Digital CATV & Channel Guide

Digital Channels on Calvin Cable TV

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

We still have 38 channels of "analog" programs (channels 2-39), as in the past, and any old tv will still display those channels.
We have added 30+ channels of digital programs (channels 40+), which are available to most areas of campus. However, your tv might not be able to receive them.

How can I see the digital channels?

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

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 has been used since the 1950's.
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.

An "old" tv will continue to display the analog channels, 2-39, because it has an NTSC tuner, but you need a QAM tuner to view the digital channels on the Calvin Cable TV system.

You have several options:

Get a tv which has a QAM tuner as well as an NTSC tuner: QAM for the digital channels and NTSC for the old analog channels. A new, flat screen tv usually includes both, but not always. Check before you buy.

Connect Calvin Cable to the tv and 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.
Keep your old tv and add a device which has a QAM tuner and an NTSC tuner built-in, such as a VHS/DVD combination player/recorder or a DVD/DVR (Digital Video Recorder, like TIVO). If you buy one, check that it really does have a both tuners. Not all of them do.

A similar option is to get a separate device which only has the tuners. 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.
Get a QAM tuner adapter for your computer. They are usually USB devices and often include an NTSC tuner, which will also let you receive the analog channels.

Connect Calvin Cable to it and install the software. Then you can view the channels on your computer.

Digital CATV & Channel Guide

Digital Channels on Calvin Cable TV

How can I see the digital channels?

Calvin College CATV Channel Guide

Analog Channels

Digital Channels