Time to move to an IP remote?
Plain old remotes are boring. While it’s really nice that you can use an infrared remote on almost any piece of equipment, there are some real limitations to the traditional remote. You have to point it…
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DIRECTV announces price increases
You knew they were coming. Pay-TV prices go up every year and DIRECTV is no exception. Of course, every round of increases is met with cries of “that’s it – I’m going to Netflix” or whatever….
Big shakeup at DISH – Ergen takes a new role
This is Erik Carlson, the new CEO of DISH. Charlie Ergen, the driving force behind the company, will stay on as Chairman, but is giving up the post of CEO, according to the press release, “to…
Forget about Exede and WildBlue – it’s just Viasat now
Satellite internet is great if you can’t get wired service. For example, if you’re on a boat at sea, or if you’re really really remote. For decades, Viasat, Exede and WildBlue have been three of the…
How do you change what programs show up in the playlist (DIRECTV Genie GUI)?
Power users seem to be having a tough time with the new menu system being rolled out for Genie DVRs. It’s pretty clear that in order to serve the needs of almost everyone else, those power-user-favored…
Can you turn an old tube TV into an HDTV?
Sad to say, it cannot be done. You can watch signals from most HD sources using a converter like this one but it’s still going to be in standard definition. The quality may look pretty good but when…
Wait, are the new DIRECTV menus grey or black?
If you’re trying to calibrate that new 4K Television, don’t use the new DIRECTV menus. They may look black, but the darkest portions are still dark grey. That means if you adjust the brightness and backlight…
STREAMING SATURDAY: What’s New at Hulu for December 2017
Do you use Hulu to stream your favorite shows and more? Here are three new Hulu updates and more for streamers like you! When it comes to covering streaming services, it’s been said that I neglect…
NEW VIDEO: Learn how to read antenna charts!
Thanks to a $10,000 spectrum analyzer from our friends at Televes USA, we’re able to measure antennas even more accurately than ever before! This video shows how to read the charts you’ll start to find with…
FUN FRIDAY: Jake and Stuart argue about Stranger Things 2
Did you like season two of Stranger Things? On this Fun Friday, The Solid Signal blog team argues the pros and cons of Netflix’s biggest streaming hit this year, Stranger Things. Jake Buckler:Let’s get one thing straight, Stuart…
Should you wait for the next big thing?
Because no one wants to end up with this old thing. Some would say there is an art to knowing when it’s time to get the next big thing, whether it’s a cell phone, a…
Will the H44 Genie Lite get the new DIRECTV user interface?
It didn’t exactly light up the world like some people thought it did. DIRECTV’s H44 Genie Lite is a smallish receiver (a little bigger than an H24) that can be converted to a full Genie with the addition…
NEW VIDEO: Lightning Magnetic Adapter
This little adapter promises to turn any lightning cable into a magnetic adapter like the ones used on Apple Macbooks. But does it work? Watch our tests then shop for the Lightning Magnetic Connector at Lightning…
NEW VIDEO: Check your DIRECTV Signal Strength (Genie GUI)
This new video will walk you through checking your signal strengths on any DIRECTV Genie DVR or client. If you have an older DVR, use this video instead: Solid Signal shows you how to check the…
ONE MONTH LATER: How’s that new Genie user interface treating you?
On November 1 of this year… AT&T dropped the biggest bombshell in Genie history on those with H44, HR44, HR54 and HS17 boxes. It’s a completely new interface from top to bottom, and it’s going to…