Problems with in dash dvd player

[nettie722]

Hi,
New to this forum and just had a question if anyone can help.
We have a 2013 Forester (model 3051) motorhome. We get a
grainy picture on our tv when we put a dvd in the in-dash
player. Upon taking this to dealer, we are told this is "normal"
due to way it was wired at factory. We need to upgrade the
media control box for $675.00 or "live with it" I find it hard
to believe Forest River would just put out a junky product
and expect everyone to upgrade. Feel there must be a
solution ! Thanks all

[4Gcampers]

Are you referring to the front TV or the bedroom TV? Our bedroom TV gets the DVD signal but is so snowy it's not able to be viewed. From what I have learned, the rear TV is not wired correctly for DVD sources. If its the front, quality isn't like my DVD at home, but seems tolerable. I also wondered if an upgrade in that switch box would help, especially if you could find one that and HDMI output.

[nettie722]

As far as I know it's both (would have to check with my husband for sure).
I know for sure it's the front tv.............sigh !

[ATVer]

You could search other posts as it seems a lot of people have issues and problems with this option. My dealer recommended against the option and to install my own DVD system which I did, crystal clear. DVD players are cheap and small so you can easily put one on the rear TV.

[bclemens]

Again, this is wired through a box that splits (component cables/digital signal) into analog coax cable so that you can watch the same DVD on all TV's or different things on all TV's. That is the traditional way that all units were wired...however with HD signals this is not cutting it anymore.

I would recommend wiring directly and not using the switch box if it is an issue. Have the in-dash feed the main TV and a stand alone DVD player for the bedroom. Several on this forum have done that.

[grega]

Hey we just bought a 3051 as well! Love it so far... Except we also have a DVD issue. In fact I can't figure out how to get it to even play on any TV. I can get regular "air" channels with the antenna up but that's it. Any help folks could supply would be great:

1. I put DVD into dash mounted player
2. switch box to DVD front TV
3. turn TV on
4.... nothing

I suspect I need to get the TV on channel 3 or 4 but don't know how. I have all these weird channel 30-1 33-5 or whatever. I've not had a TV in like 10 years now have 3! in the RV. hahaha..

cheers..

[bclemens]

hit 3-0 on the remote control. Or scan for channels when you have the DVD playing. If the E-brake is on you should be able to see the DVD playing on the dash screen (or maybe just with the keys out of the ignition)

[grega]

I did scan for the channels (in air mode) but only got a couple. When I push 3-0 on the remote nothing really happens, then the TV defaults back to 33-0. Which is one of two channels found in the scan.

PS. I can see and hear the DVD in the dash player no problem.

[bclemens]

You need to scan with the DVD playing so it sees the signal. Or try other inputs on the TV.

Also hit 3 dot 0

The "dash" channels are digital. 33-1. 16-1. 16-2

[grega]

Hmm. This is what I have tried:

1. No key in ignition... all things off. :-)
2. switch box on DVD
3. Insert DVD into dash
3. Play DVD
4. turn on TV
5. set source to TV
6. menu -> channel -> air -> autoscan
7. scan results: RF CH: 69 Found:0

[bclemens]

Leave the switch box on antenna and try the scan. Antenna is the input source. If its all running through the coax that should work.

Is it entertainment center or bunk over top? Side TV is easier you can look at what inputs are going in.

[grega]

Used same procedure as above with:
-antenna up
-switch box on antenna
-auto channel scan on air
-RF CH: 69 FOUND:7

then switched box to DVD
pressed 3-0
Nothing

Channels found are: 2-1, 2-2, 13-1, 13-2, 20-1, 33-0, 43-0

This is the overhead bunk TV and yes on;y a COAX is connected to it.

[campingtom]

Also had a problem with DVD picture tried all of the suggested fixes with negative results. Called magandyne during business hours and spoke with one of their techs he took me through a series of prompts the accessed the devices internal settings that fixed the problem. Basically, you are telling the devive where to find the DVD signal to send to the TV. Sorry I don't have the information to give to you but I would suggest that you call magadyne direct and talk to a tech. Hope this helps.

[grega]

That's sounds about right. Seems the signal just isn't there. If you find the details or number please fwd.

I'll post results if I get them..

Thanks.

[DXSMac]

I have had the same problem with the in dash player. If you are in an area where there actually is a CHANNEL 3 (antenna or cable), it will come in clear. But if you are in an area where there is no channel 3, it's grainy. My RV has 3 TV's, the center one has an independent DVD player, and everything is clear.

I have also noticed that the rear TV, being smaller, isn't as "grainy" as the front TV, which is bigger. Both of those are on the dash player.

As for getting the channel 3 or 4, if you are not in an area with a channel 3 or 4, you have to put the DVD in, and then it will "find" channel 3 or 4. Royal pain in the butt. Or, pressing 3-0 or 4-0 will also work, as long as you have a DVD in the player.

I don't like the switchbox or the in-dash player.

[grega]

Magnadyne tells me there's nothing that needs to be done (or can be done) with the DVD player in the menus. I took it upon myself to remove the unit from the dash to check the wires for connection. Everything looks fine.

Still nothing.. The TV's are just not "finding" the DVD signal..

[bclemens]

Not sure how technical you are...but if it was me (I would do this to my own and I have convinced the plant to do the same going forward).

Where the A/V cable runs into the switch box from the dash DVD player...split Red/White/Yellow off of that and hook it straight into AV1 on the back of the TV. Then Air will be "Over the Air" channels. TV input AV1 will be DVD player, plus it will be a clearer picture.

I would have to be there to walk through the steps as it sits currently. We've used a few different switch boxes over the last year or so trying to find a good one.

As a side note, if you have a power antenna (little button on the plate where you TV 12V plugs in) that needs to be OFF (no light, or popped out) for the DVD player signal to get through.

[bclemens]

OK, just checked this on a unit waiting to ship out front.

1. Put DVD in dash. Auto play started. Verify sound & video on dash screen.
2. Switch box on DVD-DVD-DVD
3. Front TV on. Input was ANT. Was on channel 16 which is our local station.
4. Menu-Scan for channels.
5. Once it passed channels 3 & 4 I stopped the scan.
6. DVD was playing on Channel 4-0, channel up, got 16, channel down, back on 4-0

I have asked for a direct hook up (as opposed to coax) at least on the front TV. I noticed on this switch box there is a "DVD IN" and below that a "DVD OUT". Those are Red/White/Yellow. Then Coax OUT for 3 TV's. I noticed that there were cables in the DVD OUT, so I tested my request. I switched the input from ANT to AV2 and there was the DVD playing again.

IF your switch box does not have cables in the DVD OUT, then you can just hook those cables into the back of the TV into AV2. No scanning, no nothing. Just switch the input on the TV to AV2 and you'd got your DVD playing.

By using the INPUT-ANT, you need to scan for the signal, just like over the air channels. With AV2 it is a digital signal and it will just play whatever signal is feeding AV2.

[grega]

This is becoming quite the project. :-) So, I repeated your procedures above with still no success. Next I pulled the switch box out and begun to review all the cables in/out of it. I noticed there was a red/white/and yellow set on the DVD in. So I assume this is the DVD from the dash player. The cable was quite long and I was able to connect it directly to the same into the side of the front TV (AV1). This should play no problem, right? Still no movie..

Next up I suppose I need to pull the DVD out of the dash and make sure the R/W/Y is connected to the proper output...

[bclemens]

That would be my logical next step. See if the wires got pulled loose in the dash.