Sep 28 Podcast #550: Solid Signal HD Blade
Every time we publish a story about cutting the cord we get a ton of interest. Whether it be a new online service or a new antenna to be used for pulling in free, over-the-air HD signals, our listeners and readers respond with great feedback. So when we found out about a new indoor antenna called the HD Blade we were excited about putting it through its paces.
| Download this Episode. |
Listen to the show
Today's Show:
Blu-ray Reviews:
News:
- DTS audio now in ATSC updated guidelines
- A&E Programming Pulled From Netflix Streaming Service
- Logitech leaves Squeezebox fans wondering what's next
- NPD: Cable Still Dominating VOD
Other:
- Roku Private Channels not listed in the channel store
- Pros and Cons of Plasma vs LED HDTVs
- Vann's to liquidate
- 'Revolution' sets time-shifting records
Amazon Prime:
Sign up for Amazon Prime and enjoy:
- Free Two Day Shipping!
- Instant Streaming of TV Shows and Movies
- Instant Access to thousands of Kindle Books
- The HT Guys gratitude!
Solid Signal HD Blade
Every time we publish a story about cutting the cord we get a ton of interest. Whether it be a new online service or a new antenna to be used for pulling in free, over-the-air HD signals, our listeners and readers respond with great feedback. So when we found out about a new indoor antenna called the HD Blade (Buy Now $37) we were excited about putting it through its paces.
The HD blade is similar to the Mohu Leaf (read HT Guys review) in shape, both are about the same shape as a mousepad but much much thinner. The HD Blade is a little bigger in size measuring 13 X 11.5 inches.
You may be thinking the same thing we were, “Do we need another paper thin antenna?”. If so, “What makes the HD Blade worth buying?”. Solid Signal, the makers of the HD Blade, claim that it is one of the most powerful indoor antennas and one of the reason is:
The HD Blade has real silver elements embedded between two thin sheets of industrial grade plastic. The design of the elements mimic that of a long range outdoor antenna, but for the first time technology has allowed us to print metal elements on to a sheet.
So we compared it to the leaf. Since the HT Guys live about 70 miles away from the TV towers for Los Angeles our tests we performed in Fresno CA. Ara’s in-laws live 20 miles from the TV towers which is right in the sweet spot of the antenna’s performance range.
Performance
Our HD Blade came with a six foot coax cable. And like the leaf it is important that the cable run towards the ground. Solid Signal includes a quick tips pamphlet that helps with placement and positioning of the antenna. We placed the antenna behind the TV, which limits reception but is acceptable to the aesthetics committee, and then we connected the cable to the TV’s antenna jack and hit scan.
For our performance measure we will compare the number of digital channels picked up by HD Blade, Mohu Leaf and Mohu Leaf Plus. The plus is an amplified version of the Mohu Leaf. We reviewed it on Podcast #528 back in April.
Number of Digital Channels Received:
- Mohu Leaf - 31
- Mohu Leaf Plus - 38
- Solid Signal HD Blade - 42
This is an improvement over both leaf antennas. The HD Blade found a few more than the Leaf Plus but it was very close. There may have been other factors involved since these tests were not performed at the same time. Bottom line is we can say that the blade performs as good if not better than the Mohu Leaf Plus at a lower price. Plus the HD Blade does not need amplification so its easier to install.
Conclusion
There are a few options out there to pull in HD signals over the air, and if you live less than 30 miles from the towers its never been easier to do so. The HD Blade from Solid Signal works well and at less than $40 is no brainer for those who wish to cut the cord or simply want a good backup for when the cable goes out.
Reader Comments (2)
I thought you should know that the squeezebox is not going away, it is just being replaced by a newer model called the Logitech UE Smart Radio.
Logitech posted at http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Squeezebox-Players/Logitech-UE-Smart-Radio/td-p/884530 that sometime in the future they will release an update for squeezebox users that will allow Squeezebox Radios to upgrade to the new Logitech UE Smart Radio experience.
Also there is an open letter to squeezebox owners at http://blog.logitech.com/2012/09/28/an-open-letter-to-squeezebox-fans/
Also here is the list of apps for the UE Smart Radio - http://ue.logitech.com/en-us/articles/smart-radio-services
There are 24 apps on the smart radio and 30 on the squeezebox radio
So basically I will be keeping my squeezebox and update it to the new software when I really have too. One more thing that is different from the squeezebox compared to the UE Smart Radio is the UE Smart Radio comes with a battery I think while the squeezebox did not.
Tom
FYI. Buying direct from Solid Signal is significantly cheaper than Amazon. About 20% less!