Are You Really Experiencing 'Modern' Television?

On 10th December 2013, the landmark date arrived where the entire country switched over to digital-only television transmissions, some homes were still left with poor reception which needed to switch over as well. Once the switch is made, the benefit of extra channels comes in. If you're still in need of the switch-over, better make it soon and experience fantastic television.

A digital-ready television or a a set-top box allowing you to view and record channels may work well, but you still need to keep an eye on your existing antenna. If the signal is weak, then there’s no point in watching bad TV, it’s time to change. Proper Digital antenna installation can change a lot of things, the experience that you have watching TV can improve dramatically and become as life-like as the environment around you. It’s always best to keep up with technology for a number of reasons and the reasons you should focus on getting stunning quality television are countless.

A quality roof antenna can last for 10 years or more but for that to happen, correct installation is essential. Proper care for your antenna is important and safety measures should be adopted whenever you’re on the roof inspecting the equipment. Even when you’re extra cautious, bad things can happen to your antenna and you might need to replace it, best to call in an expert on it.

From analogue to digital, HD to 3D and 4K, TV has gone far in the last decade with an increasing number of options available when it comes to choosing a television set. Also, since prices have dropped as well, it’s not that expensive to get the equipment set and all ready to smash the living room.  Also, as sound systems continue to dazzle, people are trying out latest speakers with their TVs to see which one suits best. Audio technology has reached a full dynamic 7.1 for home theatres which means that surround sound won’t make you feel like you’re watching something on screen but rather you’re in it, then and there.  

Television isn’t the same like it was before, that’s obvious. The question is, how much of the change are of it are you experiencing? Leaving out a few annoying commercials which we don’t need, it’s a great past time with the range of channels available for watching. Educational, drama, action, adventure and more just available at home. It’s simply brilliant. 

Image Source:  kinja-img, asset-cache

How a TV Antenna Works

Although many people have a digital TV antenna at home, a lot of us have no idea how it works. This article discusses the how a digital TV antenna works in simple, basic terms.
 

In order to understand how a digital antenna works, it's important that you understand how a television transmission signal works. A television station transmits its signal containing its programming in a straight line. This line is called the 'line of sight'. Because the earth is not flat, televisions aren't usually able to pick up that signal. A digital antenna helps the television to pick that signal up as long as it falls within the range of the source.

Unlike a digital cable which sends television programming directly to your home, local TV stations will send out a broadcast allowing any digital TV antenna within the range to pick that up. Usually, 80% of all households are able to pick up at least five digital stations free of charge. The television signal is then converted into audio and video information which is displayed later on.
 

Signals and Reception

HD signals are sent primarily along the ultra-high frequency or UHF band. The range within which the antenna can pick up the signal is usually 60 to 75 miles. If, however, an obstacle is present such as a tree or a building, a signal bounce known as a 'multipath' can occur, which may cause the signal to arrive at your antenna multiple times, causing cancellation. Correctly installing your HD antennas to receive all channels broadcasted by local antennas is a must, so make sure you get proper installation or repair done to fix your TV reception problems.

Types

HD antenna types include the common mast-mounted, aluminium array antennas seen on numerous roof tops. Modern HD TV antennas are made to receive UHF signals primarily, compared to the more dated models, which received very high frequency or VHF signals only. There were other types which included powered "V"-shaped units for equipment rack or table-top mounting. The last one requires an AC outlet to work properly. Outdoor designs have an aesthetically pleasing square-shaped antenna that mounts similarly to satellite dishes.

Quality

Over-the-air broadcasts, which are received by the antenna, are actually of a higher picture quality compared to a satellite television or cable. Most people think the opposite is true, reasoning their belief on the notion that since the signals are sent over the air, the quality deteriorates as the signals reach the antenna. When a television station broadcasts over-the-air, the information is sent completely uncompressed which results in a better looking and sounding picture than a high quality cable box.

Image Source: modernhome.us, wineguard, istumbledon

Top 5 entertaining TV shows of 2014

It's time to catch up on 2014‘s TV highlights so far. The year is actually almost at an end. That calls for a review to jot down some of the best shows produced, entertaining viewers all over the world. Follow through our 5 entertaining picks of Digital TV.

House of Cards
 

House of cards came back with a fantastic second season where Kevin Spacey shows off his over-the-top arrogance and edgy intellect once more. This American political drama television series premiered on February 2014. The series is undeniably captivating and really exposes our mixed feelings about Frank Underwood and his manipulative political tactics.

Game of Thrones
 

How can this possibly be avoided? A spectacular adaptation from George R.R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, the first of which is titled, 'A Game of Thrones'. This series has attracted record numbers of viewers on HBO, although several aspects of it has received criticism which includes frequent use of violence. Till now, four seasons have been released and they've all managed to draw in viewers of a large number. Start watching if you haven't and you surely won't be disappointed.

Silicon Valley
 

This has certainly made it big as candy for the tech guys. Silicon Valley is an American television sitcom centred on six men that start a company. It took off on April 6 and has turned heads since for its brand of geeky brand of comedy. Receiving widely positive reviews since its premiere, Metacritic has scored it an 84 on 100 taking its basis on the views of 36 critics including TV Guide, USA Today and Time. Silicon Valley has proved itself worthy and looks like we could get a few more seasons out of this fan favourite.

The X Factor (Australia)
 

Everybody knows about the X Factor; the producers have not been shy about marketing and advertising it. One of the most popular reality TV programs this year, X Factor isn’t necessarily high-end entertainment, but it keeps fans watching and isn’t a lot of work like some of the other drams on this list. Although it hasn't received a high user rating, it's very popular and has served as fabulous entertainment so far.

Community
 

With an IMDb rating of 8.6, this has brought in humour, drama and suspense all together in its remarkably entertaining set-up. IT premiered on NBC on September 17 2009. The series follows a group of students at a community college in the fictional locale of Greendale, Colorado.

Our list of favourites are far from complete. As new seasons come up often, the excitement shifts from one show to another making pauses in older seasons. Looking back now, it seems like the ever-evolving industry, viewer demands and the installation of digital TV antennas in most homes, have brought in a complete make-over in the world of entertainment for viewers.

Image Source:  gottawatchit, onepopz, s3.amazonaws, wp

THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIA ON PEOPLE’S BEHAVIOUR

The influence of television and media is something that is ever increasing, as people are exposed to more and more choices of programs and films than ever before.

People spend hours watching television yet the effects that this has on our personality is something that is often forgotten. Television can inspire us, motive us, cause us laugh or even make re-examine the way we look at things.

We all know that kids try to imitate their favourite comic characters and superheroes. Obviously young people are very impressionable. What you might not realise is that the same thing can happen adults too, usually on a sub conscious level; this is ultimately why advertising and product placement works!

There are 3 different ways your perception/behaviour might be affected:

Daily Interaction

The kinds of interactions characters have on television have changed over time. The humour, the conversations and the relationships have an influence on us. For example, spending a lot of time watching dark horror films and programs can arguably shape our attitudes towards violence. Uplifting comedies often have the effect of improving our moods and our sense of humour.

Imagination

The discovery channel and other educational programs obviously provide us with knowledge, but studies show that some movies, series, sitcoms and even advertisements can have the effect of increasing creativity and the imagination of some people. Series like Sherlock; which is a crime drama that presents a contemporary adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and many others, have encouraged people to use their intelligence and creativity in finding solutions to day-to-day problems. Others are motivated by the stories presented in such programs and look to create their own.
 
Consumer behaviour

It’s no secret that great commercials have an effect on sales. Years ago, less was expected of ads and commercials, they could be successful by simply being in the public eye. But now there is great competition and thousands of similar companies prying for the market advantage, so advertising needs to be memorable and different in order to stand out and bring in customers. Somehow, these 'great' advertisements influence people's ideas and perceptions on products and services as well as lifestyles. 

It seems that television plays a big part in shaping the way we think, act and ultimately lead our lives. The benefits are tremendous as well.  Australia’s move to switch off the analogue signal has encourage people to invest in digital tv antennas, which has brought with it more channels an improved television viewing experience in general. Also, for the ones who’re still using analogue antennas, it’s time to switch to experience and understand what modern day television has to offer.

Image source: bp.blogspot, emsincorporated, 1stwebdesginer

Is TV Really All That Bad for Kids?

We've all heard more than once that watching television comes with more drawbacks than perks. While researchers have searched for and probably found what might be considered evidence to support this, the idea that there could also be considerable benefits has all but been forgotten.

The consensus view is adopted by many families and indeed, it is wise to discourage children from watching the tube excessively, but there are certainly developmental and educational advantages that come from watching television as a young age.

Educational programs and channels such as Discovery, History Channel, Nat Geo, Animal planet may be overlooked when the discussion comes up about the advantages of television in kids. Many parents will rightly pull their kids away after hours of cartoons or when some inappropriate content is shown and encourage them to watch something that provides educational benefit. The educational channels might not always be as thrilling but they certainly present information in a lucrative, informative and above all, in quite an enjoyable manner. It should come as no surprise that recent statistics show that children who regularly watch educational programs and channels scored better on IQ tests than their peers.

The option of locking channels has been around for a while now, and this should be utilised if parents deem it appropriate so that shouldn't be a problem if parents want to block a few particular channels at certain times.
Long hours of TV watching however may be harmful for not only children, but for everyone. As well as being harmful to the body given the low level of activity, it can be harmful for the brain also. It seems that in the case of children, TV has a heightened effect; if managed properly, watching TV can be healthy and contribute greatly to development. If not, it can become addictive and lead to unhealthy habits. The fact is however, studies that speak to the harm that television can cause to children are usually based on the assumption that they are watching upwards of 4-5 hours per day, which may be considered excessive. If TV watching is kept at a reasonable level, likely there are far fewer negative effects.  

And what about the effects on children’s eyes? Studies show that where you place your TV plays a big role in how much your eye-sight is affected. Young children and even the ones in their early teens have vulnerable eyes. Wall mounting your TV the right way can actually assist in this.

So avoiding long hours, moderate monitoring of channels being viewed and the tele-to-eye distance make up for sufficient factors to be kept in check in order for healthy watching for kids.

Parents should be weary that often what we hear about the harms of TV watching can be misleading. When moderated, TV and home entertainment can be a great way to strengthen bonds between family members and have fun together.



Image Source: telegraph, data resource

The Importance of Taking Care of Your TV Antenna

The TV antenna is the primary piece of equipment that has the job of making sure you have good quality television reception. For the best result, an antenna is placed high on the roof of the house, which unfortunately exposes it to various hazards that can potentially damage it. Another option is using an indoor aerial, often called ‘bunny ears’ – however they rarely achieve perfect quality reception especially in the HD digital era. 

A quality digital roof antenna can last 10 years or more, but it needs to be installed correctly and in the optimal position for the best reception. A full replacement of an antenna can be quite costly, so it is important to take great care of your TV antenna and ensure it is repaired when needed. 

Over the years of service and being exposed to the elements all day every day, a TV antenna will gradually decline and this obviously has a negative effect on the reception. Bad weather can play a big part in this. Generally, antennas are installed with a lightning arrestor to protect from thunder or any charged particles. Ideally, home owners will need to inspect that light arrestor from time to time as it can easily become loose or even broken. An antenna is galvanised by default, which is why no insulation is needed. However, as time passes the galvanised coating fades away, which can leads to poorer reception. Noticing this and acting accordingly can help improve the lifespan of the unit significantly. It’s certainly worth inspecting your TV antenna system periodically and ensuring it is kept in good health. If you find that it is damaged or not performing as expected, a specialist can repair it for you.

Of course, proper safety measures should be taken whenever you’re up on the roof inspecting the equipment. Checking up on your antennas is important, but no one should be doing so without taking proper precautions or if they are not in good condition to do so. Rod Hull, a British entertainer from years ago, is one of many that have fallen off their roofs and suffered injuries. In this case, Hull was fixing his antenna to watch a soccer match and his fall proved fatal. If you are doing so please be careful!  

The best way to keep your antenna in the best condition is to check up on it from time to time. You don’t have to be an expert to do that, but if you’re not up to the job or feel as if it is time for a repair, call the experts. On the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas, Local Bloke Antenna Services are here to help you out with leading antenna installation services. So call us for any and all of your needs.

Image Source: telcoantennas, acma, airtechnologyaustralia

The Revolution in Home Theatre Entertainment

For many years the expansion of entertainment in the home has been influenced by the big cinema screen. Today it is possible to enjoy a full cinema experience in the home thanks to the latest technology making it possible. The initial costs of high quality television screens, surround sound audio systems and advances in video games has become affordable for anyone to create their very own perfect home theatre setup.

The revolution in television sets has come a long way since the early years. Now it is possible to watch high definition television with crystal clear images, free from ghosting and interference, giving you the full immersive experience. CRTVs had their time in the history of television technology and have now made way for television sets that employ Plasma, LCD, LED, and OLED screens that improve on image quality and power consumption.

LED, OLED, 3D and 4K

The move to high definition television has been around for the past ten years and improvements on this technology have made true 3D television now possible. For a truly immersive experience, why not choose a 3D HDTV screen to compliment your home theatre setup and give your family the ultimate in cinematic viewing.

The latest technology in television to come to the market has been with 4K television and curved screens. 4KTV employs a marked improvement on the resolution of your television set, increasing the number of pixels on ther same size screen which creates a truly life-like image. The new curved screen sets allow the screen to be bent and curved to give you a higher level of immersive viewing.

Surround sound with heritage

As with any good home cinema setup, audio plays a key role in giving you that added dimension to your viewing. Advancement in technology in recent years means that now you can pick up a decent 5.1 surround sound system for cheaper than ever. Improvements in audio technology in the home now mean that you can get a full 7.1 dynamic home theatre surround sound system that incorporates Dolby digital audio, as well as being able to find cinematic audio quality with the likes of THX certified systems.

Gaming plays a big role in your home theatre setup these days thanks to the cinematic quality and advanced graphics of high end gaming systems. Consoles like the brand new Xbox One and the PS4 offer a truly immersive experience that is as close to an interactive movie as you can get. These console systems also employ Blu-Ray drives so you can enjoy all of your existing high definition movies at any time.

Interactivity, on-demand and the web

Many modern home theatre setups now include some form of internet access to provide a little interactivity to your home cinema system. the internet has quickly become one of the most popular mediums for entertainment viewing over the past couple of years. sites like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon, as well as iTunes and Google Play now offer streaming movies, music and gaming apps direct to devices such as game consoles and televisions.

This new way of experiencing your entertainment has proved popular due to its on-demand features, interactivity, programming guides and recording. Even newer technology such as Chrome Key by Google make it possible to simply insert a HDMI dongle into your television set to enjoy the best entertainment the internet has to offer.

Once you have built the home theatre system of your dreams, the last thing you need to do is find a suitable position for all of your devices. Good positioning of your television screen will allow all of the family to enjoy the best seat in the house, as well as experience the surround sound from your setup. With the additional purchase of remote control lighting, a popcorn machine and a row of comfy chairs you too can enjoy your very own home cinema all to yourself.

Image source: ubergizmo, pricegrabber, tvrepairsmelbourne, thetvman