Concertone surround sound...

First topic message reminder :

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

Carpe Diem wrote:

Portagie1968 wrote:Number 3 is starting to die on me. My try 4. Do not know.

Don't do it.....just put the concertone down and walk away.....

Unfortunately the entertainment cab was redesigned for a 30RLBS. The 29 is on the lower left and the 30 is in the upper right. Filling that hole and finding anther place may not be easy. Plus the wiring. How hard is it to wire a Jensen into the trailers wiring system? Life is fun.

TC wrote: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

TC dumb question. Did you try Input 2 just for poops and giggles. Plus my plate on the wall has a switch. I hooked TV directly to number 2 on the back of my Concertone.

here's what you should do to eliminate the concertone....

buy a DVD head unit that has at least 3 RCA preouts preferably 5.1 capable

buy a 6 channel amp to handle the front, center, rear speakers and sub woofer. Make sure you check the ratings of the cheap speakers because they probably only handle 40-60W max.

buy another 2 channel amp for the bedroom speakers

buy yet another 2 channel amp for the outside speakers

Wire three toggle switches to act as your A, B and C zones to the remote of each amp (to turn amp off or on independently)

After you spend over $1000-1500, the system will last, but you'll have to find somewhere to mount the amps and keep them cool.

Now consider the Concertone.....it does this in a tight package and suffers from a heat problem and bad buttons.

I don't know what the Jensen system offers, but Jensen was never a high-end brand from my previous experience in the car audio world. The Jensen VM9412 outputs in true 5.1 audio, but you'd have to split the RCA line level outputs for the outside and bedroom speakers. I'm sure you could find a Pioneer, Kenwood or the like that does trick.

Know a lot more than me about them dang things.

Portagie, that sounded like George Carlin....

TC, Thats what I do.

I use my Xbox to play CD's or DVD's or Games. I have the A/V running though the concertone. I use the local cable when avail through the concertone and the radio. Haven't had a problem with it yet. I'm thinking the Disk player gets so hot it just turns things into mush on the circuit board. Theres no venting to the box that I can see and theres no fan. The xbox has a cooling fan like a regular computer. I'm thinking a cooling fan to the circuit board would solve a lot of concertone's problems, a two dollar fix on the production line would save a lot a headache.

I installed a vent in the side wall to let air circulate around ours.

Dan, to answer your question, yes I did try #2...didn't work, but wasn't expecting it to either. Had to try though, if for no other reason than to say I covered my bases.

TC

I think they need a Fan blowing inside the concertone. The excessive heat from the disk player is got to be whats causing so many failures.
When I first got our camper and tried a DVD in the concertone I could feel it getting over heated. Never put another one in there and my old concertones been working fine for just using the surround and radio and cable connections.

TC - Had to ask about the switch I and the hook up. Been there done T-Shirt I do wear.

Actually a fan inside the radio would do little to help if the mounting space is not vented. Also there are different model Concertone radios so it would be way more helpful if we were able to talk about individual models for specifi solutions.

For instance, there IS a fan inside the ZX75, but not the ZX690/700. However the new replacement for the ZX75 will not have a fan because it is going to a horizontal loader (no door) and the new chassis size will accomodate an appropriate heat sink.

Bob my ZX75 is mounted in front of tv which leaves about 4-6" to clear tv will the new chassis size clear TV when lowering/raising?

The new chassis size (not being shipped yet) will be the same mounting BUT the depth with be 5".

OK good to know Thanks

Would a fan in the cab for a 600 be a good idea.

Portagie1968 wrote:Would a fan in the cab for a 600 be a good idea.

If it is small and getting hot it certainly wouldd not hurt. I have heard of more than a few folks ventilating the space where the radio is installed (including adding a fan as they thought necessary).

Thank you. Since FR put my 12 volt TV plug with switch in the wrong place I have 12 volts avail. Fan and vent are next. Try to save what is left of the Radio.

Hi- We have a 2008 Wildcat 32QBBS with Concertone ZX600. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to connect my ipod?

AllenandLori wrote:Hi- We have a 2008 Wildcat 32QBBS with Concertone ZX600. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to connect my ipod?

You would need to use the headphone output of the iPod with a mini stereo to RCA adapter. Then you could plug the RCA connectors into the input wall plate or directly into the back of the ZX600.

Bob Fields wrote:

AllenandLori wrote:Hi- We have a 2008 Wildcat 32QBBS with Concertone ZX600. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to connect my ipod?

You would need to use the headphone output of the iPod with a mini stereo to RCA adapter. Then you could plug the RCA connectors into the input wall plate or directly into the back of the ZX600.

Is there anyway to charge it at the same time?

wildcat427 wrote:
Is there anyway to charge it at the same time?

Not on the 600. The newer models have USB ports that can charge it, but on the older units you would need to plug in your iPod charger.

Bob Fields wrote:

wildcat427 wrote:
Is there anyway to charge it at the same time?

Not on the 600. The newer models have USB ports that can charge it, but on the older units you would need to plug in your iPod charger.

I have a newer model that has a USB port but the USB port says it doesn't support Ipods. I guess what I'm asking is there anyway to listen to the Ipod and charge it at the same time?

So you still dont say what model you have. If you have a ZX700/690, you could use the USB to CHARGE and the mini stereo to mini stereo to the from panel Aux in called AU1.

Bob,
How do I go about getting a replacement trim bezel for the Genesis-3.0? Forest river replace my concertone with this and there was an wiring issue that I had to fix. When I pulled the trim off a few of the plastic catches broke off.
Btw, the Genesis rocks and todate no issues with it.

Thanks,
Earl

I am glad to hear you like it!

We are getting some in shortly - I will let you know the details when I do...

Bob Fields wrote:So you still dont say what model you have. If you have a ZX700/690, you could use the USB to CHARGE and the mini stereo to mini stereo to the from panel Aux in called AU1.

I have a ZX75.

The ZX75 will work as the ZX700 described above.

You can use the USB port for CHARGING only.
You can use the mini stereo input on the front panel of the ZX75 from you headphone jack on the the iPod (or MP3 Player, or Blackberry, etc.). You will need a mini stereo to mini stereo cable to do this.

Thanks Bob!!

cpaulsen wrote:Anybody have a Magnadyne Linear stereo/dvd/am/fm player in their cat??Mine is an 09 29rlbs and can't seem to get surround sound out of it. It looks like it was maybe original equipment because of the square bit white screws holding it it the cutout.( but I do not know for sure)

I'd be surprised if your Magnadyne was OEM, unless of course, its another version of the Concertone renamed. Up until a year or so ago, I believe ALL Cats came with the Concertone installed.

This might also explain why no surround sound; might not be compatible with the original stuff.

TC