've been running my TV with an Apple Lightning Digital Video adapter and my iPhone and send the sound to the Jensen via Bluetooth.  Easy peasy.  You've got me considering a better (bigger) TV now...

cameron

Horigan said:

You've got me considering a better (bigger) TV now...

I haven't received the new one yet, so let me get it and test it and update this thread before you go wasting any time and/or money. If it fits well and works well, I think it'll be a popular option. For the record, the exact model number is LS27AM500NNXZA.