Text Dave First

Text Dave First Home technology installation, repairs, and upgrades, including home theaters, home networking, alarms and cameras, Control4 systems, pools and hot tubs, etc.

I'm a technology contractor in Richfield Ohio. I help people install, repair, or upgrade any tech items to make life more fun. Some of my favorites are home theaters, surround sound, home networking, intelligent sprinkler systems, smart home, and voice control... to name just a few. I'll also be documenting the projects I'm working on at my own house, so you can see what kind of a mess I get mysel

f into. 😂

Some of my links may be affiliate links, so if you choose to click on them, I might make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Over The Air Antenna! Part 3Streaming Box Connection HD HomerunThis was the easiest part of the project! The HDHomerun...
11/04/2022

Over The Air Antenna! Part 3
Streaming Box Connection
HD Homerun

This was the easiest part of the project! The HDHomerun box arrived today and I just hooked it up this evening.

The box itself is smaller than I thought it would be. It’s about the size of your palm.

Connecting it is easy. Screw the coaxial cable from your antenna into it. Plug it into your home network (hardwire only, no Wi-Fi connection) and then plug in the power.

Next, download the app, HDHomerun. It will automatically find the box on your network. It prompted me to update the firmware, which was only a minute or two.

When it finished, live over the air, local TV was playing on my phone.

Game 5 of the World Series is on Fox tonight and it looks fantastic!

The only downside I’ve encountered so far is the on-screen interface could be easier to use. I’m not to worried about it since I’m not using this as my primary TV, just looking local sports.

Problem solved! Local sports in 4k for less than $300.

Here are links to the main parts for this project:

Over The Air Antenna
https://amzn.to/3s3uLYs

HD HomeRun box
https://amzn.to/3CzuiSy

Over The Air Antenna! Part 2Antenna InstallationThere was a break in the weather which was a perfect opportunity to put...
10/25/2022

Over The Air Antenna! Part 2
Antenna Installation

There was a break in the weather which was a perfect opportunity to put this guy together and get it mounted up on the roof.

Assembly was straightforward, but I definitely needed to look at the picture on the front of the box while following the directions. Only took about 10 min at most.
I didn't need to worry about the mounting post or mounting plate because I'm using the existing mounting post that currently holds the DIRECTV satellite dish.
I also didn't need to worry about running a coaxial cable because there are already 4 of them running for the satellite. I only need to borrow 1 of those for this project.

The satellite dish has the coaxial cables attach inside the arm. Two screws and nuts allowed me access and I was able to unscrew all 4 cables. Once they were loose, I was able to pull the cables out easily.

Now the only thing holding the dish onto the post was 3 bolts. They've been there for about a decade, so it took a little muscle to get them loose. After loosening them, the dish came right off the post. I tossed the dish down the ground below which was fun.

Next, I attached my antenna to the post. Very straightforward. The only issue I had was I aimed and tightened the antenna down before screwing the coaxial cable to it. The connection point was on the other side and I was WAY too high up in the air to be standing and reaching over this thing to hook up the cable. I acquiesced and loosened the mounting screws to rotate the antenna around so it was easier to attach the cable, then moved it back into it's final position.

Speaking of position... you need to know which direction to point this thing. There are online services that will tell you where broadcasters are, but my situation made things easier. I know the stations I want are coming from Cleveland, so I took out my phone and opened the map app and could see from the icon when my phone was pointed toward the city. Just needed to have the antenna pointed in the same direction.

Back inside the house, I disconnected the antenna cable from the DIRECTV equipment and hooked it up to my coaxial run that goes to a test TV. On the TV I was able to verify that I was picking up the Cleveland stations. Yeah baby!

Next I need to get the streaming box and the antenna cable will hook directly into it.

Here are links to the main parts for this project:

Over The Air Antenna
https://amzn.to/3s3uLYs

HD HomeRun box
https://amzn.to/3CzuiSy

Stay tuned...

Over The Air Antenna! Part 1I'm tired of trying to figure out how to watch local sports. It pi**es me off that the str...
10/17/2022

Over The Air Antenna! Part 1

I'm tired of trying to figure out how to watch local sports. It pi**es me off that the streaming services black out our local teams. I've had success using a VPN to trick them into thinking I'm watching from somewhere else in the country, but it's a bit of a pain.

Solution:
Hook up an over the air antenna!

For those that don't know, your local TV stations and others (like PBS) still broadcast their programming... for FREE. All you need is an antenna and a TV with a tuner. What's even better is they are broadcasting in full HD, 1080P. What's even better than that, is in the near future they will be broadcasting in 4K!

Soooo... I can get a kick ass antenna for less than $100 and I'll have all the local stations in high def, BUT the antenna uses coax cable and not all my TVs are near a coax outlet.

Solution2:
Create my own streaming service (sort of).

A company called SiliconDust makes a product called HDHomeRun. This little bu**er has a TV tuner in it, so I can hook up the antenna directly to it. It then connects to my home network and streams to it's own app that I can install on any of my TVs or iPhone, iPads, etc.

The beauty of this solution is in the simplicity. I only have to worry about 1 run of coax cable (which is actually already there because of the satellite antenna) and then any of my other TVs on the home network will be able to use the antenna AND all in it should be less than $300 with no monthly fees!

That's the plan. I still need to order the HDHomeRun box. I have the antenna, but it's pretty windy today and that roof scares me on a calm day. Once the wind dies down, I'll document the installation.

Here are links to the main parts for this project:

Over The Air Antenna
https://amzn.to/3s3uLYs

HD HomeRun box
https://amzn.to/3CzuiSy

Couple notes:

1. The antenna I selected is OVERKILL. I only live about 20 miles south of Cleveland. It has a range of 200 miles. Instead of getting Cleveland's TV stations, I might end up with Toronto's, 😂

2. This antenna is stationary. No moving parts or electronics up there. That means less parts to break and go wrong, but also I'd have to climb my happy ass up on the roof to receive signals from a different direction. This isn't a problem for me, I only want 1 city's stations, but if you are located near multiple cities and want to be able to reach any of them, there are antennas that are motorized with a remote control.

3. They make several versions of the HD HomeRun boxes. Some have built in DVR capabilities so you can record live TV to watch later. I'm only worried about being able to watch sports live, as they are happening, and I'm not recording anything. If you wanted to be able to record, there is an option for that.

Wish me luck!

Looking for a more affordable home alarm system that’s also more high tech?Ring is a great option to replace your older ...
09/17/2022

Looking for a more affordable home alarm system that’s also more high tech?

Ring is a great option to replace your older alarm system. It’s one plan that you pay for which includes your ring cameras, alarm monitoring, and cellular backup.

Ring also has an interface available that will tie into your legacy alarm to use some of the sensors you already have.

Lots of options and possibilities that will give you more control, more access, and less expensive than what you’re currently paying.

Send me a message and I can help plan and install a Ring security system and cameras for you.

330-238-3133
[email protected]

Here’s a photo dump of before pics and construction pics for my theater project.Send me a message for a free quote and p...
09/16/2022

Here’s a photo dump of before pics and construction pics for my theater project.

Send me a message for a free quote and plan customized to your home and needs.
330-238-3133
[email protected]

09/10/2022

Here's my personal home theater. 110" projector screen, 4k HDR projector, Dolby Atmos 7.2.6 surround sound, tactile transducers in all seats (AKA "butt shakers"), acoustic sound panels, LED accent lights, voice control, Control4 automation, fiber optic star ceiling (with shooting star), and more!

I've been upgrading this system for the past 10 years and over COVID I finally remodeled the basement and created a full fledged theater!

Do you want to add some surround sound to your family room? Maybe you have an outdated media room and you want to start upgrading equipment? Maybe you just have a room that needs a soundbar?

Send me a message for a free quote and plan customized to your home and needs.
330-238-3133
[email protected]

How’s the Wi-Fi at your house? Has it slowed down or do you have dead spots?These Wi-Fi routers work best when placed p...
09/09/2022

How’s the Wi-Fi at your house? Has it slowed down or do you have dead spots?

These Wi-Fi routers work best when placed properly in your home and just like everything else, there’s a lifespan, and they need to be replaced every 5 years or so.

I actually have 5 in my house to make sure I’m completely blanketed in good coverage.

Want to improve your Wi-Fi or are you having any issues?

Send me a message for a free quote and plan customized to your home and needs.

330-238-3133
[email protected]

Tired of watering potted plants and flowers?This group of pots sits on the far side of the pool. I tied into the existin...
09/09/2022

Tired of watering potted plants and flowers?

This group of pots sits on the far side of the pool. I tied into the existing sprinkler system and added some dribblers to the pots.

Now it’s grown fuller than ever because I’m not forgetting to go water them 😎

Do you want to modify or repair your sprinkler system? What about upgrading your controller to an intelligent system that’s connected to your Wi-Fi and auto adjusts your watering schedule based on actual and predicted rain?
Fun stuff that also saves money and water!

Send me a text for a free quote and recommendation.

330-238-3133
[email protected]

Pool fountains stuck in the on position. They are controlled by an actuator opening and closing the valve. These little ...
09/07/2022

Pool fountains stuck in the on position.
They are controlled by an actuator opening and closing the valve.
These little electric motors give out after a few years and need to be replaced.

All pieces and parts of our pools end up needing replacement or repair… eventually.

Send me a text if you have any issues or questions about your pool.

330-238-3133
[email protected]

Here’s the equipment rack that drives my theater. It’s hidden away in the unfinished part of the basement.Need some help...
09/07/2022

Here’s the equipment rack that drives my theater. It’s hidden away in the unfinished part of the basement.

Need some help with your home theater equipment? Want to upgrade your current system or need help getting started? Maybe you just want to add a soundbar or subwoofer?

Send me a message for a free quote and advice.

330-238-3133
[email protected]

Address

Richfield, OH
44286

Telephone

+13302383133

Website

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