Obviously when you get an Antenna professional out to your home to install or replace a TV antenna, you expect them to install good quality equipment and make sure you have good TV reception at all outlets. This just seems like a given.

However... We've noticed that the quality of antenna installations is sometimes just downright terrible.  It's almost like the installers have completely forgotten about safety, endurance and aesthetics. We are often fixing up antennas that are suffering from nothing more than poor installation.  

Some things to look for and EXPECT as standard from your antenna installer are:
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• Neatly arranged cable (cable tied in place to the mast)
• Extra length of cable neatly looped on mast (this allows for enough cable in the event that your antenna needs replacing or new connectors need fitting)
• Good quality parts (connectors, mast, screws)
• Quality silicone used to seal mounting plates or other areas that may result in water seepage

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Making sure your antenna installer covers these points along with quality antenna, RG6 cable and confirmation that your signal levels meet Australian standards (using a signal meter), you should have no problems with your antenna.

If you've had a dodgy antenna installation - give us a call, we'll help you get it sorted. 

WOW!  Last week we did some work for a Customer in Redcliffe.  He was having all kinds of TV reception issues and called us to help him get it sorted.  We did the job and then got this amazing review back via our feedback form on our website.  It was such a lovely review, we just HAD to share it. 

We want all of our Customers to feel this delighted after working with us. 

​Good Job Geoff -

Let's face it... Moving is the ABSOLUTE PITS!

Let us take the hassle out of your move.  We offer a move house service where we come and pack up all your Audio Visual gear (TV's, DVD's, Amplifiers, Speakers, Foxtel boxes, playstations, apple TV's, all your cables and any other AV gear you have).  We'll box it up safe in waterproof plastic containers and move it all to your new home.  Then, we'll set it all back up for you, connect it all and have you relaxing on the couch after a hard days moving, watching your favourite shows. 

This customer was moving from Scarborough to Narangba, so we dismantled, moved and set up all their AV gear for the lounge room and master bedroom.  

Certainly made life easier for our customer, and they didn't have to worry about there expensive gear going in the back of a moving truck with the rest of their furniture.  

Winning Solution!

Give us a call if you're moving and we'll help you out with your AV stuff. 

​Geoff 

So today's job in Redcliffe, was installing an LG short-throw laser projector and wall mounting the accompanying 100-inch screen.  We did a few of these when they first hit the market back in around 2013, but this is the first one we've done it quite a while.  It was a reminder of how different this product was compared to all the other home theatre solutions on the market and also how tricky the installation is - requiring 100% professional installation. 

Our customer had moved house and needed to get the equipment installed in the new house.  The product, once installed is really quite good, but it never really took off as a concept.  Mostly, I think because for the price point (and the tricky installation), technology was soon catching up, with bigger screens becoming available on the market in LCD and LED technology. However, at the time, this was the biggest screen that you could get without installing full rear projection technology with roof mounts etc. 

This customer has had the equipment for around 4 years and its still performing as well as it did when they first got it home, which is great.

It's a short-throw projector, meaning it sits close to the screen — just 56cm away, actually. This means you don't have to worry about installing it on the roof or on a back wall, it can sit directly in front of the screen without anything (or anyone) blocking the projection.  It's also designed to work effectively even in rooms with a lot of light which many cheaper projector solutions don't do too well. It does this by using a specially designed black screen that uses reflective anti-glare technology. 

Whilst I'm glad technology has moved on from this product as a home theatre solution, I appreciate it for what it is and the innovation at the time it hit the market.  

Give me a high quality rear projection home theatre solution any day.

​Geoff. 

This school holidays we can highly recommend downloading the Freeview App so your kids have easy access to kids TV on the go. 

Streaming for kids!
With over 150 kids titles all streaming from one place, Freeview FV is the best companion for any kid these school holidays!
Forget any subscription fees... It's all free!

There is quite a lot to consider when you are looking at installing a TV antenna.  If you google it, I’m certain you will find instructions or video’s on how to install an antenna. If you are quite handy, have the right tools at your disposal, have plenty of spare time for research and doing the work – maybe you could give it a go.  HOWEVER, this comes with a huge caution, because it’s not always as simple as it’s made out to be.
 
Here are a few other considerations before you even begin spending time or money on a self-installation:
 
The right tools
Professional TV antenna installers will have particular tools and equipment to ensure excellent digital reception to all TV points.  The most important of these elements is the digital signal meter, which will detail the exact strength of signal for each TV channel at each TV point in the home.  This equipment is worth thousands of dollars and isn’t accessible to the average home installer. As such you may be relying on a simple “point & shoot” method to get good reception, which is not reliable and doesn’t guarantee good quality signal across all channels.
 
Distance between the TV and antenna.
Digital TV signals can deteriorate through coaxial cables over longer distances. We recommend your antenna is placed within about 20 metres of your TV. If the antenna needs to be positioned at a further distance than this, then it’s important that the antenna is powerful enough to mitigate any loss of signal.  Alternatively, you could install an amplifier to boost the signal.
 
Where to mount and point the antenna
You will need to start by finding out where your local TV station transmitters are.  You can usually google this information or contact one of your local TV stations and ask them.  Best signals will be gained when the antenna is directed at your nearest TV transmission station.  This part can be trickier than it may seem at first;

1. You need to know the direction of the station as closely as possible
2. TV signal uses ‘line of sight’, meaning that trees, buildings, hills or other structures that block the physical line of sight between the antenna and the station will impact strength and reliability of signal. 
3. You will need to consider how high to mount the antenna.  Obviously the higher you go, the less likely you are to encounter line of sight issues.  So as a general rule, the higher the better.  However, it is not necessary to go with extra high mounts unless signal strength or line of sight is an issue.
4. You can get multi-directional TV antennas that pull signals from several directions, but it’s worth talking to an antenna supplier prior to purchasing any antenna to ensure it fits the purpose
5. Of course, you will want to consider the aesthetics of the home to ensure that you are happy with the location of the antenna and the look and feel of the home.  It is for this reason that some people choose to install internal antenna’s (which are installed within the roof cavity), rather than external.  We do not recommend this option, particularly in poor signal areas, as they are not usually a reliable option for good consistent signal. 

 
Cable and wall plates
Of course if you are installing a new antenna or new TV points, you will need to factor in the cost and skills required to run the cable from the antenna, through the wall/ceiling cavities, to the TV point/s in the home.  This can be tricky business for the home installer and can take an understanding of the structure of the home and how to safely get cable through the cavities.  Please ensure that you have checked the relevant building and electrical codes prior to running cable, to ensure that you are installing safely.  Be sure that you stay a safe distance from power cables (min distances vary by state depending on building codes).
 
So, whilst it is possible to install your own TV antenna, it is highly recommended to get a professional installer.  The use of professional signal meters alone, will save possible hours in trying to find signal and align the antenna, and get the best possible reception on each TV channel.  Experience also affords professional installers plenty of tips and tricks to antenna placement and installation that might just make the difference between OK TV signals and fantastic TV signals.  Of course the other major factor in considering a professional installation is safety.  Professional installers are trained to work at heights, trained to run cable safely within the cavities of the home and are insured in case anything goes wrong.
 
If you want to save yourself, time, stress and money, get a professional to help you install your TV Antenna.  You won’t regret it.  ​​

What is Freeviewplus?
FreeviewPlus is a television service delivered via aerial and broadband providing a state of the art EPG and seamless access to Catch Up TV across the Freeview networks, with the simple press of a button on the remote control.

How do I get Freeviewplus?
You can access FreeviewPlus from a FreeviewPlus-enabled television receiver, set-top box (STB) or personal video recorder (PVR). You then need to connect your FreeviewPlus receiver to an aerial and broadband internet to access FreeviewPlus. An ADSL2 or faster broadband connection is recommended.

Is Freeviewplus a free service?
The FreeviewPlus service is made available by Freeview Australia for free, however, this service requires a broadband internet connection. It is a metered service, that means the access and use of FreeviewPlus will count towards the data limit of your broadband plan.

​Want to find out more about Freeviewplus?
visit the Freeviewplus website where you can find heaps of information and instructional videos.

Using a smart TV is just one of the many ways you can stream services like Netflix and Stan. There’s  a number of options that you can use, to get your Netflix fix. 

These include:

• Using Apple TV
• Through Google Chromecast
• Using your compatible gaming console (Xbox, PlayStation)
• Through your tablet or computer
• Other Options
  

Using Apple TV 
Apple TV is a relatively cheap (currently around $239 - $299) way to watch a variety of media from any television with an HDMI port (most from the last 10 years). What I love about using Apple TV to watch Netflix (and other streaming services) is that the navigation through your Apple TV remote is so easy.  The app is right there on the home screen and you can browse through the many shows and movies so easily.  Plus you get the other benefits that come with Apple TV, such as easy ways to enjoy photos, music and iTunes content on your TV.

Through Google Chromecast 
Google's Chromecast option is a cheaper way to access your Netflix (or other content) to your TV (currently around $59). Chromecast is basically a simple way to stream content from a smartphone or tablet to a TV.  To stream Netflix through Chromecast, simply plug the Chromecast dongle into the HDMI port in the back of your television and change your TV’s input to HDMI.  Then you can "cast" content from your smartphone or tablet to the TV wirelessly.  So once you've found your show in Netflix on your smartphone or tablet, simply click on the "cast" icon and the content will show up on your TV.

In my view, the setup of Chromecast is a little more involved and less obvious for the non-techy folks.  But once you are up and running its pretty easy to use.  

Using a compatible gaming console (Xbox, PlayStation and Wii U) 
If you own either an Xbox (360 or One), Playstation (3 or 4) or Wii U, you can already access Netflix. Each of these consoles has an online store where you can download games and applications, including Netflix Australia.  Simply download the application from the appropriate store (it’s always free to download), log in with your Netflix account details and you’ll be watching Netflix in no time. The only tricky part here is learning to use your gaming controls, to navigate your Netflix menu's.  That can take some getting used to, but this is an otherwise easy way to enjoy Netflix.

Through a tablet or computer
Using the appropriate HDMI cable, (can vary depending on your available ports on your tablet or computer) connect your computer or tablet to your TV with an adapter, change your television to the relevant HDMI input and you should see the screen from your tablet or computer mirrored on the television. Then all you have to do is access Netflix via your web browser or mobile app and you’ll be watching Netflix on the big screen in no time.

Other options
There are a number of Netflix compatible devices now being developed such as Blu-ray players and Fetch TV, Netflix have kindly detailed these devices on their website to keep us all in the loop.  

Here is the link to find out if your device is Netflix compatible. devices.netflix.com/en/

If you'd like some help getting your Netflix ready devices connected or would like to ask us about our Apple TV + Install Bundle, get in touch with us today.

As far as we are concerned, there is nothing more important than keeping your family and friends safe, especially the little ones.  With the increase in flat panel TV's in the home, the number of injuries and deaths relating to TV's toppling is also on the rise.  Scary!

It's not that difficult to safely secure your TV to the cabinet that it rests on with an anchor or safety strap, or better still, get the TV off the furniture (which can also topple) and get it on the wall.  You still need to ensure proper safety procedures are followed and good quality parts (mounts, bolts, straps etc) are used, to ensure that your installation is safe.  

Now is the time to make it happen, before it's too late.

If you would like to get professional help to install your safety straps, anchors or wall mount your TV - Get in touch with us.  We will ensure that ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) recommendations and regulations are adhered to. 

Stay Safe :-)