High Speed Satellite Internet Now Available at Solid Signal

Tired of your slow, obsolete dialup connection? Do you live outside the coverage area for Cable/DSL? Try HughesNet – high speed satellite internet available anywhere, and in several different speeds. HughesNet has packages for everyone, home use or even small businesses, ranging in speed from 1 to 5 mbps.

HughesNet is very popular for people who are forced to use dialup because they live in a rural area, or for those who live outside the coverage zones of traditional broadband - Cable or DSL. Switching to HughesNet allows you to surf the web while talking on the phone; since your connection will no longer tie up your phone line. You may even end up saving money by eliminating the need to pay for a second line.

HughesNet provides several other benefits such as email accounts, 24/7 live technical support, spam and virus filtering. HughesNet is compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

For more information contact one of our techs at 1-866-374-4625 ext. 2208 and they will answer any question you may have about HughesNet satellite broadband.

Digital Transition a Headache for Many

This column was going to be called, "Why I hate the Federal Communications Commission," but after talking with people familiar with the conversion of our over-the-air television signals from analog to digital, I'm now ready to say that I hate the FCC, Congress and all those wireless telephone companies greedy for more transmission capacity.

All are to blame for the poorly executed conversion now expected June 12. That's when anyone with an analog television will see their screen go blank unless they:

• Buy a new digital TV.
• Sign up for cable or satellite TV, which in some cases will need a converter box.
• Buy a digital converter box and hook it to their TV.

Experts try to make it seem simple but the conversion still faces challenges.

People receiving over-the-air signals on the periphery of broadcast areas may find that the converter boxes don't work well and instead deliver a garbled digital signal that looks like so much modern art — interesting but not useful.

The conversion program requires you to contact the FCC to request up to two $40 coupons to purchase converter boxes. Coupons ran out earlier this year, so the program was delayed while the supply was replenished. And those with coupons in hand who go on a search for the boxes may or may not find them in the right price range. Mine cost $60 each, which meant a total of $40 out of pocket. Depending on the store, the selection may be limited. Those on fixed incomes might not appreciate spending a single dime on a new box.

Inconvenience, confusion, technical difficulties and what some might view as an unvoted tax are on the list of why consumers are unhappy.

In theory the conversion is a good idea because digital delivers more channels and a sharper picture. The change also will provide more broadcast capacity for cell phone companies.

I got the coupons almost a year ago, bought two converter boxes for $60 each, hooked them up myself and voila … they didn't work. The digital signal is garbled and crunched. Buying a new TV may not make any difference since I live on the edge of the signal area. I've been told to wait until June 12. Some Portland stations will then move to better locations on the airwaves. If I rescan the signals after June 12 I should get a clear picture on some channels, I've been advised.

All I want is that my TV works like my toaster. Just give me 15 minutes of morning news and weather while I eat my Corn Flakes … no extra boxes, no hookups and no hassle.

Where to find help? SolidSignal.com provides free technical support, just call 1-866-374-4625 extension 2208.



Source: http://columbian.com/article/20090419/BIZ01/704199994

SolidSignal.com Launches Community Relations Program Help Seniors Stay Tuned to TV

April 21, 2009 – Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and similar institutions can obtain free digital TV converter boxes for residents by obtaining a government discount coupon and ordering through SolidSignal.com. The company will also provide free shipping and free support by telephone as part of their community relations program.

“The looming national transition from analog to digital television has caused a great deal of confusion and stress for many people, especially those in residential care facilities who are unclear, or still unaware, about how to acquire a converter box so they can continue to watch free local broadcasts,” said Jerry Chapman, CEO of SolidSignal.com.

An additional issue for consumers with regard to the digital transition is the expense. While the U.S. government is offering two $40 coupons per household to subsidize the purchase of the devices, the average retail price of a digital converter box is over $50 and the least expensive new model sells for about $46 so the consumer still has some cost to bear, the company says.
“During these challenging economic times, unplanned expenses can be a real setback, especially for seniors who live on fixed incomes,” said Chapman.

“It is because of this expense -- plus all the confusion about the transition -- that SolidSignal.com has decided to offer digital converter boxes and technical support to local nursing facility residents at no cost to them or the facility.”

To obtain the free converter boxes from Solid Signal.com, each facility must apply for the government coupons made specifically available to the general category of nursing homes.
The online application for the government coupon can be filled out at http://www.dtv2009.gov/.

Once the coupons are received, the facility director can call Solid Signal.com toll free at 1-866-374-4625 to place the order to receive the converter boxes that will receive digital TV signals after the transition.

The facility will receive one government coupon-eligible converter box for each coupon it redeems on behalf of a resident.

SolidSignal.com will ship all boxes free-of-charge to the facility for distribution to residents, and provide free technical assistance and installation support by phone.

SolidSignal.com is offering this program to residential care facilities nationwide through June 12, 2009, the digital broadcast transition date, while inventory is available.

To date SolidSignal.com has sold nearly 150,000 digital converter boxes.

More information about the government mandated transition to digital television broadcasting is available from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/.

SolidSignal.com says it “specializes in distributing the latest in high-tech equipment and product research to professional media installers and the tech-savvy consumer.” The online retailer says it offers thousands of products from some of the “most trusted and recognized brands” in the world. SolidSignal.com is an Internet Retailer 500 Company with revenues of $14.6 million in 2008. In 2007 and 2008 SolidSignal.com made the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.

For more information about SolidSignal.com, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.solidsignal.com.

Article From ltlmagazine.com

Solid Signal is Now Offering Free Converter Boxes to Assisted Living Facilities

The digital transition has proven difficult for many large organizations to acquire the necessary equipment to upgrade from analog to digital. SolidSignal.com is now offering a special promotion available to residential assisted living facilities, and other similar institutions, to help make the transition to digital.

SolidSignal will provide a coupon eligible converter box with free shipping in exchange for each government coupon provided by the institution. This promotion is designed to help seniors living on fixed incomes, and other such residents requiring an inexpensive solution, to keep their TV working after all broadcasts turn Digital on June 12th.

One other extremely convenient aspect of this promotion is the fact that SolidSignal will provide free technical support to go along with the free converter boxes. This promotion is designed to assist those who are unclear or unaware about what is now required to receive the digital broadcasts. SolidSignal’s technical support will be standing by to answer any questions, or to assist with any troubleshooting that may be required.

The first assisted living facility to take advantage of this offer is Golden Cross Health Care, a nursing home located in Pasadena California. Golden Cross Health Care was started in 1978 and continues to grow to this day. Now housing 96 beds, golden cross recieved 34 free digital converter boxes for their residents.

As one of the largest converter box retailers anywhere, SolidSignal hopes to help many more people in the future make the transition to the digital age.

How to Hook up a Digital Converter Box to an Old TV

Step 1: First you need to connect the TV antenna into the antenna in port on the digital converter box using the coax cable (screw on type with a single prong in the middle).

Step 2: Next, you will need to plug the cable from the TV output on the converter box into the back of your TV. You may use either the RCA cables (red white and yellow) or the coax cable (screw on type).

Step 3: If you used the 3-color RCA cable, you will need to set the TV to AV (also might be called input, TV/Video or device) channel. If you used the coax type cable, you will need to have the TV set to channel 3 or 4 depending on what the converter box is set to.

Step 4: Keep in mind; you will now be changing the channels and volume with the converter box remote and not the TV's remote. You will still have to use the TV remote for power.

Article from eHow.com

Now Available at SolidSignal.com - Ooma

Tired of paying phone bills? Do you have internet access? Would like to blacklist those pesky telemarketers so they’ll never be able to call you back? Do you want to be able to add extra phone numbers for your home office or family for free? How about the ability to add a second line whenver the need arises? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need Ooma.

Ooma is a device that replaces your existing land line and uses your internet connection for telephone service. Ooma provides many features that allow consumers to personalize their home phone system to meet their specific needs . There are beenfits for everyone, wether you work from home and need to add extra phone lines for your home business, manage a conference call with your clients, or for large families that need extra lines so their daughters can get all the latest gossip. Ooma allows you complete control over your phone system.

One of the most popular features for large families is the ability to set custom ring tones. Ooma can have different ringers set for different phone numbers, so you’ll know who the call is for before you answer. You can even transfer your old phone number for use with Ooma, once you disable your current land line.

Fed up with telemarketers relentlessly calling to bother you? With Ooma, you have the option of blocking anonymous calls completely, or sending them straight to voicemail. You can also take advantage of the Ooma community blacklist, allowing you to pre-empt those pesky telemarketers using the list of blocked numbers acquired by other Ooma users.

Save yourself money, and aggravation, by getting an Ooma – make your old land line obsolete.

Available at SolidSignal.com

Wi-Ex Announces Antenna-less zBoost-ONE Signal Booster

April 1st 2009 Wi-Ex Announced an addition to their award-winning line of cell phone boosters: the zBoost-ONE. This new cell phone booster is designed to allow consumers to easily receive an upgrade to their cell phone reception, without the hassle of installing an antenna and running cable.

Wi-Ex’s zBoost-ONE is similar to the consumer favorite YX500 and YX510, but features a base unit with both antennas enclosed, for easier use.

Just set it on your windowsill, plug it in, and the zBoost-ONE promises to enhance your signal within 1,200 feet. Here’s the catch: it has to be a PCS phone. That is to say, it needs to operate on the 1900-MHz spectrum.

The zBoost-ONE will be available at SolidSignal.com in the third quarter of 2009.

To learn more about this and other exceptional Wi-Ex cell phone products please call our customer service phone number at 1-866-374-4625 extension 2208 to speak with our free technical support.

Source: laptopmag.com

Solid Signal gets the message, a 104% sales increase for 2008

Solid Signal shoppers put the niche retailer of specialty electronics gear squarely on their radar screens in fiscal 2008. The web-only retailer reported $14.6 million in web sales for fiscal 2008, up by 104% from $ 7.15 million the year before.

Solid Signal has molded itself into the place to go for specialized audio and video equipment and advice, much like hardware stores of the recent past, Jerry Chapman, owner of the 7-year-old company, tells Internet Retailer. “We’re the experts,” he says. “Consumers can’t go to just any store to learn how to put up a 15-foot antenna. We can recommend techniques on the web or by phone and hold their hands while they do it. Our success—our secret sauce—is to give step-by-step instructions on the phone and on the web.”

SolidSignal.com’s products include TV antennas, satellite television and radio equipment, cable and wire, and installation tools, along with TVs, GPS devices and cell phone equipment. Consumers can get information from an online product and installation library with links to equipment manufacturers’ instructions and diagrams. Each product listing also features a tab linking shoppers to a form on which they can pose technical questions by e-mail. The company also understands that specialized shoppers need to return products often and so is positioned to receive as well as ship, Chapman says.

Customers range from technologically adept consumers to professional communications gear installers. The company isn’t a head-to-head competitor for big boxes like Best Buy Co. Inc. or hardware chains like Ace Hardware, but it’s serving some of those companies’ customers. “We’re pulling bricks-and-mortar shoppers onto the Internet,” Chapman says.

While Solid Signal might swipe some business from the bigger electronics players, 60% or more of what it sells, shoppers can’t get elsewhere, Chapman says. And in some cases Solid Signal is just doing a better job of selling more readily available products, such as digital TV converter boxes. The boxes are needed to make the switch to high definition broadcasts for non-cable or satellite system users.

Solid Signal, No. 493 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, saw that market coming early in 2008, built up its inventory and sold about 100,000 converter boxes in the second half of 2008, Chapman says.

Even after the digital converter box business fades, Chapman is optimistic about 2009. The company plans a site redesign for this summer and has ventured into new product areas, including more mobile entertainment such as satellite TV and radio for recreational vehicles and boats.

Despite the lean economy, Chapman expects Solid Signal to log sales of $18 million-$20 million in 2009. “We help people feel the online purchase experience is as good as if they actually picked up and held the item in the store,” he says. “We’re product-driven.”

Article from InternetRetailer.com