Have a “Ghost” in your house? How to get rid of it.

We’ve all had them in our house.  You’re watching TV late at night, in the dark…and all of a sudden… no, not poltergeist.  We’re referring to that image on your TV screen that does not belong – usually appearing as a replica of the desired image that is fainter and offset from the primary image. 

It’s called a ghost. 

What causes this?  Well, many structures can reflect TV signals much like they reflect light. This can lead to the TV receiver “seeing” more than one version of the TV signal. Ghosting results when a TV signal arrives at the receiver via more than one path. Low areas in a neighborhood are especially susceptible to ghosting.

Structures that cause this include church steeples, apartment/condominium buildings, school buildings, office and industrial buildings, large communications/radio/TV towers, athletic field lighting towers, and high tension power lines and towers.  

Trees and foliage aren’t usually a problem, but in some cases foliage can absorb TV signals and reduce their strength. Visit our forum for more info on what does and doesn’t cause ghosting, and discuss your own experience.  

More importantly, how can I fix it?  If ghosting is caused by a single structure that creates one distinct ghost image, a medium or large multi-directional antenna may be useful with careful positioning to eliminate the reflected signal. However, the antenna may require different positioning for each channel.  

Directional antennas are the most ghost-resistant antennas since they “see” in only one direction and have a tendency not to see the reflected ghost signal. The further away from structures the antenna is located the less likely a problem will occur. Many factors, however, such as the structure’s total surface area, the direction it faces, and neighborhood terrain, will influence how much effect the structure will have on TV reception. Visit http://www.antennaweb.org for additional info. 

In 2009, ghosts will permanently disappear when we switch to digital.  See our previous blog posting for more information on this, or call us at 1-866-3-SIGNAL.

Friday ~ June 06, 2007 by SolidSignal_MikePosted in General News| No Comments

 

2009: Digital Switch – what does it mean for antennas?

If you have not heard much about the 2009 switch from analog to digital signal – don’t worry, you will soon. 

Stories have started appearing in the New York Times, Yahoo, Consumer Reports and more about the topic.  There are a lot of helpful articles, sites and seminars emerging to make this easier for consumers and businesses.  Visit the DTV Transition Coalition for more information.   

Since there are a lot of great resources for understanding this switch, we’d like to focus on one particular aspect:  antennas.   As we make the switch to digital, antennas will continue to be a great way to get free, high quality content.  In addition, digital over-the-air TV is opening up opportunities for the regional networks to provide more channels.  In some markets, there are up to 30 channels available free and over the air to antenna users, including weather, music and movie channels.   

Here are a few tips for helping your antenna make the transition:

  • If you use an antenna to supplement cable or satellite, you will be unaffected.    
  • If you only use an antenna, but have an HDTV bought in the last few years, you’ll be unaffected.
  • If you only use an antenna, and have an older TV, listen here.  You will need to attach an external device that contains a digital tuner.  There  are a few ways to do this:
    • You can buy a digital converter box that converts digital feed from the antenna into analog signals your TV can accept.
    • You can also buy a new VCR, DVD recorder, or a DVR that contains a digital tuner.
    • If you do need to purchase digital converter boxes, you will be eligible for two $40 coupons from the government, but they are limited quantity.  See http://www.dtv.gov/ for more information.

Now – this isn’t Y2K.  We know what to expect and can prepare for the switch. Antennas will be a great way to continue receiving high quality content, so make sure you get a digital converter devise if necessary.  Please feel free to call (1-866-3-SIGNAL ) or email Solid Signal and let us know how we can help you.

Friday ~ June 06, 2007 by SolidSignal_MikePosted in General News| No Comments

 

A Multiswitch and a Light Bulb

Sometimes the best ideas can come when you’re not really looking for them.  Back in 2002, I was looking for a Spaun Multiswitch… a product that connects multiple receivers to a single satellite dish.  The product was new on the market and I could not find it anywhere.  After much effort, I decided to just contact the manufacturer. I got the product… and a light bulb went on in my head: if I am having trouble finding this… I bet others are too.  So I made a deal to distribute the Multiswitch.

And now Solid Signal offers thousands of products to help our customers solve technology problems. 

The multiswitch remains a popular product at Solid Signal.  For more information on multiswitches and how to choose the right one for you, CLICK HERE.  And while we’re on the topic of improving your experience with satellite TV, now is a great time to upgrade your DIRECTV equipment.  We have the DIRECTV(R) Plus HD DVR (HR20) for only $285.99.  This allows users to record one HD program while watching another and record two different shows at the same time, while watching a pre-recorded program. You can also pause and rewind live HD TV up to 90 minutes, use instant replay and watch in slow motion.

As DIRECTV expands its HD programming and with prices as low as they have ever been, it is an ideal time to upgrade. 

Solving problems and enhancing your technology - that’s why we’re here.  Let us know how we can help you solve a problem!

Wednesday ~ June 06, 2007 by SolidSignal_JerryPosted in General News| No Comments

 

HD Predictions

Through working with thousands of customers as well as personal research, Solid Signal has insight on the future of HD technology. Here are a few predictions we propose for the next five years, in terms of high definition television.

  • Transition from a “home theater room” to a media room. These days, systems in the home are increasingly connected and many homes have personal home theaters.  We see these trends continuing to come together as average families have media rooms with convergence of computers, HDTVs, HD DVD players, sound, lighting and so on to enhance customers’ technology experiences.
  • 1080p. This will be the main resolution sold in the future – because there is nothing better that will be practical for average buyers.
  • LCD as frontrunner.  Technology innovation has been more prevalent with LCD than with plasma – i.e. there are few 1080p plasmas in 50 inch or larger .
  • Bigger is better (for TVs). Most new HD televisions purchased are 42 inches and up.  This will only increase as technology becomes more affordable.
  • Using an antenna to get HD. Antennas are an affordable way for customers to get the best HD picture quality.  At Solid Signal, we’ve seen sales surge in the past few years and anticipate this continuing to increase as more people own HDTVs and learn about the benefits of antennas.

Working with professional media installers – as well as average families – helps us see these HD trends in action.  Let us help you stay on top of the latest tech trends!  Visit www.solidsignal.com for the latest products or discuss your thoughts on trend predications in our forum.

Tuesday ~ June 06, 2007 by SolidSignal_MusaPosted in General News| No Comments