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Virtual Press Office
16¡± Square Antenna Saves Biggest Part of DTV/HDTV Market from Digital Blackout
Remember the analog days when a little ghosting was sometimes tolerated. Well, with the dawn of digital TV broadcast signals, you either get it or you don¡¯t, there¡¯s no almost perfect digital picture. And the transition to digital TV cometh for everyone.
73 million TV sets in the US don¡¯t get their signals from cable or satellite, 45 million of which are in homes that rely exclusively on local, 'over-the-air' stations as their sole source of television. And let¡¯s not forget that Free HD is here, now, for those that can ¡°Get It¡±. The CEA has projected that 8 million Digital TV products will be sold in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006. 84.69% of the U.S. TV households are in markets with five or more DTV stations. 1491 stations in 211 markets have made the transition to broadcasting a digital signal and are now delivering in Digital serving 99.99% of the current US 4 million HDTV households, which are up from 1.6 million in March 2004.
The right Off-Air DTV/HDTV antenna for DTV/HDTV reception is now a Necessity, not an Accessory. Off-Air antennas offer consumers the best way to receive local broadcaster's Digital TV signals free.
The single largest contributing factor to successful outdoor digital antenna Off-Air DTV/HDTV reception today is the ability of metropolitan/suburban consumers, the largest segment of this market, to buy and install an antenna that deals with multipath or reflected signal. This necessity arises where line-of-sight to the transmit source is blocked and the only signal they can receive comes from a bounced signal, such as off a building. This is critical for downtown urban locations for viewers living on the wrong side of a high-rise with respect to the transmit tower. This bouncing is known in RF terms as multipath. This is a huge issue and significant challenge for digital antenna manufactures and professional installers.
Multipath is the result of several different broadcast signals reaching the antenna out-of-phase with each other or at differing time intervals. This creates a digital multipath condition that can confuse proper decoding. If the amount of multi-path is too high, the ATSC chipset will not decode any data at all. And unlike analog television, if the signal strength is too low because of the interference caused by reflected signals preventing a receiver from getting enough digital information from the primary signal, the decoder experiences the cliff effect. Either way, the result is total loss of the digital picture.
Winegard anticipated it was imperative that any new digital antenna platform design specifically deal with this reflected signal or multi-path issue and addressed this last year when it introduced it¡¯s SquareShooter SS-1000 outdoor antenna system. It¡¯s all about getting the best picture and getting the best Off-Air picture starts with the choice of the best antenna for today¡¯s reception challenges.
The SquareShooter SS-1000 and SS-2000 solve multipath problems no other antennas can solve, making them the answer to the metropolitan/suburban market¡¯s need for a DTV/HDTV antenna system.
Their beam widths, VSWRs and front-to-back ratios provide the SquareShooter Series its muscle to reject multipath signals and the ability to tune into the desired reflected signal for the best reception characteristics to now receive digital broadcasts.
The performance of the SquareShooter is pretty amazing for an antenna that is only 16 inches square, solves reception problems no other antenna can solve, can be painted to match the house and can be mounted practically anywhere. There is a huge need in this market for an outdoor antenna that successfully addresses these issues. The SquareShooter Series of outdoor HDTV Antenna Systems is the only digital antenna platform on the market today that can do it.
As evidence of this, the introduction of the SquareShooter SS-1000 was the only time in the 50-year history of the Winegard Company that a product was pre-sold before it was available and won an Innovations Award at CES 2004; the SquareShooter SS-2000 is the second. The Square Shooter has now become Winegard¡¯s best selling Off-Air antenna. This is a true testament to the need and acceptance of these unique and innovative new antenna platform designs.
Winegard SquareShooterTM Fact Sheet
The HDTV SquareShooter Story:
- With the dawn of digital TV broadcast signals, you either get it or you don¡¯t, there¡¯s no almost perfect digital picture
- And the transition to digital TV cometh for everyone
- 73 million TV sets in the US don¡¯t get their signals from cable or satellite
- 45 million of which are in homes that rely exclusively on local, 'over-the-air' stations as their sole source of television
- Free HD is here, now, for those that can ¡°Get It¡±.
- The CEA has projected that
- 8 million Digital TV products will be sold in 2005
- 10.5 million in 2006.
- 84.69% of the U.S. TV households are in markets with five or more DTV stations now
- 1491 stations in 211 markets have made the transition to broadcasting a digital signal
- Delivering Digital signals serving 99.99% of the current US 4 million HDTV households, up from 1.6 million in March 2004.
- Off-Air Antennas are the best way to receive local broadcaster's Digital TV signal
- People need to install a separate antenna for HDTV reception.
- The only current way to receive true HDTV resolution (1080i) is with an Off-Air antenna or satellite broadcast signals and HDTV satellite is not free.
- The majority of the new antennas today are directed at the metropolitan/suburban market.
- The fastest growing sector is in the Off-Air reception of HDTV broadcasts
- The number of digital stations is rising
- The amount of HDTV program doubling since last year
- HDTV set sales soaring
- Selecting the right Off-Air DTV/HDTV Antenna is now a Necessity, not an Accessory
- The single largest contributing factor to successful outdoor digital antenna Off-Air DTV/HDTV reception today is
- The ability of these metropolitan/suburban consumers to buy and install an antenna that deals with multipath or reflected signal
- Where line-of-sight to the transmit source is blocked
- The only signal they can receive is a bounced signal, such as off a building
Why The SquareShooter Is Important:
- Multipath is the result of several different broadcast signals reaching the antenna out-of-phase with each other or at differing time intervals
- This creates a digital multipath condition
- Delivering out-of-phase signals
- Which confuse proper decoding
- Winegard anticipated it was imperative that any new digital antenna platform design
- Specifically deal with this reflected signal or multi-path issue
- Addressed this last year with its new SS-1000 outdoor antenna system.
- To GETOff-Air HDTM reception
- Buy the right antenna
- Properly install the right Off-Air DTV/HDTV antenna.
- So Winegard said GET2TM.
What Makes The SquareShooter So Unique:
- Only 16 inches square, it was specifically designed
- To receive and resonate VHF and UHF transmissions from reflected broadcast signals up to 50 miles away from the signal source
- By allowing pointing at another reflective source such as a building
- To capture the reflected signals
- While rejecting all other multi-path signals
- And still be able to resonate quality DTV/HDTV signals.
- Incorporated in its design are both Russian and US Military technologies
- From the US military, the SquareShooter uses the sinuous element design similar to those found in missile guidance control systems
- From Russia, scatter plain technology
- That rejects these reflected, out-of-phase signals
- Prevents them from arriving at the back of the antenna element
- The SquareShooter antenna platform has
- A 65 degree average beam-width to receive multiple broadcast signals
- Coupled with a very minimal reflected signal called VSWR of 1 to 1.3
- A very high 20-to-1 front to back ?digital multipath rejection ratio
- Its beam width, VSWR and front-to-back ratio provides the SquareShooter
- Its muscle to reject multipath signal
- The ability to tune into the desired reflected signal for the best reception
- Because of its size and versatile installation options
- It can be mounted practically anywhere
- Walls
- Fascias
- Roofs,
- Patios
- Attics
- Railings.
- Piggybacked on existing satellite dishes
- Diplexed with the existing satellite system
- To incorporate the Off-Air and satellite signal onto the existing one cable run.
Why Winegard is at the Heart of this Vital Story:
- The SquareShooter SS-1000
- Quickly became Winegard¡¯s best selling antenna
- Because it solved problems no other antenna could solve
- Most DTV/HDTV antennas returned to retailers are
- Either the wrong antenna for the location or
- Are in perfect working order and returned because of faulty installation techniques
- Winegard introduced its ¡°new and improved¡± SS-2000 Amplified Antenna
- The SS-2000 is a more powerful amplified version of the SS-1000
- Equipped with Winegard's new digital preamp
- Extending the SS-2000¡¯s range up to 40 or 50 miles away from the transmit source.
- Pretty amazing
- For an antenna that is only 16 inches square
- Solves reception problems no other antenna can solve
- Enclosed in a weather-protective housing
- Can be painted to match the house
- Can be mounted practically anywhere
- Will outperform all but the largest high-band VHF/UHF directional antennas systems on the market today
- The challenge for Winegard was
- To design and produce a high quality antenna with
- Outstanding demonstrable performance
- Contemporary styling
- Do it at a wholesale price point
- Allow dealers to price the antenna at an attractive retail price point
- At the upper end of the scale
- Allowing for a very attractive margin
- Who are informed and interested in maximizing the performance of their HDTV components
- Price will not be their first consideration.
Winegard SquareShooterTM Backgrounder
Remember the analog days when a little ghosting was sometimes tolerated. Some TV viewers still watch it snow in July. Well, with the dawn of digital TV broadcast signals, you either get it or you don¡¯t, there¡¯s no almost perfect digital picture. And the transition to digital TV cometh for everyone.
73 million TV sets in the US don¡¯t get their signals from cable or satellite, 45 million of which are in homes that rely exclusively on local, 'over-the-air' stations as their sole source of television. And let¡¯s not forget that Free HD is here, now, for those that can ¡°Get It¡±. The CEA has projected that 8 million Digital TV products will be sold in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006. 84.69% of the U.S. TV households are in markets with five or more DTV stations now. 1491 stations in 211 markets have made the transition to broadcasting a digital signal and are now delivering Digital signals serving 99.99% of the current US 4 million HDTV households, which are up from 1.6 million in March 2004.
Whether it's set-top or outdoor mounted, antennas offer consumers the best way to receive local broadcaster's Digital TV signal over-the-air. As many people have found out, they can't just bring home an HDTV set and use their old antenna system; they need to install a separate antenna for HDTV reception. The only current way to receive true HDTV resolution (1080i) is with an Off-Air antenna or satellite broadcast signals and HDTV satellite is not free. Satellite and even cable customers want the opportunity to receive free Off-Air DTV/HDTV signals. The Federal Communications Commission guarantees DTV consumers the right to install a TV antenna, even if local zoning codes or "Condo Associations" forbid it.
By far, the majority of the new antenna market today is directed at the metropolitan/suburban market. And the fastest growing sector of the market is in the Off-Air reception of HDTV broadcasts. With the number of digital stations rising, the amount of HDTV program doubling since last year and HDTV set sales soaring, Digital TV is fast becoming a necessity for high tech home theaters. The vast majority of these HDTV unit sales will be to these markets.
And selecting the right Off-Air DTV/HDTV Antenna is now a Necessity, not an Accessory.
The single largest contributing factor to successful outdoor digital antenna Off-Air DTV/HDTV reception today is the ability of these metropolitan/suburban consumers to buy and install an antenna that deals with multipath or reflected signal, where line-of-sight to the transmit source is blocked and the only signal they can receive is a bounced signal, such as off a building. This is critical for downtown urban locations for viewers living on the wrong side of a high-rise with respect to the transmit tower. This bouncing is known in RF terms as multipath. This is a huge issue and significant challenge for digital antenna manufacturers, professional installers and the 45 million potential Off-Air DTV/HDTV customers.
Multipath is the result of several different broadcast signals reaching the antenna out-of-phase with each other or at differing time intervals. This creates a digital multipath condition that delivers several sets of digital data 1¡¯s and 0¡¯s to the ATSC chipset out-of-phase and can confuse proper decoding. The ATSC chipset is not sure which set of digital data is the correct data bits to decode. If the amount of multi-path is too high, the ATSC chipset will not decode any data at all. Unlike analog television, the interference caused by reflected signals can prevent a receiver from getting enough digital information from the primary signal, causing a cliff effect and total loss of the picture.
Winegard anticipated it was imperative that any new digital antenna platform design specifically deal with this reflected signal or multi-path issue and addressed this last year when it introduced it¡¯s SquareShooter? SS-1000 outdoor antenna system.
To GETOff-Air HDTM reception, HDTV customers need to buy and properly install the right Off-Air DTV/HDTV antenna. So Winegard said GET2TM.
Normal RF propagation theorem dictates that the full length diameter of an off-air antenna for channel 7 VHF at 175 Megahertz is 64 inches. Although only 16 inches square, the SquareShooter Series was specifically designed to receive and resonate VHF and UHF transmissions from reflected broadcast signals up to 50 miles away from the signal source by allowing the antenna to be pointed at another reflective source such as a building to capture the reflected signals while rejecting all other multi-path signals and still be able to resonate quality DTV/HDTV signals.
Incorporated in its design are both Russian and US Military technologies. From the US military, the SquareShooter uses the sinuous element design similar to those found in missile guidance control systems and from Russia, scatter plain technology that rejects these reflected, out-of-phase signals and prevents them from arriving at the back of the antenna element.
The SquareShooter antenna platform has a 65 degree average beam-width to receive broadcast signals from multiple transmitter locations, coupled with a very minimal reflected signal called VSWR of 1 to 1.3. The most desirable VSWR should be as close to 1:1 as possible, which implies a perfect match between all elements of the antenna system.
It was also specifically designed with a very high 20-to-1 front to back ?digital multipath rejection ratio meaning its gain in a specific direction is very high. And higher is better. The SquareShooter¡¯s front-to-back ratio, being very high, allows the reception of both horizontal and circular polarity HDTV broadcast signals.
Its beam width, VSWR and front-to-back ratio provides the SquareShooter its muscle to reject multipath signal and the ability to tune into the desired reflected signal for the best reception characteristics to receive digital broadcasts.
These facts were proven in both Winegard¡¯s Chicago, IL and Tampa, FL beta tests. Phillip Partian, Senior Vice President, Dow Electronics participated in the Beta field testing for the SquareShooter in Tampa, along with Steve Zahn, a respected TV reception professional in the Chicago area, both proving the exceptional reception characteristics of this new line of antennas.
The SquareShooter SS-1000 quickly became Winegard¡¯s best selling antenna, because it solved problems no other antennas could solve. As evidence of its unique design, the SS-1000 was selected as an Honoree in the 2004 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase.
The right DTV/HDTV antenna, considering the role reflected signal plays in dealing with multipath, is not an option, it is now a requirement. Most of the DTV/HDTV antennas returned to retailers are either the wrong antenna for the location or are in perfect working order and returned because of faulty installation techniques. This means there is a huge need to educate consumers and sales personnel about receiving Off-Air Digital and HDTV signals. You can help.
The FCC took a giant step in this direction, when it held a televised press conference moderated by FCC Chairman Powell in October of 2004 to explain its ¡°DTV Get It¡± educational initiative. Powell unveiled a new web portal to serve as a one-stop source of information on the DTV transition and available high-definition programming. The only HDTV antenna shown at this press conference was Winegard¡¯s SquareShooter.
At CES 2005, Winegard introduced its ¡°new and improved¡± SquareShooter SS-2000 Amplified Antenna Platform, the next innovation in Winegard¡¯s GETDTV/HDTv TM Series of Digital Antenna Platforms. The SS-2000 is a more powerful amplified version of the SS-1000. This newest outdoor High-Band VHF/UHF Digital/Analog/HDTV Antenna System from Winegard, is now equipped with Winegard's new digital preamp, extending the SquareShooter SS-2000¡¯s range up to 40 or 50 miles away from the transmit source. This is pretty amazing for an antenna that is only 16 inches square, solves reception problems no other antenna can solve, can be painted to match the house and can be mounted practically anywhere.
The amplified SS-2000 has an input level of 350,000 mV and 12 dB flat gain across the entire bandpass specifically designed to assist the ATSC chipset with the correct digital decoding of digital broadcast transmissions. Because it utilizes non-traditional electromagnetic antenna design for superior performance, it will outperform all but the largest high-band VHF/UHF directional antennas systems on the market today.
As evidence of their unique design features, in March of 2005, Winegard Company, holder of over 60 patents over the years, took an important step in protecting these new products and technologies. The formal examination is officially over for the SquareShooter and Winegard now awaits issuance of the US patent this summer. The patent will cover both the SquareShooter SS-1000 and the SS-2000.
TERK Technologies launched a new comprehensive initiative to support the growing HDTV market in July of 2003 and selected Winegard to build 3 HDTV antennas for TERK. In order to quickly penetrate Best Buy, the following year, Winegard made the decision to supply TERK with the SquareShooter SS-1000, while still marketing it as the SquareShooter through Winegard¡¯s traditional distributor outlets. In November of 2004, TERK started shipping this new antenna, branded as the TERK HDTVs antenna.
The unique appearance of the SquareShooter and the fact that it is enclosed in a weather-protective housing that can be painted to compliment the color of a home, make it a must in today¡¯s urban/metropolitan antenna market and ideally suited to comply with architecturally sensitive neighborhood and covenant restrictions.
Because of its size and versatile installation options, it can be mounted practically anywhere for the best DTV reception such as on walls, fascias, roofs, patios, attics, or railings. With the addition of Winegard¡¯s DS-1000 pole mount, meeting DIRECTVa and DISHa Network wind load requirements, the SquareShooter, can be mounted above the satellite dish. To save the time and expense of running a second coax cable, the SquareShooter can also be diplexed with the existing satellite system to incorporate the Off-Air and satellite signal onto the existing one cable run. The mounting assembly uses familiar DBS satellite antenna hardware and will be easily accepted by DBS satellite antenna installers.
By far, the majority of the antenna market is serviced by discount retailers. Consumers, to date, who purchase consumer electronics from these retailers, have not been looking for high quality and performance from their antennas, but this is changing. The SquareShooter will be a more expensive antenna and it should be. This will not be a problem, because, contrary to TV component prices, retail prices for antennas are steadily going up and HDTV antenna customers will be more than willing to pay for quality, performance and distinctive styling to complement the new HDTV systems.
The challenge for Winegard was to design and produce a high quality antenna, with outstanding demonstrable performance and contemporary styling and do it at a wholesale price point which would allow dealers to price the antenna at an attractive retail price point at the upper end of the scale allowing for a very attractive margin.? To those consumers who are informed and interested in maximizing the performance of their HDTV components, price will not be their first consideration.
There is a huge need in this market for an outdoor antenna that successfully addresses all these issues. The SquareShooter Series of outdoor HDTV Antenna Systems is the only digital antenna platform on the market today that can do it. As evidence of this, the introduction of the SquareShooter SS-1000 was the only time in the 50-year history of the Winegard Company that a product was pre-sold before it was available; the SquareShooter SS-2000 is the second. This is a true testament to the need and acceptance of these unique and innovative new antenna platform designs.
Contact: Michael Sherman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel. 319-754-0604
Cell Phone: 901-351-9861
Email: msher@winegard.com
Winegard company,
holder of 60 patents over the Years,
awaits issuance of another us patent
for its BEST Selling OFF-AIR ANTENNA,
THE SquareShooter
The United States Patent Office Has Approved The Applied Technology
For This Outdoor High-Band VHF/UHF Digital/Analog/HDTV Antenna System
And Issued a NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE
Burlington, Iowa, March 3, 2005 - Winegard Company announced today that an important step in protecting its new products and technologies has occurred in the patent process for the SquareShooter SS-1000 and SS-2000 series of digital Antenna Platforms. Bob Howell, Director, Distribution Systems/Off-Air Antenna Business Group for the Winegard Company said, ¡°The formal examination is officially over for the SquareShooter and we expect issuance of the US patent this summer. The application is on its way the US patent office to be assigned a date of issuance, so we¡¯re well on our way to getting the patent issued.¡±
The patent will cover both the SquareShooter SS-1000, selected as an Honoree in the 2004 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase and the SS-2000, a more powerful version equipped with the new Winegard digital preamp, extending the SquareShooter range up to 40 or 50 miles away from the transmit source.
Howell continued, ¡°The right Off-Air DTV/HDTV Antenna is now a Necessity, not an Accessory. Getting the best Off-Air picture starts with the choice of the best antenna for today¡¯s reception challenges. The single largest contributing factor to successful digital antenna installation and DTV/HDTV reception today still remains the ability of the metropolitan/suburban consumer to buy an antenna that deals with multi-path or reflected signal. This is a huge issue and significant challenge for digital antenna manufactures and professional installers.¡±
The SquareShooter antenna platforms were specifically designed for digital reception of these reflected signals. Its primary market is in metropolitan/suburban locations where line-of-sight to the transmit tower is blocked and the only signal they can receive comes from a bounced signal, such as off a building.
With the addition of the new digital preamp to the SS-2000, the SquareShooter now delivers even more reception power to the very important metropolitan/urban market. This is the biggest segment of the HDTV market and was not currently being served well by existing digital antennas until the release of the SquareShooter SS-1000 last year.
Howell continued, ¡°Although only 16 inches square, The SquareShooter Series was specifically designed to receive and resonate VHF and UHF transmissions from reflected broadcast signals by allowing the antenna to be pointed at another reflective source to capture the reflected signals and still be able to resonate quality DTV/HDTV signals.¡±
There is a huge need in this market for an outdoor antenna that successfully addresses these issues. The SquareShooter Series of outdoor High-Band VHF/UHF Digital/Analog/HDTV Antenna System are the only digital antenna platforms on the market today that can do it. As evidence of this, the introduction of the SquareShooter SS-1000 was the only time in the 50-year history of the Winegard Company that a product was pre-sold before it was available; the SquareShooter SS-2000 is the second. This is a true testament to the need and acceptance of these unique and innovative new antenna platform designs.
###
If you¡¯d like more information about this topic, link to a SquareShooter flash file with specs, pictures, video and text testimonials on field testing and more. To schedule an interview with Bob Howell, please call Michael Sherman at 319-754-0604, send an email to msher@winegard.com or visit www.winegard.com.
About Winegard Company
Winegard Company is widely considered an innovator and pioneer in product design, performance and assembly and has consistently adapted to meet the challenges of the ever-changing electronics market. It remains committed to continuous improvement in the quality, cost and delivery of its products and services to effectively meet all of its customer¡¯s needs and currently designs and manufactures more than 1,000 different products in four product lines distributed in all states and worldwide, including:
- Satellite Antennas and Mounts: Residential antennas ranging in size from 46 cm to 1 meter.
- Mobile Television Reception Products: RV, Trucking, and Marine applications. Satellite systems ranging from manual crank-up models to automatic satellite tracking systems with GPS/DVB. Off-air antennas including bi-directional and omni-directional VHF/UHF/FM antennas. Ground Antenna Mounts and Accessories.
- Off-Air Antennas: From DC to 5.8 gigs AM/FM/VHF/UHF Antenna Systems, Distribution and Pre-Amplifiers, Power Supplies and Accessories.
- Telemetry: Medical and Data Antenna Systems, Distribution Amplifiers, Power Supplies and Accessories.
- Two-way Fixed/Transportable Mobile Satellite Internet Systems: offers real-time IP, video, voice, audio and data communications virtually anywhere, anytime.
Contact: Michael Sherman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel. 319-754-0604
Cell Phone: 901-351-9861
Email: msher@winegard.com
Winegard Company WINS CES INNOVATIONS AWARD FOR THE SquareShooter SS-1000 HIGH-BAND VHF/UHF DIGITAL/ANALOG/HDTV ANTENNA SYSTEM
IN THE 2004 DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SHOWCASE
The SquareShooter Will Be Introduced To The Registered Press
First At A Press Conference On Wednesday From 10:00-11:00 AM, Room S227
And Then At Winegard¡¯s Booth # 17304
In The Lower Hall Of The South Wing During The Show.
Burlington, Iowa, December 22, 2003. Winegard Company will introduce its newest High-Band VHF/UHF Digital/Analog/HDTV Antenna System at the CES 2004 show in January. Bob Howell, Director of Distribution Systems/Off-Air Antenna Division said ¡°The SquareShooter is a true technology and engineering marvel and the answer to the ultimate in Urban/Metropolitan HDTV Antenna Systems. The SquareShooter will be recognized quickly as a technological breakthrough, because it utilizes non-traditional electromagnetic antenna design for superior performance and, at the same time, provides that new contemporary ¡°look and feel¡± desired by DTV/HDTV consumers. It will outperform all but the largest high-band VHF/UHF directional antennas systems on the market today.¡±
The SquareShooter solves problems no other antenna can solve. By far, the majority of the new antenna market today is directed at the Urban/Metropolitan locale. And the fastest growing sector of the market is in the Off-Air reception of HDTV broadcasts. The vast majority of these HDTV unit sales will be to these markets. The only current way to receive true HDTV resolution (1080i) is with an Off-Air antenna or satellite broadcast signals.
Bob Howell said ¡°The reasons we contend that Winegard¡¯s SquareShooter represents a true technological break-through are found in the following 2 very important facts:
- Normal RF propagation theorem dictates that the full wave length diameter of an off-air antenna for channel 7 VHF at 175 Megahertz is 64 inches. The fact that we have a 15 inch square antenna design that can receive and modulate analog and DTV/HDTV signal 50 miles away from the signal source using a 15 inch element is an engineering marvel.
- The antenna was specifically designed with a very high 20-to-1 front to back ratio that also accommodates the reception and modulation of both analog and DTV/HDTV reflected signals. This is critical for downtown urban locations where we might find, for example, viewers living on the wrong side of a 20th floor downtown high-rise with respect to the transmit tower of the TV station they want to receive. This antenna was specifically designed to allow pointing of the antenna at another building to zero-in on the desired reflected signal, reject all other multi-path signals and still be able to modulate analog and DTV/HDTV. This fact was proven in both our Chicago, IL and Tampa, FL beta tests.¡±
Specifically designed to receive and demodulate DTV/HDTV transmissions from reflected broadcast signals, the SquareShooter is uniquely suited for urban/metropolitan locations where line-of-sight to the transmit source is blocked. This 15" square antenna can receive and demodulate clear analog broadcast signals up to 45 miles and outstanding DTV/HDTV signals over 50 miles from the transmit source and is ideal for the suburban market.
Because of its size and versatile installation options, it can be mounted practically anywhere for the best DTV/HDTV reception such as on wall, fascias, roofs, patios, attics, or railings. With the addition of our DS-1000 pole mount which meets DirecTV and Dish Network's wind load requirements, the SquareShooter, when mounted above a satellite dish and diplexed with the satellite system, will incorporate satellite and Off-Air signal onto one coax cable.
Phillip Partian, Senior Vice President, Dow Electronics who asked to participate in the Beta field testing at CES 2003 had this to say about the SquareShooterTM ¡°I¡¯ve been around this industry for 33 years. I¡¯ve seen and tested a lot of antennas. That¡¯s afforded me a lot of practical experience with Off-Air antennas. I¡¯ve conducted 50-60 seminars on Off-Air antennas over the past 5 years. And I¡¯ve never seen an antenna like this antenna¡±
We¡¯ve got our own antenna testing farm out back with over a dozen antennas in it. They¡¯re mounted 25 to 30 feet high above our roof line to maximize their performance. Any height less than that, we get ghosting and multi-path from the test. We know we need that 25 foot height to get the signal. The signals that we get during these tests are naturally the most powerful channels, ABC, NBC, and CBS. And naturally the low and high range signals would come in fairly well, but we would still get some ghosting. Even using the Winegard WS-5646 or Channel Master 5646 Super V, we got ghosting.
We put the SquareShooter up on a 15 feet pole behind our building in the middle of our parking lot in an area that we knew from past experience we would get ghosting, because Bob Howell told me this unit had the ability to eliminate some ghosting, even at this lower height. We put it up, attached an amplifier, hooked it up to a TV set and the picture was absolutely phenomenal.
We compared testing with the Channel Master four bay bow tie and the SquareShooter outperformed it. I was amazed.
We tuned in on some Sarasota channels. Channel 40 in Sarasota is about 40 miles from were we¡¯re located in Tampa and the SquareShooter brought it in. I¡¯ve tested other antennas on Sarasota stations the size of our WS-0038 (Winegard special) and would just barely receive channel 40. Most people would say that it was not possible to pick up Channel 40 from Tampa with a traditional element antenna, even with one that large, let alone a small 15 inch square antenna, but I saw it with my own eyes. Not only did it pick up the signal, but it eliminated all ghosting. I was flabbergasted.
Another truly unique benefit of this antenna is its front-to-back ratio performance. It was smart of Winegard to incorporate in the design of the SquareShooter its ability to reject ghosting, particularly because that feature allows it to pick up ghost-free bounced signals. From our location, almost all of the transmit towers are due south, as is channel 40 in Sarasota. We pointed this antenna south and still picked up Channel 10 here in Tampa exceptionally well which was behind our building to the northeast and to the rear of the SquareShooter and Channel 32 which was behind us to the northwest. That ability to bring in that bounced signal, eliminating the ghosting, and deliver a clear signal, is truly exceptional.
We checked it from several other locations and it performed the same way in each of those locals. One place was exceptionally close to the towers and it did a terrific job. This was a good test because we have checked so many other antennas in the past and had their very poor results to compare with the SquareShooter.
Price is not a concern for me with the SquareShooter, because it does the job it¡¯s supposed to do. It solves problems no other antenna can solve. We will be able to go into metropolitan areas where we now have a real ghosting problem, particularly for the reception of HDTV signals, were we have multi-path or co-channel interference concerns. The SquareShooter antenna will be a ¡°Drop-dead¡± antenna for that market place and also for some analog channels that we have had some problems with in some metropolitan areas where we are not going to see local satellite availability.
The antenna offers extremely versatile mounting options and can be mounted practically anywhere. One of the best and fastest mounting options is over a satellite dish using the DS-1000 allowing for a 360 degree rotation to aim it at the transmitting towers and not need any more room than is already used for a 20 inch satellite dish.
It¡¯s the antenna winner we¡¯re looking for. It will sell itself once distributors see what it¡¯s capable of doing. We¡¯re very much looking forward to it.¡±
##
If you¡¯d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Robert Howell please call Michael Sherman at 319-754-0604 or send an email to msher@winegard.com
GETA TESTMONIAL
Philip Partain
Vice President Sales
Dow Electronics
Tampa Fla.
Streaming Video Testimonial
http://easylink.playstream.com/winegard/progressive/partain.mov
I¡¯ve been around this industry for 33 years. I¡¯ve seen and tested a lot of antennas. That¡¯s afforded me a lot of practical experience with off-air antennas. I¡¯ve conducted 50-60 seminars on off-air antennas over the past 5 years. And I¡¯ve never seen an antenna like this antenna.
We¡¯ve got our own antenna testing farm out back with over a dozen antennas in it. They¡¯re mounted 25 to 30 feet high to maximize their performance. Any height less than that, we get ghosting and multi-path from the test. We know we need that 25 foot height to get the signal. The signals that we get during these teats are naturally the most powerful channels, ABC, NBC, and CBS. And naturally the low and high range signals would come in fairly will, but we would still get some ghosting. Even using the WS-5646 or Channel Master 5646 Super V, we got ghosting.
We put the Square shooter up on a 15 feet pole in the middle of our parking lot in an area that we knew from past experience we would get ghosting, because Bob Howell told me this unit had the ability to eliminate some ghosting, even at this lower height. We put it up, attached an amplifier, hooked it up to a TV set and the picture was absolutely phenomenal.
We tested with the Channel Master Batwing, the square shooter outperformed it. It outperformed 4 bay bow ties. I was amazed.
We tuned in on some Sarasota channels. Channel 40 in Sarasota is about 40 miles from were we¡¯re located in Tampa and the Square Shooter brought it in. I¡¯ve tested other antennas on Sarasota stations the size of your WS-0038 (Winegard special) and would just barely receive channel 40. Most people would say that it was not possible to pick up Channel 40 from Tampa with a traditional element antenna, even with one that large, let alone a small 15 inch square antenna, but I saw it with my own eyes. Not only did it pick up the signal, but it eliminated all ghosting. I was flabbergasted.
Another truly unique benefit of this antenna is its back-to-front ratio performance. It was smart of Winegard to incorporate in the design of the Square Shooter its ability to reject ghosting, particularly because that feature allows it to pick up ghost-free bounced signals. From our location, almost all of the transmit towers are due south, as is channel 40 in Sarasota. We pointed this antenna south and still picked up Channel 10 here in Tampa exceptionally well which was behind the Square Shooter to the northeast and Channel 32 which was behind us to the northwest. That ability to bring in that bounced signal, eliminating the ghosting, and deliver a clear signal, is exceptional.
We checked it from several other locations and it performed the same way in each of those places. One place was exceptionally close to the towers and it did a terrific job. This was a good test because we have checked so many other antennas in the past and had their results to compare with the Square Shooter.
Price is not a concern for me with the Square Shooter, because it does the job it¡¯s supposed to do. It solves problems no other antenna can solve. We will be able to go into metropolitan areas where we now have a real ghosting problem, particularly for the reception of HDTV signals, were we still have concerns. The Square Shooter antenna will be a ¡°Drop-dead¡± antenna for that market place and also for some analog channels that we have had some problems with in some metropolitan areas where we are not going to see local satellite availability.
The antenna offers extremely versatile mounting options and can be mounted practically anywhere. One of the best and fastest mounting options is over a satellite dish using the DS-1111 allowing for a 360 degree rotation to aim it at the transmitting towers and not need any more room than that already used for a 20 inch satellite dish.
It¡¯s the antenna winner we¡¯re looking for.
It will sell itself once distributors see what it¡¯s capable of doing.
We¡¯re very much looking forward to it.
GETTESTED
SquareShooter Beta Tests
Streaming Video Testimonial Beta Test
http://easylink.playstream.com/winegard/progressive/Zahn.rm
Steve Zahn, a respected television reception professional in the Chicago area, conducted our Beta Field Test on the SquareShooter. He was provided sample Proto-type antennas and pre-amplifiers in December 2002 and asked to conduct objective performance and installation testing on numerous locations 2 to 70 miles away from transmit towers, throughout the Chicago area.? His conclusions were as follows:¡±
Beta Field Test Conclusion Paragraph:
The SquareShooter antenna will find a niche among television reception products, especially among new products for receiving digital television signals. The SquareShooter antenna represents an entirely new design format in consumer television antennas that is likely to receive considerable attention. The unique appearance of the SquareShooter will find acceptance within the new generation of architectural restrictions that have eliminated traditional television antenna installations from many residential settings.
The SquareShooter compares well with performance from physically larger UHF antennas in the Winegard product line as the Winegard HD-9065P. A year ago, tests were conducted proving the HD9065P, HD9085P and HD9095 outperformed all competitive consumer UHF antennas. Perhaps it is safe to claim the SquareShooter will outperform all but the largest competitive UHF antennas. This will give the SquareShooter a definite market edge over competitive products.
The SquareShooter is easy to install. Unlike traditional antenna designs that require the installer to fold out antenna elements, the SquareShooter is enclosed in a weather-protective enclosure and requires no assembly. This feature increases the success of the antenna installation among non-technical consumers. The SquareShooter mounting assembly uses familiar DBS satellite antenna hardware and consumers with simple hand tools will install the antenna in less than 30 minutes.
The professional television service technician will also find many applications for the SquareShooter antenna. For most service technicians working in architecturally sensitive neighborhoods, installing television antennas in attics is often unsuccessful with digital television reception and disappointing for HDTV customers. The SquareShooter offers a wall mount solution to digital television reception problems and in this configuration the SquareShooter will enjoy a level of acceptance found with DBS satellite antenna installations.
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