Antennas

• The antenna should be in a location where it can get adequate signals from the nearest broadcast tower. If your antenna seems a bit low, try to prop it up by using masts. There are tons of ways to install antennas outdoors. Try looking it up online or consulting with specialists.
• If the antenna is a bit old, try to have it replaced with a new one. There are tons of companies out there that have certified technicians who can assist you. These types of companies are highly recommended as they have tons of experience on the matter and also have lengthy warranties on their installation.
• For directional antennas, they need to be pointed to the nearest signal tower. Tools have been made available by the government to help you pinpoint this. Use the tool to double check that you’ve positioned your antenna correctly.

Cabling

• It is important that the cables are properly connected. If they are dislodged even just slightly, their efficiency is instantly affected. It is sometimes hard to detect this because the cables would still work despite the slight detachment. Regular inspection and vigilance is key to preventing this.
• Line efficiency is also reliant on cable quality. Make sure you are using coax cables that are of good quality. If you feel that the signal has degraded, try to see if this is the problem.
• In households where signal splitters are in use, isolative troubleshooting will need to be employed. If only select televisions are having issues with reception, it could be a cable or TV problem. If all are affected, however, you may need to review the setup. An easy way to pinpoint if the setup is causing problems is by removing everything and connecting a sole television to the root. If it has significantly improved, you may have distributed the signal too much or the signal splitters were not properly installed.

TV and Set-top Box

• If cable quality is alright and they are properly connected, try to see if the box is emitting excessive heat. It might not be ventilated well. When this happens, the heated mechanical parts would under-perform and decrease the efficiency. To alleviate this, keep the box free of any items below and behind it. Likewise, try to keep it out of enclosed spaces like see-thru cabinets. It would work better in the open.
• There are some households that have analogue TVs and use digital set-top boxes to convert the digital signal received to analogue. While this is a common setup, there’s a possibility that signals are lost in translation. For best results, combine the digital set-top box with a digital TV.
  

  Signal Boosters

• Signal boosters are great and should be utilized if you feel that you aren’t getting decent reception. There are tons available online and in local stores.
• Conversely, these can also cause problems when not installed correctly. If you or a neighbour has an incorrectly installed one, the direct surroundings are instantly affected. Aside from not being able to perform its job, the faulty signal boosters can also mess with radio and mobile phone signals. Check with your neighbours if they are using one and advise them of the risks of faulty installation.
  Australian Antennas is a renowned specialist when it comes to Digital Antenna installation in Melbourne. They have absolute trust in their skills and offer 10 year guarantees on all their installs. Best of all, you can get a feel for their pricing by getting a free quote. No hard feelings if you don’t proceed.

The post 10 Ways to Improve Digital TV Reception appeared first on Homeib.

It goes without saying that your flat screen TV deserves proper care and maintenance to ensure it continues to bring you years of the vibrant colors and clarity you’ve grown to love. Regular cleaning of the display surface is absolutely necessary to remove dust or any foreign matter that will accumulate over time and disrupt your viewing experience. While that sounds like a relatively elementary process, without the proper technique it very easy to cause permanent damage to the display surface in the process of cleaning it.

The first thing to remember is that modern flat screen TVs (LED, LCD, or Plasma monitors) have a very different display surface than older CRT monitors. Older devices generally had a very thick glass surface which could be safely cleaned in much the same way as window could. This is no longer the case. Modern flat screen TVs have a much more thin and sensitive screen which needs to be handled with more thought and care to prevent damage.

The following steps will walk you through how to clean your flat screen TV quickly and safely.

• Turn the TV completely off. When the screen is black you can more easily see any dust or debris stuck to the surface.
• Select a very soft cloth or towel. The best option is a micro-fibre type towel which is generally sold for cleaning eye glasses.
• Very gently wipe the screen surface with the towel to remove any debris.
• If any foreign matter is remaining on the screen, do not add additional pressure in an attempt to remove it. This kind of action can damage the screen. If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with either plain water, a half and half mixture of water and vinegar, or a cleaning solution designated as monitor safe.

A few more take-aways to keep in mind when caring for your TV are as follows:

• Paper towels or tissue paper should never used to wipe the TV screen. They are not soft and can scratch the surface.
• Cleaning solutions that contain alcohol, ammonia, acetone, or chloride, should be completely avoided. They can wear down the surface of the screen and cause discoloration.
• It is even advised to check the ingredients of products labeled as monitor safe and avoid anything containing these compounds.
• Water or cleaning solutions should never be sprayed directly onto the screen as it can drip down to the edges and get inside of the device causing damage.

Your flat screen TV is likely one of the largest investments you make in the livability of your home. Following these simple steps will ensure that it stays clean and clear for years to come. Now that your TV screen is nice and clean, the best thing you can do improve your viewing experience is to place it on a beautiful flat screen TV stand.

The post How to Clean a Flat Screen TV appeared first on Homeib.