Channel Master is a company that has been courting cord cutters for years. They’ve been building DVRs and antennas for a while, but this year they’ve got a unique new antenna on display. It’s called the SMARTenna+. At first glance, it just looks like yet another flat antenna. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice it’s thicker than usual in the middle, and there’s actually a button protruding from the bottom. This button is what makes the SMARTenna+ so special.
The problem with every antenna, but especially small ones that are put indoors, is that changing the angle just a tiny amount can radically impact the reception. When mounting a flat antenna to a wall or window you don’t have many options for pointing. To solve this problem, Channel Master has built seven different reception patterns into the SMARTenna+. The button on the bottom of the antenna allows you to choose from those seven profiles. Checking seven different profiles sounds like a hassle though. Channel Master agrees, so they’ve designed it to automatically scan for you. The button can then just be used to fine tune the reception.
The Channel Master SMARTenna+ can be pre-ordered now for $89. Shipments are expected to roll out by the end of March.
For more discussion of this product, check out the latest episode of the Entertainment 2.0 podcast. We covered this, and many other new announcements, in our weekly entertainment technology show.
Channel Master’s SMARTenna+ Press Release
Channel Master, a leading retail-based TV provider, today announced the upcoming availability of the new SMARTenna+, an indoor TV antenna that utilizes an internal processor to analyze and select optimum signal reception patterns as an automated feature.
SMARTenna+ houses seven different antenna pattern reception arrays, performing as seven TV antennas in a single device and is effectively the equivalent of having the antenna in seven different locations in the room at the same time. Where all other indoor TV antennas need to be physically repositioned to find and acquire optimum signal reception, SMARTenna+ can remain stationary while simply adjusting its internal reception pattern, either automatically during initial setup or at any time thereafter by pushing a button on the processor housing.
“Ethertronics is a world leader in active wireless antenna systems for consumer devices including smartphones, laptops and tablets,” said Joe Bingochea, executive vice president of product development at Channel Master. “We worked with Ethertronics to bring that same patented smart wireless technology, known as Active Steering, to over-the-air television reception applications and house it within a modern television antenna.”
SMARTenna+ includes seven different internal reception array patterns, a smart Ethertronics processor, built-in signal amplification, automatic noise filtering, a 60-mile reception range and the added convenience of new patented push-on cable connectors. The antenna effectively overcomes 90% of common indoor reception issues experienced with all other indoor antennas on the market today, delivering more channels and better reception.
“The continued growth of cord cutting has created a market boom for TV antennas, but getting good indoor reception can be a frustrating experience,” said Vahid Manian, chief operating officer at Ethertronics. “By incorporating Active Steering, Channel Master has delivered a breakthrough product in SMARTenna+ that brings a level of performance and convenience to indoor TV reception that has never existed before.”
SMARTenna+ will retail for $89 and will first be available through Channel Master’s online store. Pre-orders are available now with inventory expected before the end of March, and the product is available for demonstration at CES. Media can visit Channel Master at PepCom on Monday, January 8, and private demonstrations are available by appointment in Westgate Hospitality Suites January 9 through 12.
