Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Antenna help
If you have an HD set or are using a digital converter and are having issues with aiming an antenna to receive all the stations you want, there may be help on the way.
We’re seeing new "smart" antennas coming on the market. A typical smart antenna resembles a pancake with four horizontal rods sticking out from it every 90 degrees. What the device does is take information fed back from the receiver to electrically select a combination of those rods to create a directional antenna for optimum reception. In theory it sounds like a handy idea for digital reception which at times can be trickier than analog.
While I haven’t spotted any televisions as yet with the smart antenna port, there are several digital TV converters on the market with the feature. You want to look for the words "smart antenna port" or "EIA/CEA-909 Standard" which refers to the joint standard developed by the Electronic Industries Alliance and the Consumer Electronics Association.
We’d be very interested in hearing from anyone who is currently using this technology.
We’re seeing new "smart" antennas coming on the market. A typical smart antenna resembles a pancake with four horizontal rods sticking out from it every 90 degrees. What the device does is take information fed back from the receiver to electrically select a combination of those rods to create a directional antenna for optimum reception. In theory it sounds like a handy idea for digital reception which at times can be trickier than analog.
While I haven’t spotted any televisions as yet with the smart antenna port, there are several digital TV converters on the market with the feature. You want to look for the words "smart antenna port" or "EIA/CEA-909 Standard" which refers to the joint standard developed by the Electronic Industries Alliance and the Consumer Electronics Association.
We’d be very interested in hearing from anyone who is currently using this technology.
# posted by DJM @ 9:13 PM 
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ANTENNAS DIRECT® TO EXHIBIT AT NAB 2008 THE FUTURE FOR SMALL ANTENNA DESIGNS,ANNOUNCE NAB PARTNERSHIP FOR SMART ANTENNA DEVELOPMENT,
AND TV BROADCASTER’S PARTNER PROGRAM
To Include The First In A Series of
Compact Highly Efficient Indoor And Outdoor Antennas, And A National Program To Support Off-Air TV Reception
March 21, 2008, St. Louis, MO – At the NAB trade show next month, Antennas Direct will release preliminary details on a signed partnership with the NAB to develop a new CEA909A compliant Indoor Off-Air Smart Antenna™. They will also introduce several new Off-Air antennas, to include the ClearStream2™, their newest and best long range outdoor antenna. Advanced computer software was used to design this compact (10”x20”) high performance antenna. And they will also exhibit the new Lacrosse® Micron™ DTV antenna, a true breakthrough in indoor design. It is over 90% efficient and all in a very small 10”x10” Radome; it’s rabbit ears on steroids. Also, Antennas Direct will announce a fully supported TV Broadcast Partners Program™.
NAB's FASTROAD (Flexible Advanced Services for Television and Radio On All Devices) technology advocacy program recently awarded a contract to Antennas Direct to develop an indoor Smart Antenna. The Consumer Electronics Association CE-909A Smart Antenna interface standard has laid the groundwork that could make the "antenna reception dance" a welcome distant memory. The interface standard was recently revised, allowing a smart television receiver to communicate with Antennas Direct's Off-Air Smart Antenna over the RF antenna cable to automatically optimize gain and antenna pattern for best reception. "We were impressed with both the expertise and the enthusiasm at Antennas Direct for potentially improving consumer satisfaction with reception of Off-Air TV service," said Lynn Claudy, NAB's Senior Vice President, Science and Technology. "Smart antenna technology can make a huge difference in the overall consumer experience, allowing access to all local television signals without having to spend a lot of time aiming or re-aiming antennas. This technology could be a real game-changer."
The ClearStream2 Off-Air antennas represent a unique breakthrough in size and unmatched ultra efficient design and directionality. Advanced computer aided design software was used in the production of these compact 10”x20” antennas. The ClearStream2 Dual Loop design provides high efficiency and allows more than 90% of the available broadcast signal to actually reach the incoming antenna cable rather than being lost to impedance mismatches.
The Lacrosse Micron Indoor antenna also represents a breakthrough indoor design. It has a maximum gain of 8dBi in only a 10”x10” form and is 98% efficient at 525 MHz. For the 75% or more of Off-Air households having only set-top antennas and pay-TV subscribers looking for an indoor backup, an alternative to cable or satellite or a digital reception solution for second TV sets, the Micron is the answer.
Both antennas were designed specifically for the post 2009 UHF DTV frequencies but also offer nominal reception of high VHF channels.
The FCC recently put out their Order on DTV Education, which requires broadcasters to provide prescribed DTV education elements or to agree to adhere to NAB's voluntary "safe harbor" program. The messages will include information on reception equipment requirements. Antennas Direct’s Broadcast Partners Program™ is an Off-Air antenna marketing program that will aid station viewers in selecting and purchasing the right digital antenna. This antenna selection process is especially helpful in metro/urban areas where viewers may not have a clear line-of-sight to the station’s tower, or in outlying fringe areas.
Each participating station will receive a map of the station’s coverage area, with a graphic overlay of Antennas Direct’s antenna selector, to assist viewers in finding the right antenna for specific locations. A selection of specially priced digital antenna bundles will be sent to participating stations for testing. The bundles will include the new Micron and new ClearStream2 antennas. Antennas Direct will also design, at no cost to the station, an antenna web site page for participating station or place a “Purchase” link from their web site to their personal station page, hosted free on Antennas Direct’s website.
By participating in the program, stations offer their viewers an opportunity to upgrade to a better performing, better looking and smaller digital age antenna. In addition, they can increase viewer numbers by convincing satellite and cable subs to consider Off-Air as a backup source for Satellite and Cable outages. In some cases, viewers may find Off-Air a viable alternative to the ever-increasing costs and aggravation of cable and satellite. Antenna sales generated through the station provide commissions to them to help stations recoup some of their investment in the Digital transition.
Please visit Antennas Direct in the South Hall 3, booth L-33 in the ATSC Hot Spot at the NAB show in the Las Vegas Convention Center April 14-17.
AND TV BROADCASTER’S PARTNER PROGRAM
To Include The First In A Series of
Compact Highly Efficient Indoor And Outdoor Antennas, And A National Program To Support Off-Air TV Reception
March 21, 2008, St. Louis, MO – At the NAB trade show next month, Antennas Direct will release preliminary details on a signed partnership with the NAB to develop a new CEA909A compliant Indoor Off-Air Smart Antenna™. They will also introduce several new Off-Air antennas, to include the ClearStream2™, their newest and best long range outdoor antenna. Advanced computer software was used to design this compact (10”x20”) high performance antenna. And they will also exhibit the new Lacrosse® Micron™ DTV antenna, a true breakthrough in indoor design. It is over 90% efficient and all in a very small 10”x10” Radome; it’s rabbit ears on steroids. Also, Antennas Direct will announce a fully supported TV Broadcast Partners Program™.
NAB's FASTROAD (Flexible Advanced Services for Television and Radio On All Devices) technology advocacy program recently awarded a contract to Antennas Direct to develop an indoor Smart Antenna. The Consumer Electronics Association CE-909A Smart Antenna interface standard has laid the groundwork that could make the "antenna reception dance" a welcome distant memory. The interface standard was recently revised, allowing a smart television receiver to communicate with Antennas Direct's Off-Air Smart Antenna over the RF antenna cable to automatically optimize gain and antenna pattern for best reception. "We were impressed with both the expertise and the enthusiasm at Antennas Direct for potentially improving consumer satisfaction with reception of Off-Air TV service," said Lynn Claudy, NAB's Senior Vice President, Science and Technology. "Smart antenna technology can make a huge difference in the overall consumer experience, allowing access to all local television signals without having to spend a lot of time aiming or re-aiming antennas. This technology could be a real game-changer."
The ClearStream2 Off-Air antennas represent a unique breakthrough in size and unmatched ultra efficient design and directionality. Advanced computer aided design software was used in the production of these compact 10”x20” antennas. The ClearStream2 Dual Loop design provides high efficiency and allows more than 90% of the available broadcast signal to actually reach the incoming antenna cable rather than being lost to impedance mismatches.
The Lacrosse Micron Indoor antenna also represents a breakthrough indoor design. It has a maximum gain of 8dBi in only a 10”x10” form and is 98% efficient at 525 MHz. For the 75% or more of Off-Air households having only set-top antennas and pay-TV subscribers looking for an indoor backup, an alternative to cable or satellite or a digital reception solution for second TV sets, the Micron is the answer.
Both antennas were designed specifically for the post 2009 UHF DTV frequencies but also offer nominal reception of high VHF channels.
The FCC recently put out their Order on DTV Education, which requires broadcasters to provide prescribed DTV education elements or to agree to adhere to NAB's voluntary "safe harbor" program. The messages will include information on reception equipment requirements. Antennas Direct’s Broadcast Partners Program™ is an Off-Air antenna marketing program that will aid station viewers in selecting and purchasing the right digital antenna. This antenna selection process is especially helpful in metro/urban areas where viewers may not have a clear line-of-sight to the station’s tower, or in outlying fringe areas.
Each participating station will receive a map of the station’s coverage area, with a graphic overlay of Antennas Direct’s antenna selector, to assist viewers in finding the right antenna for specific locations. A selection of specially priced digital antenna bundles will be sent to participating stations for testing. The bundles will include the new Micron and new ClearStream2 antennas. Antennas Direct will also design, at no cost to the station, an antenna web site page for participating station or place a “Purchase” link from their web site to their personal station page, hosted free on Antennas Direct’s website.
By participating in the program, stations offer their viewers an opportunity to upgrade to a better performing, better looking and smaller digital age antenna. In addition, they can increase viewer numbers by convincing satellite and cable subs to consider Off-Air as a backup source for Satellite and Cable outages. In some cases, viewers may find Off-Air a viable alternative to the ever-increasing costs and aggravation of cable and satellite. Antenna sales generated through the station provide commissions to them to help stations recoup some of their investment in the Digital transition.
Please visit Antennas Direct in the South Hall 3, booth L-33 in the ATSC Hot Spot at the NAB show in the Las Vegas Convention Center April 14-17.
Thanks antennaguy.
I'm actually leaving for the NAB show on Friday and will certainly be on the lookout for new technology that will help the over-the-air home viewer.
This press release is describing the new smart antenna products that are emerging. These devices will make life easier for those using the new DTV converters.
Antennaguy, have you spotted any TV's as yet with a smart antenna port? I've been searching and haven't found any so far.
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I'm actually leaving for the NAB show on Friday and will certainly be on the lookout for new technology that will help the over-the-air home viewer.
This press release is describing the new smart antenna products that are emerging. These devices will make life easier for those using the new DTV converters.
Antennaguy, have you spotted any TV's as yet with a smart antenna port? I've been searching and haven't found any so far.
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