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SPU offers residential Cable TV service to all on-campus dormitories and most on-campus apartments. Cable TV service includes local stations as well as popular national stations.

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Note

SPU’s Residential Cable TV services were upgraded in the summer of 2014 to include High Definition (HDTV) channels. This advanced technology requires that connecting devices support QAM-HDTV programming, either through internal QAM tuners or external QAM converter boxes. It is the responsibility of the student to bring a TV with an internal QAM tuner, or a TV plus an external QAM converter box to take advantage of campus television service.

 

What is QAM-HDTV and how can I tell if my television supports it?

QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) is one of three types of HD Cable tuners tuner technologies and the one required on our campus. The other two standards (NTSC and ATSC) are NOT supported on the campus cable TV system.Only QAM (or Clear QAM) tuners will work on the campus cable TV system


Each student is responsible for bringing their own television and if applicable, a QAM-capable external TV Tuner. 

If purchasing a new TV...

    • Most (but not all) TVs manufactured since 2006 have an HDTV tuner, though not all of these support QAM.
  •   The best way to determine if your TV will work on campus is to check the owner’s manual or online specifications to be sure it has an internal “QAM-capable” tuner.If your TV is a flat-panel LCD unit and has a built-in coaxial cable plug, it could be QAM capable - however - some "HD tuners" are NTSC or ATSC only, not QAM. Check the specifications to be sure it is QAM-HD.
    • Some are NTSC or ATSC only, not QAM.
    • Make sure that the TV has a QAM-Capable TV Tuner. Check the manual or the manufacturer's website to ensure that the TV's tuner is QAM-HDClear-QAM, or QAM-Capable.

If bringing an existing TV...

      1. Check if your TV's tuner is QAM-Capable:
        1. If your TV has a knob on the front to change channels it is NOT QAM capable.
        2. If your TV does not have a coaxial cable plug, it is NOT QAM capable.
Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications of any TV or converter box for "QAM" capability, not just "HD," or "ATSC" or "NTSC."If your TV does not have an internal QAM tuner
      1. If your TV is not QAM-Capable, see the section below on QAM_Capable TV Tuners.

 

If your TV is not QAM-Capable, you will need to

either buy a new one or purchase a QAM converter box

purchase an external tuner. Here are

a couple we know of (provided only as examples): iView 3500STBIIKworld HDmi.

two example of compatible TV tuners:

Also note that coaxial TV cables (from the wall jack to your TV) are not provided and are the responsibility of the student to bring.