Digital CATV & Channel Guide

Digital Channels on Calvin Cable TV

1. The Calvin College Cable TV System has analog and digital channels:

   ·         We still have 38 channels of "analog" programs (channels 2-39).

   ·         We have 50+ channels of digital programs (channels 40.1 and above).

2. During the summer of 2013, Calvin will finish converting the cable TV system to an all-digital service. If you are currently able to view any digital channels, such as 40.1 and greater, then your TV has a digital tuner, so will display all the channels next fall. However, if your tv only displays channels 2-39, then it probably does not have a digital tuner, so won't display any cable channels this fall.

   How can I see the digital channels?

   First, a little explanation of the different kinds of channel tuners:

   ·         ATSC tuners receive only the digital channels which tv stations now transmit through the air, but not digital cable channels.

   ·        QAM tuners receive only the digital channels which are on cable tv systems. They are often called clear QAM or unscrambled digital channels or free digital channels or cable-ready.

   ·         NTSC tuners receive only the analog channels which tv stations used to transmit through the air and the analog channels which are still on cable tv systems. NTSC was used since the 1950's, but is no longer used in the US. .

Because it has an NTSC tuner, an "old" tv will display the analog cable channels, 2-39, until they are removed. However, you need a QAM tuner to view the digital channels on the Calvin Cable TV system.

You have several options:

1.      Get a tv which has a QAM tuner, such as a new, flat screen tv.
Connect Calvin Cable to the tv and select its auto-scan or auto-program feature. It will scan and recognize all the digital channels.

2.      Keep your old tv and add an external device which has a QAM tuner, such as a VHS/DVD combination player/recorder or a DVD/DVR (Digital Video Recorder, like TIVO).
A similar option is to get a separate device which only has a tuner. This device will work well, but is not very popular because of its limited features compared to its cost.
Connect Calvin Cable to it, and connect it to any tv. Then select its auto-scan or auto-program feature. It will scan and recognize the analog channels AND the digital channels, so you can view them.

3. Get a QAM tuner adapter for your computer. They are usually USB devices.
Connect Calvin Cable to it and install the software. Then you can view the channels on your computer.

 

Calvin College CATV Channel Guide

Analog Channels

02 Channel Guide & Overflow viewing
03 CBS / WWMT3
04 NBC / WOOD 8
05 ABC / WZZM 13
06 Calvin College Food Services
07 Food Network
08 SyFy
09 AMC
10 TBS
11 TNT
12 USA
13 CMT
14 BVN Dutch
15 TV5 Monde French
16 DW-TV German
17 History
18 CNN
19 MSNBC
20 FOX News
21 Headline News
22 Weather Channel
23 ESPN
24 ESPN2
25 Fox Sports Detroit
26 MLB Network
27 NBA TV
28 NHL Network
29 Discovery
30 Biography Channel
31 Science Channel
32 National Geographic
33 National Geographic Wild
34 APN
35 TLC The Learning Channel
36 A&E
37 TV One
38 ABC Family Channel
39 Cartoon Network

.

Digital Channels

40.1 Channel Guide & Overflow viewing
41.1 WWMT-HD
41.2 West MI CW
41.11 WOOT DT
41.12 WXSP
41.13 Radar
42.1 WZZM DT
42.2 WZZM 24/7 Weather
42.11 FOX17 DT
42.12 Antenna TV
42.13 THIS-TV
43.1 WGVU-HD PBS
43.2 WGVU Create
43.3 WGVU-MHZ Worldview
43.4 WGVU Program Guide
43.11 WOTV ABC-HD
43.12 THECOOLTV
44.1 ION
44.2 QUBO
44.3 IONLIFE
44.11 WLLA Religious
44.12 WLLA 2 Retro TV
44.13 WLLA 3 My Family TV
45.1 WTLJ / TCT
45.2 TCT HD
45.3 TCT Family
45.4 La Fuente
46.1 History
46.2 H2 History International
46.3 Nickelodeon
46.4 OWN
47.1 VanNoord Arena Live Feed
47.2 Bloomberg
47.3 Fox Business Network
47.4 NFL Network
47.5 ESPN Classic
47.6 ESPN News
47.7 CSPAN House of Rep
47.8 CSPAN 2 Senate
50.1 VanNoord Arena Live Feed
50.11 VanNoord Arena Live Feed (select buildings only)
54.1 NASA HD
54.2 NASA Educational
54.11 CBC Toronto HD
55.1 River Broadcast Network
55.2 JCTV
55.3 Euronews (EURNS)
55.4 Dining Hall Menu
55.5 BVN Dutch
55.6 TV5 Monde French
55.7 DWTV German
55.8 CNN Español
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