Photo By Siberex / CC BY Did you brought home your new Flat TV? Now thinking for self wall mount installation? Hanging a TV on your favorite wall may be a project to be accomplished within an hour only if you know the perfect way to moun..... Read More

Photo By Siberex / CC BY

Did you brought home your new Flat TV? Now thinking for self wall mount installation? Hanging a TV on your favorite wall may be a project to be accomplished within an hour only if you know the perfect way to mount your TV or a professional hand is there to do so. But if you are totally new to this project & excited enough to mount your tv yourself then there are some facts to consider to safely and securely wall mount your TV:

1. Never think to modify or change the electrical plug of your TV. There are proper cables and codes towards your TV points Installation and electrical outlet to avoid electrical shock

2. Never think to hang your TV on a picture hook. There are proper brackets considering the specific weight of your TV to hold it firmly with the wall. Follow the instruction guide to have the best fit possible.

3. Be sure that the area behind the wall that you have chosen is clear. Use a Stud Finder for searching the proper studs that will hold your TV. Some walls aren’t made to be mounted, be sure you find a proper one.

4. Don’t forget to turn off the power before actually start drilling the wall as you may get that unexpected shock.

5. Take the proper measurements of the distance of the brackets and get the appropriate tools and equipment for fixing the brackets and the TV.

6. Be sure you have at least another helping hand to lift up your TV up to the targeted wall to prevent any TV weight accidents.

7. Make sure all the cords and cables are totally out of reach of the children or you may use cable cover for the best safety.

Following these simple and easy tips may help you to accomplish your dream goal. But if you are still not confident enough to properly mount your TV then better hand over these issues to an expert and professional hand and enjoy a perfectly mounted TV on your wall!

Television in Australia hit a major milestone in 2013, as all analogue signals were turned off and digital TV took over. Without any doubt, this has been a positive thing for Australian residents as they now have a great number of channels..... Read More

Television in Australia hit a major milestone in 2013, as all analogue signals were turned off and digital TV took over. Without any doubt, this has been a positive thing for Australian residents as they now have a great number of channels and programming at their disposal without having to spend a great deal on new equipment. However, in some cases an upgrade has been required - whether it be a new antenna, television or set-top box. If you’re looking at replacing your TV antenna, or you’re just looking for a little information on the subject, this guide is for you.

What is digital TV?

Digital TV is essentially an audio-visual transmission that is digitally processed rather than by analogue. From the viewer’s point-of-view, a lot has changed. Because digital transmissions can support a greater bandwidth at the one frequency, TV channels can broadcast multiple channels and can do so with greater picture and sound quality.

It also allows for the transmission of radio stations and digital television which is also compatible with computers and the internet. In fact it’s likely that we’ll all be using one screen to access the internet, television and our landline telephones very soon. Another benefit is the fact that if everything is set up properly, the reception is much more steady and reliable.

How do I gain access to digital television?

Because they are only digital television signals available at the moment and technology is aimed at picking up on these signals, gaining access is very simple. If you have an old analogue television, you can purchase a set-top box (which essentially deciphers the digital signal so that your analogue TV can interpret it), plug it in and you shouldn’t have any problems.

But we’d strongly recommend purchasing a digital TV as they are various advantages to doing so. For one thing, you don’t have to have the set-top box taking up space in your lounge (keep in mind it will soon be all but obsolete). Further, digital TV’s provide a clearer picture, can be connected to computers, often have USB port and can be connected to other devices via a HDMI cable.

When it comes to antennas, chances are you’re good to go with an old analogue antenna if it’s fitted to your roof. If you have an analogue indoor antenna or bunny ears, these can still work but you’re probably looking at a pretty poor signal most of the time. Of course this depends on various factors including your location, proximity to large objects around your home and where the TV tower is.

Again, if this is the case or if you are finding that your existing antenna isn’t reliable, upgrading the antenna is a good option.

What do I need to know about buying a digital antenna?

There are many options here when it comes to purchasing a digital antenna and again the appropriate solution will depend greatly on your specific circumstances. Basically the first thing you have to ascertain is how long-term you want this antenna to be. If you are renting, you might want to look at buying an indoor antenna - setting these up is very simple and you can take it with you when you move on. Basically you just want to make sure it’s not placed near any large metal objects and you should be able to get a signal that is workable and fairly reliable.

For an outdoor, long-term and higher quality solution - if you aren’t getting help from a professional antenna installer, you’ll need to find out how close you are to your local television broadcast tower. There are different digital TV antennas that are more appropriate when you are close by. Do you’re research, ask your retailer and they’ll be able to give you the proper solution. You can buy new antennas from most electronic retailers.

DIY or professional?

Unless you have purchased bunny ears or an indoor digital antenna, we’d strongly recommend going with a professional. This will save you the trouble of having to conduct research to make sure you’re getting the right antenna and also saves you having to do the installation yourself.

Installing a TV antenna is no easy task for a DIY homeowner. It’s much more involved than simply plugging cables in the right sockets. It involves spending a great deal of time on your roof, fiddling around with wires, trial and error, testing and diagnosing problems that might crop up. It’s quite dangerous and frankly, it can be difficult to get things working properly without experience and knowledge.

For a professional, there is a lot that comes into choosing the appropriate antenna system for a customer and they work with you to get the best possible reception possible with the use of amplifiers and boosters if needed.

Tuning your digital television

Generally speaking, any digital television should automatically pick up on the channels however asking your television to scan for new channels is an option if you they aren’t properly synchronised. When the analogue signals were officially turned off in 2013, home owners needed to tune their televisions to ensure all channels were being picked up at the correct frequency, but this shouldn’t be a problem now.

In fact, tuning one’s television is becoming a rather ancient concept within itself. If the picture and/or or is scattered it’s more likely that you’re having reception issues (see below).

Reception trouble?

There are many things that can lead to reception issues and we’ve eluded to quite a few in this article. One of the most common is due to old equipment that needs to be replaced but if you’re sure this isn’t the problem it may be one of the following:

- Faulty and deteriorated cables can lead to poor reception if wires aren’t making contact correctly. If you’re experiencing problems unplug and re-plug all the cables leading to your television.

- If you are in an area with tall buildings and/or trees, or living in a valley, poor reception might be noticed every so often. This is because the signal struggles to get a direct line to your antenna. A professional may be able to provide a solution here.

- Poor weather conditions can lead to bad reception. Further, high winds and storms can dislodge or do damage to your outdoor antenna, which can be harmful to your picture and sound quality.

If you need to speak to a professional about your antenna and digital TV situation or just need some advice, feel free to give the team at Local Bloke Antenna Services a call in Brisbane today. We’d be happy to hear from you!

Photo by Yonatanh / CC BY When it comes to getting a great signal on your television, the quality of your antenna, cabling and installation level play important roles, but when the weather is bad there is not much you can control. However..... Read More

Photo by Yonatanh / CC BY

When it comes to getting a great signal on your television, the quality of your antenna, cabling and installation level play important roles, but when the weather is bad there is not much you can control. However there are certainly things you can do to protect your television antenna from producing intermittent picture. When it comes to bad weather, with a few simple tips you can be enjoying your favourite programmes in comfort inside.

One of the best ways to ensure that the weather doesn’t adversely affect your picture quality is by ensuring that your antenna is wind proof. Sometimes strong winds can move an antenna out of place and make it point in the wrong direction. If you have a Yagi Antenna that is built to be pointed at your local broadcasting station this will mean a complete loss of picture and services if it is blown in another direction.

Secure Your Antenna

Securing your antenna properly is a case of purchasing the correct installation tools and brackets that you need to secure it to your rooftop. A secure bracket will prevent your antenna from moving too much in high winds, and allow you to fix it permanently in the direction of your broadcasting antenna. Purchasing a signal meter will help you determine where the perfect direction is, and securing it tightly will stop your intermittent picture in its tracks.

Water damage can adversely affect your picture quality, and even cut out signals if the wire in the cable becomes damp and starts to corrode. Most high quality coaxial antenna cable is copper-core, meaning that is will deteriorate over time, especially if exposed to the elements.

Use high quality cables which are oxygen-free, to ensure no static interference is penetrating your cable and causing interference which in turn causes signal loss.

Waterproof and Seal Your Entry Points

Ensure that all cable runs that come into your home are sealed correctly using a water proof sealant. Many people overlook this fact and simply plaster around the hole where the cable comes into the house.

Whilst plaster is great for a dry interior, it can degrade over time and cause water to seep into your property, causing damage to your electrical system, TV points, cables and even your walls with damp and rot.

Install A Loft Antenna

If you live in an area with frequent adverse weather, why not install your digital television antenna inside your loft space. This is a great way to ensure that your antenna is not exposed to the elements and allows you to access the antenna whenever you need.

These types of antenna are perfect for those that live in an area with a strong signal quality and possibly use a wide band or high gain antenna to maximum effect.

Ensuring your antennas are in good condition and water proof will keep them in better condition over time, meaning they will last longer, a professional digital antenna installation can last up to 25 to 30 years given regular maintenance, meaning you will save money and protect your investment in your entertainment for the years to come.