Thursday, 22 March 2012

How do I know if I have a digital TV?


An easy way to tell if you are watching digital TV, is whether you can receive ABC2, ABC3 or GO. These are all standard definition digital channels, so if you can view them (and you don’t have subscription TV like Foxtel), it means your TV is capable of receiving digital TV.

If you’re lucky enough to already have a digital TV, there’s one more question you should ask: How good is my reception?

Your existing television antenna may be able to receive digital TV without any problem. However our experience tells us that most people have antennas that are old, broken or are simply not suitable for getting quality Digital TV reception.

We all remember the fuzzy images our analogue TV gets when reception gets bad. However with digital, the signal is often all or nothing. It’s either perfect or it’s pixelated (that’s means little coloured squares on your screen) or there’s no signal at all.

If you get the occasional pixilation and no signal message that probably means your antenna either isn’t positioned correctly or it needs replacing. If it’s been quite a few years since your antenna was installed and you’re experiencing these problems we would suggest it’s time to take advantage of one of our specials and get a digital TV antenna installation.

We're Melbourne's Digital TV antenna specialists. We can assist with the best antenna selection and make sure you have the right aerial positioning, orientation, cabling and related equipment.

So if you need an aerial installation give us a call for a quick and easy quote to get your picture perfect.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Get the Most Out of Your Digital Antenna Installation

Antenna Installation for your digital TV may seem "old school" to some, however, a growing number of customers who know better are finding this to be necessary in getting the best experience from their digital TVs.

The slow but sure switch to digital TV broadcasting has eliminated most annoying picture distortions what we consider as snow or ghosting. This technology allows the TV reception to have the best quality, and if the highest quality isn't achieve, it will not display anything at all. With digital TV signals you will see either a crisp, ghost-free picture or no picture at all.

Since a lot of local and syndicated programming has not yet been crossed over to high-definition, it is typical for local stations to broadcast their digital signals in standard-definition during the day, then switch to full widescreen HDTV during primetime.

Below are some of the basic but crucial guidelines you should know when you are considering digital antenna installation:

Outdoor Antennas

Consider Using Outdoor Antennas

Indoor digital antennas are small antennas designed to be placed on top of or near your TV. Outdoor digital antennas on the other hand tend to be significantly larger and are intended for roof- or attic-mounting. Generally science would tell us that the larger an antenna's surface area is, the stronger the signal it will provide. The relative strength of the signal an outdoor antenna is much more effective than an indoor one. Indoor antennas would usually just enhance the functionality of your digital TV, but outdoor antennas will usually make a difference in quality.

Almost all outdoor antennas will perform better than even the best indoor antennas. Indoor antennas will usually be adversely affected by the walls of a house and even by movement of people in the room. Other household appliances such as fluorescent lights, computers and cordless phones will also pose as interference for an indoor antenna to be used to its fullest potential. Safety and ergonomics is another possible concern for indoor antennas.

Outdoor antenna installation although obviously would take more time than simply plugging in your indoor antenna, provides you with a sure and safe way to receive the best signal for your TV.

Consider Using Amplified Antennas

The best way to maximise your antenna installation is to make the most out of the signal your antenna is gathering. A good way to help antennas overcome size or height disadvantages is through the use of electronic amplification. Electronic amplification would also enhance the signal to your television. Most amplifiers can be built in, or it can be a separate device that installs in-line between the antenna and TV. Having an amplifier to supplement your antenna installation ensures that you have the top technology to receive the best signal for your digital TV.

These are just basic information that you should know regarding antenna installation. These however provide the necessary steps in helping you decide on crucial procedures to complete your digital viewing experience.