Cable Tv User Guide

ECSU Cable TV Service:

In 2014, Eastern's Charter Communications cable TV service was changed from an analog to an all-digital signal. This new service, which is free to students living in Eastern residence halls includes an expanded channel lineup with many high-definition (HD) channels, four HBO channels, and over thirty digital music channels. This is a customized, bulk-feed type of service that is specific to Eastern. The channels are fixed and the service cannot be upgraded with additional channels using Charter provided equipment.

To receive these channels, you must have a QAM tuner (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation). The QAM tuner allows your TV to receive high definition cable programming without a cable set-top box. Most, but not all televisions manufactured after 2007 have an integrated tuner that can receive QAM based channels.

You should check the specifications from your TV manufacturer to determine if it includes the required QAM tuner. It should be explicitly referenced in the TV's specifications. There are several types of digital tuners in the United States and not all will work with Eastern's cable TV service.

• §  NTSC Tuner - not compatible,
• §  ATSC Tuner - not compatible,
• §  QAM Tuner - compatible and required.

Unfortunately, some less expensive TVs come with a low-quality QAM tuner that may not be able to pick up all of the digital channels. Our experience has demonstrated that well-established manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony, Sharp, LG, and Toshiba have performed better. Also, to receive HD channels, you need an HD-compatible TV.

How do I program my TV to view the new channel lineup? 

Most QAM tuner TVs have a "Channel Search" or "Auto Program" function that will automatically scan the incoming signals and detect the ones that are available. It may be necessary to do a channel search before your TV will allow you to tune to a specific channel.

1. Go into the TV Menu and select "Set Up"
2. Look for and select an option similar to "Channel Search" or "Auto Program"
3. The TV will automatically begin searching to identify all available channels
4. After this auto search is completed, there should be approximately 60-70 channels available for viewing (if the TV has an internal QAM tuner). If no channels are available, it is likely the TV does not have a QAM tuner.

If you previously watched a program on channel 4, the new channel may have moved to a new number, such as 4.2 or 4-

Some TVs require you to erase "old" channels and rescan them in the new channels.

Also, most HD TVs have the ability to modify aspect ratios. If your picture seems stretched or has black bars around the picture after the scan, please modify the aspect ratio to fit with your desired viewing experience.

If I do not have or do not want to purchase a TV with a QAM tuner do I have any other options?

You can purchase an external QAM tuner that can be connected to a TV. Only the following unit has been endorsed by Eastern and Charter Communications as being fully compatible with the new cable TV service. This unit is available online directly through Channelmaster or from Amazon.

• http://www.channelmasterstore.com/HD_Antenna_Tuner_CM_7001_p/cm-7001.htm

After consulting my TV user manual and verifying that I have a TV with a QAM tuner, I am still having problems getting a cable signal on my TV. What can I do for support?

• Please contact the ITS Help Desk at 860-465-4346 or by email, helpdesk@easternct.edu.