Concertone surround sound...

by TC on 10/8/2010, 7:16 am

Has anyone figured out how to utilize the surround sound speakers without directly using the Concertone unit?

Mine has A/V inputs 1 and 2. 1 - says video games only. 2 - says for use with DVD or Camcorder. My idea was to utilize one of those inputs to the back of my flat screen TV. If I can get surround sound from the TV, all other components attached to the TV would also have the surround sound effect. But, I tried hooking up the A/V out from the TV to input 1 on the Concertone, then dialed the Concertone on input 1. NOTHING happened except some humming through the surround sound speakers. Is there a more appropriate way to get surround sound using what I already have?

TC

by Sean on 10/8/2010, 8:36 am

I have tried to do this as well TC but failed. My Concertone hummed on one of the rear speakers, so I added my old home multi disc DVD/tuner player with the front and center speaker. I disconnected the rear speakers from the Concertone and connected them to the rear output of the DVD player.
Works really well. If you want I'll post a picture.
Sean

by dragynj on 10/8/2010, 9:52 am

stupid question, but are you sure your TV have an A/V "out"? You may be just hooking up an A/V "in" (from the TV) to an A/V "In" (on the concertone) which would explain the hummmming. I guess I've never seen a tv with an a/v out, always in's.

by Sean on 10/8/2010, 10:07 am

dragynj wrote:stupid question, but are you sure your TV have an A/V "out"? You may be just hooking up an A/V "in" (from the TV) to an A/V "In" (on the concertone) which would explain the hummmming. I guess I've never seen a tv with an a/v out, always in's.

My Concertone had a hum when ever you turned it on (cheap and nasty comes to mind). Most Tv's in the U.K. come with audio out.
My Tv in my house has 3 HDMI, 2 Scart, 1 SVHS, 2 RGB, Digital audio out, AV out, and 1 PC connection +USB. never used them all, because that would mean I would have to read the manual,
lol!

Sean

by TC on 10/8/2010, 11:10 am

Post what you can Sean, I'd sure like to figure this one out. I think alot of people would like this mod as well.

Dragynj - I do indeed have 1 A/V out.

I'd even be willing to cannibalize the Concertone and just use the speaker wires, but wouldn't know what to hook them up to short of another receiver.

TC

by dragynj on 10/8/2010, 12:22 pm

Just as I thought, you have it under control! lol!

I'm fed up with my Concertone. I've seen the replacements mentioned on here (i think their panasonic?) I'm about one season away from scrapping the whole thing and putting a receiver in there. I'll buy a cheap car stereo for the 12v radio when we are really in the boondocks, but that concertone and speakers have to go.

Good luck with your situation!

by Sean on 10/8/2010, 9:57 pm

I used my old home DVD multi disc player tuner; I used the original front speakers, sub-woofer, and centre speakers of the DVD player and the 2 rear speakers of the Concertone. This allows me to still have music/sound in the living area, bedroom and outside. The main draw back about using a mains unit for the DVD is I have to use a inverter if I have no mains power. (I also have to do this to watch the TV) I use the Audio out from the DVD player into one input to the Concertone and the Satellite into the other. On my Concertone the speaker wire colours where Left Yellow yellow/black. Right White white /black . [img]

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In this picture hopefully you can see the original sub-woofer laying at the rear of the E/center, with the DVD one standing upright, nice tight fit. If you look carefully you might see the cut wires from the Concertone, tied in a loop.

[img]

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This picture just shows the E/center the 2 front speaker move with the slide, but lay on the floor for traveling, the center speaker just fits on top of the Satellite box on the right, DVD on the left. They stay in this position even when traveling. Center speaker is held with blue tac and the Sat/DVD player sit on a non slip mat. For the sharp eyed amongst you the loop of cable and the cable above on the left hand side of E/center, is for the Satellite dish which is fitted to the roof just to the side of the slide out the loop enable the side to move in and out with out having to worry about the cable. I am pleased to say that the results are quite good, Quality picture from DVD very good sound, and I can tune in to most Radio broadcast on the tuner built into the DVD player. American radio units only seem to tune into odd numbers (96.3, 102.7) where as in the U.K. we also use the even numbers (98.6, 105.4)

by Mopar_Earl on 10/12/2010, 6:53 pm

TC,
Maybe this post will help http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/maintenance-repairs-trouble-shooting-service-warranty-f12/concertone-zx600-t1781.htm

The surround sound needs a processor (Conertone) to work. Other wise their just everyday speakers that won't function without the Concertone or another surround sound controller.

Earl

by TC on 10/15/2010, 3:06 am

Thanks for the link Earl.

TC

by PapaJim on 11/13/2010, 2:47 pm

Not sure which Concertone model you have. I have a ZX75. I got a "Y" cable used to connect an IPOD to an external audio source. Connected the red and white cable ends to the TV audio out and the IPOD connection end to AUX input in the front. Switched the mode to Input 1 on the Concertone and bingo I have surround sound from the TV.

by onetonford on 11/27/2010, 9:00 am

I have the output AV1 from TV plugged into the av1 to the Concertone Shut off the speakers from tv and turned volume on TV to 100% and use channel 1 and volume control from concertone to control sound works Great! no hum. I have the ZX75. Before If I left the TV speakers on the TV would be to loud to hear the concertone. I guessing you need to turn off the TV speakers because you need the TV volume up high enough for the concertone to get enough signal to work otherwise the input signal is just too low.

by azandy700 on 11/28/2010, 8:26 am

If we keep our current Cat another year, I'm sure to junk the concertone and maybe figure out the existing wires and hook up a 110 unit. Maybe a Yamaha like our stick build home has. Or at least something real. We have really only used the concertone one time in 12 volt mode in two years. Wouldn't have had to either. We spend a lot of time outside but would be nice to have something good we could actually use when we are in.

by BobnPi on 11/29/2010, 4:00 pm

We have used our Concertone several times, watching movies with the grandson. DW and I were alone last trip and tried to use it. Nothing... Nada... No worky... No light...

I pulled the fuse and replaced the same fuse and everything worked fine. I'm not happy with this unit and have had a few other problems with it. I'm going to replace it next year as budget allows. I'm sure I'll be asking at that time what everyone will recommend. New gadgets may be out by then.

by TeamPlumlee on 11/30/2010, 9:57 am

BobnPi wrote:We have used our Concertone several times, watching movies with the grandson. DW and I were alone last trip and tried to use it. Nothing... Nada... No worky... No light...

I pulled the fuse and replaced the same fuse and everything worked fine. I'm not happy with this unit and have had a few other problems with it. I'm going to replace it next year as budget allows. I'm sure I'll be asking at that time what everyone will recommend. New gadgets may be out by then.

We've experienced this several times. Turn it on and nothing, remove and replace the fuse and bingo. Very frustrating but other than that actually like the Concertone. We even use it to view the SD card from our deer cam at the deer lease!

by Mopar_Earl on 11/30/2010, 5:54 pm

BobnPi wrote:We have used our Concertone several times, watching movies with the grandson. DW and I were alone last trip and tried to use it. Nothing... Nada... No worky... No light...

I pulled the fuse and replaced the same fuse and everything worked fine. I'm not happy with this unit and have had a few other problems with it. I'm going to replace it next year as budget allows. I'm sure I'll be asking at that time what everyone will recommend. New gadgets may be out by then.

This happens on mine as well, but only during winter storage. In the spring I reboot it and it's good all season. I've been lucky, my Concertone hasn't failed or had any issues yet. I love it for now.

Earl

by Bob Fields on 12/3/2010, 8:35 am

Hello All,

I have been participating on the ForestRiverOwnersForum for some time and someone sent me a link to this thread. I understand there have been questions/comments/concerns regarding Concertone Systems and I offer to help where I can. I recently joined Concertone's parent company as VP Sales & Marketing.

That said, how many here participate on the ForestRiverOwners Forum? I ask because I have detailed my position and a number of issues there and do not wish to bore everyone repeating many of those comments here if the majority participate in both places. If not, I am happy to discuss any and all issues.

Thanks to those of you who use our systems and my apologies to those needing assistance. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you. I am happy to discuss anything here on the Forum, but I do request that you contact me directly too ensure a timely response.

Thanks!

My contact information is as follows:
Bob Fields
bfields@concertone.com
574-343-1165 - Office
Elkhart, IN

by Sean on 12/3/2010, 9:14 am

As you can see by the amount of comments on this forum there seems to be quite a lot of discontentment with the concertone unit.
I can not speak for other forum members but on the Wildcat forum I can find all the information I need, and all the help I want from members with Wildcats, who know the pros and con's of the unit as a whole. I hope I don't sound rude but this is how I feel.
Sean

by Bob Fields on 12/3/2010, 10:16 am

Sean wrote:As you can see by the amount of comments on this forum there seems to be quite a lot of discontentment with the concertone unit.
I can not speak for other forum members but on the Wildcat forum I can find all the information I need, and all the help I want from members with Wildcats, who know the pros and con's of the unit as a whole. I hope I don't sound rude but this is how I feel.
Sean

Sean,

I am unsure where to start with your response here and the last thing I want to do is offend you with my first and second posts!

I understand from your response that you are a self sufficient guy and you don't want my help because you get all the help you need here on this Forum. That is great, but I am here if you ever need.

I hope you did not take my reference to the ForestRiverOwnersForum as a knock on this Forum. I simply stated that I have been over "there" for a while now responding and helping with similar issues. I recognize that Wildcats are a Forest River Brand, so I asked how many here are there so as not too bore any of you by stating the same thing over again.

Lastly, we can find a level of discontent with just about any product and Concertone is no exception. I have not yet reviewed every Concertone thread here, but my search for "Concertone" shows 31 threads. Of these 31 Threads, 10 Threads are updated this year (2010) and 10 were updated last year (2009), the remainder were older. When you consider everything the different Concertone models do and the total number of units we have shipped over a twelve year period, that does not seem all that bad to me. That said, it has been a burden for the folks who have been affected directly and to those I apologize and restate that I am here to help as I can.

Concertone has listened and has made enhancements in a number of areas including bringing me on board a few months ago. I am very excited about the future of the RV Industry and my company's place within it. I am open to any suggestions and comments any of you may have.

All the best,
Bob

by MountainMan on 12/3/2010, 10:37 am

Bob Fields wrote:Hello All,

I have been participating on the ForestRiverOwnersForum for some time and someone sent me a link to this thread. I understand there have been questions/comments/concerns regarding Concertone Systems and I offer to help where I can. I recently joined Concertone's parent company as VP Sales & Marketing.

That said, how many here participate on the ForestRiverOwners Forum? I ask because I have detailed my position and a number of issues there and do not wish to bore everyone repeating many of those comments here if the majority participate in both places. If not, I am happy to discuss any and all issues.

Welcome and glad to have you here Bob.

As per your question above - I don't visit the FROwners forum at all and doubt many here actually do. As Sean pointed out we have a friendly, knowledgable group thats glad to help other Wildcat owners here. I would think the majority of members are like me and come to this forum for help/answers or just friendly conversation about camping.

We love the features of our concertone in our camper. Our only problem in a years worth of use is it seems to struggle with the "layer change" of some DVD's and will freeze up. This may happen on 1 out of 5 DVD's we play. I hope the problem does not get worse with age but now I know who to come to if it does. Wink

Again, welcome to the forum. Any help you can provide members here with Concertone problems or questions would be greatly appreciated by all.

by Bob Fields on 12/3/2010, 11:19 am

Thanks and I look forward to the conversations!

What model Concertone do you have?

by MountainMan on 12/3/2010, 11:41 am

Bob Fields wrote:Thanks and I look forward to the conversations!

What model Concertone do you have?

We have the ZX75.

by Mopar_Earl on 12/3/2010, 1:56 pm

Bob Fields wrote:Thanks and I look forward to the conversations!

What model Concertone do you have?

Bob Fields!

I have a Concertone ZX600 and I love it! I just wish the Concertones were brought up to modern video outputs. Still using composite should be a crime!!!!!! Why no HDMI output???? At the least component output, but that’s already outdated. I checked out the latest ZX690 ever hopeful for a better video output and still only composite. If the ZX690 had a better video output I'd upgrade in a heartbeat!

I think if you added a small fan to the housing and call for a vented cabinet install, a lot of the issues would be solved. Mine only acts up when it gets hot. My furnace vent blows on the unit and after using it most of the day it'll freeze up or the sound won’t match the video during DVD playing. Once it cools down, it's fine. I'm planning to add vents to my cabinet to allow heat to get out. I'll put a vent low and one high for a natural chimney effect like a RV fridge.

Earl

by scottz on 12/3/2010, 3:09 pm

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum. We appreciate your willingness to help out.

I have a ZX500 unit in my 2007 Wildcat. It has been replaced by FR three times, each for different reasons. One would not work with the remote, one would not play a DVD, and I can't recall the third. My current one works most of the time, but frequently it will not read a DVD; has to be removed and reinserted several times before it will read.

I actually bought two used units just because I fear it will die again; I can't keep expecting FR to warranty it.

In any case; not complaining now, just giving you a little history. Many of us have had multiple problems.

Thanks again for taking part in the forum.

by Battchief1 on 12/24/2010, 2:38 pm

I have a ZX600 in my 31QBH it too has been replaced 3 times. First time for sound quality and the remote not working. The other two for the dvd/cd player malfunctioning, freezing up after about a minute of play. Now gues what this unit too is freezing up after being in less than one year. I think this time I am going to replace with a different brand.

by TC on 12/24/2010, 4:54 pm

Welcome Bob,

Here's my 2 cents worth. I had my Concertone replaced 4 times in the first 2 years. I finally gave up and use it as I can just the way it is. I've been working hard trying to bypass it altogether in regards to the surround sound. If I can do that, I won't even turn the darn thing on any more! On top of failed units, now I'm having speakers go out early in the spring after the campers has been wintered over for a few months.

My personal opinion of Concertones in general is that they can't take the road wear that in-dash stereos are made to withstand. The idea is good, but something has to be the root cause for so many failures and replacements. I think that root cause is, they can't take bumps and chuck holes. Have you considered beefing up the units to make them more road-worthy?

TC

by Bob Fields on 12/27/2010, 4:43 am

Hello All,

I hope you all had a great Christmas and I wish you all a great New Year!

I just returned from Massachusetts where we were visiting with our kids, family and friends. Our second trip since moving to Elkhart, IN at the beginning of November for our work with Concertone. That said, sorry I have been lax in getting back here.

I appreciate all the comments whether they are good or bad. I have found that most of the bad has been said before and that once we engage some of the good comes out - I like that part! :-)

I also understand more than a few of you have not had an outstanding experience with your Concertone products and for that I am sorry! We have taken and are taking steps to improve our customer experience. This includes the hiring of me to create and manage processes we never had (or needed).

Now, on to individual responses...

by Bob Fields on 12/27/2010, 4:46 am

MountainMan wrote:

We love the features of our concertone in our camper. Our only problem in a years worth of use is it seems to struggle with the "layer change" of some DVD's and will freeze up. This may happen on 1 out of 5 DVD's we play. I hope the problem does not get worse with age but now I know who to come to if it does. Wink

[/quote]

Can you explain this a bit further, I am sorry I don't understand...

by Bob Fields on 12/27/2010, 4:47 am

MountainMan wrote:

We love the features of our concertone in our camper. Our only problem in a years worth of use is it seems to struggle with the "layer change" of some DVD's and will freeze up. This may happen on 1 out of 5 DVD's we play. I hope the problem does not get worse with age but now I know who to come to if it does. Wink

[/quote]

Can you explain this a bit further, I am sorry I don't understand...

by Bob Fields on 12/27/2010, 4:56 am

Mopar_Earl wrote:

I have a Concertone ZX600 and I love it! I just wish the Concertones were brought up to modern video outputs. Still using composite should be a crime!!!!!! Why no HDMI output???? At the least component output, but that’s already outdated. I checked out the latest ZX690 ever hopeful for a better video output and still only composite. If the ZX690 had a better video output I'd upgrade in a heartbeat!

I think if you added a small fan to the housing and call for a vented cabinet install, a lot of the issues would be solved. Mine only acts up when it gets hot. My furnace vent blows on the unit and after using it most of the day it'll freeze up or the sound won’t match the video during DVD playing. Once it cools down, it's fine. I'm planning to add vents to my cabinet to allow heat to get out. I'll put a vent low and one high for a natural chimney effect like a RV fridge.

Earl[/color][/quote]

I am glad to hear you "love" your ZX600 - this is the experience we wish everyone has!

You will be pleased to hear that we have indeed added HDMI Outputs and Optical Inputs to the newest units to debut the first quarter of 2011. We also have created an "Opti Box" if anyone needs ti connect an Audio Optical Cable to you entertainment system. These are just a couple of updates, we have two more exciting features to announce soon that you are going to love!

As yo have noted, heat is an enemy and the installation is critical to operational success. Your unit has digital amplifiers so it really should not need a fan, BUT because of its surroundings it sounds like your mods were necessary. :-(

We have plans for a Concertone Customer Loyalty program that will mirror our new repair/service program that allow you to upgrade to the latests units cost effectively. Stay tuned...

by Bob Fields on 12/27/2010, 5:00 am

scottz wrote:Hi Bob, welcome to the forum. We appreciate your willingness to help out.

I have a ZX500 unit in my 2007 Wildcat. It has been replaced by FR three times, each for different reasons. One would not work with the remote, one would not play a DVD, and I can't recall the third. My current one works most of the time, but frequently it will not read a DVD; has to be removed and reinserted several times before it will read.

I actually bought two used units just because I fear it will die again; I can't keep expecting FR to warranty it.

In any case; not complaining now, just giving you a little history. Many of us have had multiple problems.

Thanks again for taking part in the forum.

Thanks for the comments - I am sorry you have had this experience and that you are "prepared" in case of failure by having a couple of spare units. If you ever want to trade in one of the spares for a new ZX690 with warranty as part of our new service program please let me know.

Wildcat Owners from around the world. 5th wheels and TT's. A place to share your Thoughts, Mod's and Idea's.

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