Great resource for all your Antenna and TV Needs

Unlike, most people in America I was really excited about the digital tv swich that finally took place on June 12th.  My excitement stemmed from the fact that I have abandoned traditional video delivery services such as cable and satellite.  My main reason is cost and duplication.  Many of the programs me and my wife view are on network television and or available on DVD from Netflix.   Using our high speed internet connection we regularly stream from sites like hulu and use the netflix online via the xbox 360.  However, every now and then we get the urge to watch something live.  In the past that meant dealing with fuzzy rabbit ears or more technically Over the Air (OTA) broadcast signals.   With the digital transition complete all of my programming is in High Definition and Crystal Clear!

However to get there required some minimal upgrades.  I needed a bigger antenna and one that ideally recieved all my local stations without using rotators or other wacky hardware.  I also wanted something that was of better quality then your standard settop rabbit ears.

I went to www.solidsignal.com and they were quite helpful in designing a solution that would fit my specific home and its surrounding geography.  This was incredibly important to me because I didn’t want to spend days tirelessly googling all the technical specifications for all the various TV Antennas on the market.  They were able to use my address and location of my local TV towers to recommend a complete solution.  It included:

• Recommended TV Antenna
• Recommended Amplifier
• Recommended Mounting hardware for either Roof, Gable, Attic or Tower mounting
• Sent technical literature on how to properly install according to local codes
• Most importantly sent a quote for the system

All this was done through an email.  It took a couple days for one of there qualified technicians to return my request, but the wait was worth it.

In general, I was pleased with my experience with solid signal.  They shipped promptly and delivered a quality product.  Most importantly there technical assistance was superb and done in a none invasive low pressure manner.  Certainly beats going to your local big box retailer where the sales associate is not really knowledgeable and is only interested in selling a product on the shelf.

I highly recommend checking them out for any of your OTA TV antenna needs.  They also offer products for satellite programming and cellular repeaters.  I know some of you guys out there are fighting with poor AT&T reception on your iphones, they may offer you a good cellular repeater.

Anyways its late

-L8r

Ipod Touch OS 3.0 Update and MLB 2009

So its been a while since i have posted anything.  I could post lots of excuses, but figure I would give Blogging a real honest effort again.

The Big event of today appears to have been the Iphone 3.0 update.  From my perspective I was not entirely excited about it because i am a lowely touch user.  The OS by itself was less than appealing.  However, the applications that will be developed because of the unlocked bluetooth radio, will be interesting.  I tried to sync with my bluetooth in my Mac but apparently the Ipod Touch does not have any file transfer profile loaded.  Silly me, I should have known better.

However what did have me all geeked out was MLB 2009.  This application has got to be the best applicaiton in the app store for Ipod/Iphone users.  Even if you are not a sports fan you have got to appreciate what it offers.

• Live game tracking for all Games
• Live Game Audio from visiting and home teams for all All Games
• After the game is finished, View a consolidated replay of the whole game. ( basically shows you the key plays without the non sense of the picture scratching himself)
• General MLB Video Highlights
• Up to Date Standings
• And the Latest feature.  Live Game Video for Select Games.

All this for 9.95 Considering that cable or satellite will try and charge upwards of 80 bucks for the package.  I think its a fantastic deal for the busy fan.

Now my only gripe is that to view live game video you have to have location services enabled.  Apparently they use your GPS or Wifi to determine your location so they can determine blackout restrictions.   The only reason that is an issue is because you have to register your home router with skyhook. Apparently, they don’t rush to enter your information either.  So i need to wait at least a week or more before location services work.  Until then I can only imagine what live video will be like on the touch.

Feature wise,  I haven’t seen much that makes me go ..OH WOW.   I suppose if I get a pair of headphones with the mic built in, the memo application could be useful.  Until then, I will explore and review and see how it grows on me

-L8r