How small can a satellite receiver get?
The first DIRECTV receivers were the size of two medium pizza boxes stacked one on top of each other. Remember this was a receiver, not a DVR, and it was only standard definition. Size didn’t play…
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C41 Wireless giving you instructions in Spanish? Here’s the easy fix.
We’ve received reports that a small number of C41W Wireless Genie Mini Clients are reaching customers with their menus in Spanish. As far as we know, no inventory from Solid Signal is affected, but we thought that…
NICE AND EASY: How do you aim the Flatwave Air (FL6550A) antenna?
It’s easier than you think. The side with the logo points toward the towers. The large flat surface should have a good view of the towers. If you’re using a compass, place it so that the…
Solid Signal’s HANDS ON REVIEW: Technicolor COM2000
Freedom from bad hotel TV. Let’s face it, hotels haven’t kept up with TV technology in the last ten years. Sure, hotel rooms have embraced large flat TVs that eliminate the need for big credenzas in…
A commercial headend in your house? Seriously?
Most folks aren’t going to pay $36,000 for this 48-channel pre-built headend system. That’s a little more than most people are willing to do. But you know what, if you’re one of the super-rich… it’s not such…
NICE AND EASY: How many Broadband DECAs do you need for a SWM16?
Planning on a little DIY satellite upgrade? We’ve got the serious down-and-dirty tutorials that will help you plan it all, but between our SWM Upgrade White Paper, our Guide to Coax Networking and our White Paper for systems over 16…
NICE AND EASY: How do you hook up a Redmere HDMI Cable?
Unlike other HDMI cables, Redmere cables are directional. Redmere technology lets you run a 50-foot-long HDMI cable that’s as thin as your cell phone cable, but there is one little twist: You have to know how to…
Should you use DIRECTV’s “Native Mode?”
Hidden deep within the DIRECTV menu structure is a setting called “Native.” You may have seen it and not known why it was there, or you may have tried it and noticed it didn’t seem to…
NICE AND EASY: Do you need a DECA for a Genie?
This is a DECA. It converts the network signal that’s on your DIRECTV coaxial cable into a form that can travel on a regular category 5 or category 6 Ethernet cable. It’s used for older DIRECTV…
iView 3500STBII Quick Review
There have been reviews in other places about this Tuner/DVR. One of the most complete I’ve come across is on iView-3500STB Tuner & DVR Owners Thread This review was for the original iView 3500STB and is by videobruce. SolidSignal…
DIRECTV Wireless Genie Mini now available nationally
Today’s the official “coming out party” for the C41W Wireless Genie Mini. Sure, we’ve been talking about it for over a year but starting today you’ll be hearing about it everywhere as DIRECTV ramps up its advertising…
Best of the Blog 2013, Volume 4
Take a look at the best from the fall and early winter of 2013.
Why doesn’t DIRECTV want you to run an ethernet cable to the receiver?
DIRECTV’s sent you a message with its H25 receiver and Genie Mini Clients. Wired Ethernet, it would seem, is a thing of the past — neither product has the familiar RJ45 port for Ethernet networking. Both rely solely on…
What I learned about Antennas
As a kid, antennas to me were just rabbit ears. I remember the days of moving them around, and hitting the side of the TV in hopes of a clearer picture. I knew there were outdoor…
Best of the Blog 2013, Volume 3
Take a look at the best from the summer of 2013.