[llogan]

Girlfriend is wanting an LCD monitor mounted underneath the kitchen cabinet. Good news is that it just has to display whatever's in the living room (i.e. does not need its own TV tuner). Bad news is that I can't seem to find an inexpensive monitor that accepts a 75 ohm input. Obviously I need to figure out how to supply audio as well so preferably whatever monitor you would recommend would have speakers. Thanks in advance! Looking to keep everything below $500.

 

[sat_uplinker]

I dont know about keeping it under $500, but Sharp has a few LCD TV's from 6 inches to 20 inches, some 4:3 and some 16:9. I think the cheapest ones are about $600, but they have built-in NTSC tuners so you can just plug in the cable tv coax and watch any channel.


bob

 

[Spoffo]

Also, because Sharp is the leader in small flat panel TVs, there are a number of very tidy swing-out and pivot brackets made specifically for their smaller sets. Their 13" set is under $1k and looks like the ideal solution for a under-counter installation. I've been checking them out for a similar situation. The picture is very good, and the built-in sound is adequate.

 

[quince]

I'm looking to do the same thing, so I've been researching this

for a while. Except I will be adding a hidden computer with a

small wireless mouse/keyboard for checking email, datebook

online recipes and grocery shopping, looking up phone numbers,etc.

I've had the 3com Audrey in the kitchen for a couple of years, but

its not upgadable and I am having trouble opening email attachments

and viewing some websites.


Find any computer lcd you like (with built in speakers),

then add this cheap upconverter(see cheese box near bottom):

http://www.tvone.com/upconpage.shtml


Or, for a little more, you can add a tuner(VB50HRTV):

http://store.viewsonic.com/html/ibeC...47638DB1B10247


To mount the lcd under the counter, it would be good if you could

get one that detaches from its base, to be mounted on to a vesa

mount(like from peerless mounts).

Since it's for the kitchen, you may want to get an ivory or silver

model. You shouldn't have any trouble keeping it under 500.



This might work for you, but it's small and I'm unsure how well it performs:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=963239


Here are some flat panels with built in speakers:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=354857
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=489317
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=576385


15" Multi-Function LCD with NTSC, S-Video, TV Tuner and multimedia speakers built in:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=967674

 

[mreloc]

I just purchased a 7" widescreen monitor with CATV tuner (75 ohm) input, speakers, S-vid and composite video input, remote for $249 plus $10 shipping. Yes, I bought it off Ebay, but from a reputable seller with a retail site (and B&M store). I think they sell on their site for $275. I bought it to use in my master bath and since it comes with a 12v car cord, I plan to hook it to mobile dvd for the kiddies on our upcoming road trip to Florida.

The Ebay feedback has been excellent on this unit- mine has shipped and should show up in a couple of days.

I'd post the site info here- but I think it's against the rules (?) - so pm me if you want any other details

 

[llogan]

The cheese box is the key. Thanks for the great post quince, I'm checking the stuff out now.

 

[acheslow]

You might also want to look into the Audiovox VE-500. I picked one up on ebay for just over $100.

 

[llogan]

I'm looking at the Samsung 150MP now actually, it's got a built in TV tuner like the Cornea Systems CT1503. I can get it at best buy for about $449. The question now is one of if I'm doing a 40 foot run from the video source to the display, I was thinking of using RG6 because I've done that successfully before.


Anyone have any opinions on whether I should be running S-Video via Cat5, composite cables, or RG-6? Doing DVI or RGB is out of the question for this particular setup.


I think the S-Video connectors just have punch downs in the back right? What about composite cable, if I had to put my own connectors on, how would I do that? RG-6 is no problem, I do that every day.

 

[acheslow]

I haven't done it myself yet but have heard good results from others who have run S-video over two RG-6. You'll need two breakout adapters like the one here:

http://www.hometech.com/video/svideo.html

 

[boykster]

llogan,


First off, I have the 150MP, and it's a great display...standard tv/composite/etc is a bit grainy on it, but it's very acceptable. Usage as a PC monitor is quite nice. I use it in my kitchen as a monitor for a pc, and for tv usage, mounted right on the wall.


As far as distribution goes....svideo over cat5 works great (I have 2 runs of it for my HT), as does composite video over RG6...2 options on RG6 for composite vid...terminate with std F connectors and get some f-RCA adapters (Radioshack has em), or spring for the Canare RCA crimp connectors for RG6 cable (that's what I'm using now). the canare connectors aren't cheap (~$3.00 each @ markertek) but they work great. The F->RCA route works great too...


I can't remember where I got my wall mount, but it's a pretty neat unit as well...I can dig up the URLif you need one...


cheers,


Rich

 

[llogan]

So running the two coax lines for S-Video would be preferable than just running one coax and connecting it to the 75ohm input on the monitor? What about composite versus one coax, which one's better there?

 

[boykster]

I used these

http://www.hometech.com/techwire/ins...ml#LE-40734SVW


for Svideo over cat5...video quality is quite good for svid...


Composite via RG6 is good too...


for a run of 40ft, either option would work fine.


Rich

 

[llogan]

Ok, bought the Samsung 150MP for $449 plus tax. Now with all of its cool inputs I'm going to have some wiring to do.


1) 75ohm out from DirecTivo 1 via RG6 to 75ohm input on monitor (takes care of the video and audio for that one)

2) S Video out from DirecTivo 2 via 2 RG6 and accompanying audio via 2 RG6 (RG6 to RCA adapters at cable ends) to S video and composite audio in on monitor

3) Still thinking about VGA but will probably hold off for now since don't have high def set up in her living room yet and there's little utility in her having full blown internet surfing capability where this thing'll be mounted.


So with that scenario, it looks like I'm running four coax lines from the living room down to the basement and then back up into the kitchen.


The only problem I foresee now is phasing, i.e. hear sound in the living room and a slight delay to the monitor in the kitchen. Although in past installations, it's not been that noticeable in this type of distance.


This'll allow her to at least use the PIP function on the monitor. Sound good?