4 Common Digital TV Reception Problems: Cause and Solution

Digital television has improved our home television viewing experience considerably. It grants us access to many more channels and now we can enjoy programs in high definition (HD) with superior sound quality. Fact is, you are less likely to experience TV reception problems if your system has been properly installed. The days of having to put up with the black and white static is a thing of the past!

Unfortunately, from time to time you can come across some issues that can be the result of many different conditions. Back in the days of analogue TV, when the signal was bad we’d get that fuzzy image over the picture. Nowadays, the image becomes distorted and freezes every few seconds, making it very tricky to watch anything for an extended period of time without pulling your hair out.

Let’s take a look at why you might be experiencing this:

1. Your Location

Naturally, the further away you are from a TV tower the less room for error and the more likely you are to have problems from time to time. Also, if you happen to live in a valley or have buildings or large objects around your home, you might have to put up with an unsteady signal.

Your antenna needs to be installed in a place that gives you the best chance of getting the signal - usually facing the TV tower. No matter your location, a professional should be able to get you a top quality signal with the tools at their disposal including boosters, amplifiers and signal checkers.

2. Weather Conditions

You should allow for the fact that interference caused by atmospheric conditions have been known to have an effect. High winds and storms can knock electromagnetic waves around and cause inconsistencies to the picture on your digital TV. So give yourself the benefit of the doubt if you’re having problems on a day with rough weather.

3. Cabling Issues

One of the first things you should do (and probably will without even thinking twice) is to check the cables and connections from your antenna to your TV or set-top box (if you are still using one).

The cause of the issue can be something as simple as faulty wiring or a cable/aerial that isn’t making contact properly. Maybe it just needs to be dusted off and plugged in again. Disconnecting and reconnecting amplifiers can also help as these can be overloaded over time.

4. Outdated Equipment

A top quality antenna that is well cared for and maintained can last 20 years or so - in some cases even more. But like all electrical equipment, wear and tear being exposed to the elements day in day out eventually takes its toll. Also, because digital signals use different and new frequencies, very old antennas may not have the capability to pick these up. 

If you’ve had your antenna for decades and feel that this is the issue, it’s worth giving a professional a call and getting an opinion. You might find that the antenna has a few more years left in it after all!

No matter the issue, if you’re a bit out of your depth when it comes to fiddling around with technical equipment or you need help, contact a TV reception solution specialist in the Sunshine Coast today.

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What to Expect From Your Digital Antenna Installation

If you have finally got around to a new digital antenna installed then you are about to look forward to a new age of television. Your digital antenna will give you access to multiple channels, catch-up channels, interactive content and even recording and replay facilities that will change the way you watch television forever.

Television antennas come in various types and sizes, depending on their use and how good the signal quality is in your area. Choosing the right antenna could be made simpler than it currently is, but if you are in any doubt about which antenna is right for you, call in a professional who will be able to help you with a digital antenna installation.

Yagi, Wide-band or Indoor?

The standard antenna used for many years is the Yagi antenna, and one that you will still see on most rooftops. This type of antenna is manufactured to be pointed at the direction of the broadcasting antenna for your local area. Whist older television antennas that were used for analogue television may still work fine with digital television, the cabling, routing and quality of the reception all play an important factor.

Wide band antennas are made for picking up weak signals, and are also used in places where multiple broadcast antennas are feeding a single city. Or where the broadcast antennas used across a wide area interfere with each other. This type of antenna will solve most problems associated with poor signal and signal dropping.

If you live in an area that has good signal strength and you are able to get strong signal quality in your home, an indoor antenna may be all that is needed to pick up digital signals. These smaller indoor antennas are perfect for second television sets placed around the home or for use in sheds or outdoor buildings where no rooftop antenna is placed.

Time To Upgrade Or Replace Your Antenna?

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If your antenna is more than 15 or 20 years old, and you are having trouble picking up certain channels or radio stations via your existing antenna, an upgrade may be necessary to resolve these issues. Upgrading is easy and usually involves a simple replacement of the antenna itself, along with some cabling if damaged.

For the best aerial installation, you will need to use a sturdy base to secure you antenna to, so if you have an existing base on your rooftop, check for any damage and replace where necessary. Use high quality copper-core coaxial cable from the antenna to your TV points in your home, and if you have multiple outlets, ensure that you have a modern distribution box that is placed near to the antenna and use a signal boosting system to ensure the signal strength carries the full length of the cables.

Cable Routing and TV Point Placement

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Routing your coaxial is a simple process of replacing your old cable, and upgrading where you want to install new TV points. Use cable tacks to securely tie the cable to the outside of your property either near the guttering of your home or near the bottom of your walls. Ensure that the cabling is not touching the floor or the guttering itself. Route the cabling to a window and drill a hole through the window frame for easier access and then route to a TV point you will fix to the wall.

Ensure that with your antenna TV installation that you waterproof the holes you drill with adequate sealant and ensure that all points of your cabling route are waterproof, secure and trouble free.

Indoor or Outdoor Digital Antenna?

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Many people choose to place their aerial installation in their loft space for easier access and to leave the roof tidy, but that only works in strong signal areas where the signals can travel through a thick roof with ease. For outdoor TV antenna installation follow the process above, or if in any doubt, hire a professional digital antenna installation service.

By hiring a professional service you will have a professional assess your needs and any planned work you wish to have done. A cable routing plan and antenna type can be chosen before installation to provide you with all of the knowledge beforehand along with a layout of your cabling route, any signal boosting equipment and distribution boxes can be bought as extras if needed, giving you a premium service for a reasonable price.

Choosing the Best Blu-Ray Player Brand for Your Home Theatre Setup

When it comes to the latest technology in home theatre, getting the best display and the best home audio system experience is often down to the format in which you’re favourite films or music is played on. There are numerous different high-end formats that have come and gone in recent years, but the one winner is here to stay is Blu-Ray. Here are some tips for selecting the best Blu-Ray player for your requirements

Keep Your Budget In Mind!

Budget Blu-Ray players can be picked up for hardly anything these days, but like many other electronics, they pale in comparison to their more expensive counterparts in terms of quality of build, playback and overall features. By choosing one of the big brands in consumer electronics, you will be able to benefit from the wealth of technology that has gone into each unit, and benefit from the different software systems each brand uses.

The best Blu-Ray player brands in recent years have been Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Toshiba, so let’s take a look at some of their models to get an idea of what the best Blu-Ray player is for your money.

Sony Blu-Ray Players

Having been part of the original founders of the Blu-Ray consortium, Sony has often led the way in Blu-Ray technology. Having released a number of Blu-Ray drives to the public, the first real mass take-up of the format was thanks to the release of the Sony PlayStation 3, which included a Blu-Ray drive. Even enthusiasts still say that the Blu-Ray drive and functions contained within the PS3 are a fantastically cheap way to get into enjoying HD movies.

The PlayStation 4 is also a great Blu-Ray player, and includes all of the latest features and functions for added internet connectivity and interactivity during the playback of the movies. Output in 1080p with a multitude of settings for your television such as true blacks, 24fps playback, not to mention most powerful gaming console currently available - it certainly packs a punch!

Samsung Blu-Ray Players

Samsung has progressed in leaps and bounds as a technology company in recent years, known for its stunning mobile phones and television sets, they make some of the finest performing Blu-Ray players on the market. The Samsung BD-H6500 is one of the stand-out players on the market at the moment that is feature packed and ready for any home theatre installation.

Featuring 3D playback, UDH upscaling (for 4K televisions) Samsung’s online SmartHub portal, file streaming from your home network, screen mirroring and WIFI connection, the menu systems and onscreen presentation are fast, smooth and beautiful. With access to over 50 apps including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and internet radio, you’ll be awash with entertainment even if your Blu-Ray collection is running thin.

LG Blu-Ray Players

Like Samsung, LG have taken advantage of their designs for their televisions and mobile phones and have implemented them into their mid-priced Blu-Ray players that have proven popular with home theatre enthusiasts. The LG BP645 Blu-Ray player is another outstanding player that offers the best picture quality for your money in this price range.

Featuring 3D playback, DVD and CD playback, built-in WIFI, media streaming and screen mirroring, it includes many of the features of higher priced Blu-Ray players for those on a tighter budget. The design of the box itself is an improvement over recent devices, and stands out as a stylish, classic device that will look good underneath any television of any size.

Other Blu-Ray players of note the Panasonic DMP-BDT700 at the top-end of the average price range, and the Toshiba BDX2550 which is a truly affordable Blu-Ray player for your home theatre. Choose a player according to your budget, and don’t forget about an Ethernet or WIFI options to allow you to connect to online services to increase your entertainment at a lower price!

If you’re looking for someone to help you with your Blu-Ray player, give us a call today. We offer a full range of services for home theatre installation on the sunshine coast and can help you set up and integrate your new Blu-Ray player into your existing home theatre arrangement.