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.

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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.

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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.



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Simple solutions to TV Reception Problems

You’re at home watching your favourite soap opera, and things are heating up. You love the characters, and two of your favourite ones seem to be falling in love. You think that they might kiss during this episode. They share a romantic moment, and look into each other’s eyes. He reaches out to push her hair behind her ear and… The television’s out! Now you’ll never see them kiss. Bloody signal.

If this scenario sounds familiar, then you know that uninterrupted reception is important. Reception problems can make even your favourite program frustrating to watch. While using an antenna instead of a cable service is a great way to save money, reception problems can make you regret that decision. You can fix these problems by having your TV antenna professionally installed. While it may be tempting to try and fix it on your own, most individual homes don’t have the tools needed to even diagnose the problem. Calling a professional will give you access to the full suite of tools and techniques you need to fix your reception problem. You’ll never have to miss a crucial television moment again!

Diagnosing the Problem: Signal Detection

Professional antenna installers will figure out the source of your problem, and the best way to fix it. They’ll start by using a signal meter, a device that can cost up to thousands of dollars, to determine what signal strength you can receive and the best direction for your antenna. After the diagnosis, the antenna installers can help you decide what to do to fix your reception problems.

Possible Solutions

It may be that fixing your reception problem was as simple as changing the antenna’s position. In many cases, more drastic measures are needed.

Signal Boosting

Your antenna installer may recommend the installation of a signal booster or amplifier to fix your reception. This is a great time to have an antenna expert on hand, since they can recommend and install the best signal booster for your particular reception problem.

Antenna Replacement

Not all antennas are made equal. Some antennas provide better reception at low signal strength, while others work better with higher signal strength. Excellent antenna installers will have many types of antenna available, and can help advise you on which is best for your home.

Other Upgrades

Reception problems are a good opportunity to upgrade to HD service or go digital (if you haven’t already). Sunshine Coast is switching over to all digital broadcasting soon, so prepare now to make sure you aren’t left behind during the switch. Professional antenna installers can put in the new digital set top box for you while they are fixing your reception problems. Some installers can bring a top box for you, even one set up for HD service. Because they are antenna experts, professional installers can make sure everything is working properly for the best reception possible.

Finding a Professional Antenna Installer in Sunshine Coast

 

Look for installers with the “get ready for digital TV” logo on their site. This logo means that they are an officially endorsed antenna installer and can help you with your reception problems. Companies that provide installation are preferable to individuals: with a company you are more likely to find punctual, safe, and friendly service. To reduce costs, look for companies that can provide antennas, signal boosters/amplifiers, and help you with other services such as outlet cabling. Some companies will “beat any written quote” or offer pensioner discounts, ensuring a great price. When in doubt, it never hurts to call, and many companies will be happy to consult with you about fixing your reception problems