Cable TV

Contact Telecommunication Services to activate cable TV. Requests should be sent to telecom@mtsu.edu. Please include the following:

• Name
• Department
• Location of TV
• Department Account Number
• Contact Telephone Number

Once activated, a Telecommunication Services' technician will assist you with connecting your television. The first time you use your digital television on the MTSU cable TV system, you need to program the TV so it knows what channels are available. This process is called “scanning” or “auto programming” where the TV quickly scans all channels to see which ones are active. The following are general instructions to guide you through the process. If this doesn’t work, you can also find scanning instructions in your TV user manual or online from the manufacturer.

1. Using the remote control for the digital TV, select "menu" or "setup" or a similar term.

2. Then select "scan," "channel scan," "auto scan," or "auto program."

3. Next, select "OK" and wait while your digital TV or converter box searches for all the channels available to you.

4. Once complete, you should be able to select the channels you want to view with the remote control.

5. For TVs connected to a digital to analog converter, you will need to use the converter remote control(not the remote control for the TV) to change channels.

Most television sets have settings to enable reception from either an Off-Air Antenna or from Cable service. The campus cable system requires your television to be set to "Cable" (or "CATV", "CATV - IRC"). If your television is set to "Off-Air" (or "Antenna") you must change this setting to enable reception of all cable channels. This setting may be changed either by moving a switch or by following menu prompts for set-up. Refer to your TV owner's manual for more details. You will need to reprogram/scan your TV once you make the change.

Television signals may be viewed on your computer by using a special PC TV card. Refer to the equipment manufacturer’s manual for installation details. Be aware that performance and quality varies according to the equipment used.

MTSU Telecommunication Services tries to deliver the best possible cable television picture, but occasionally you may experience a reception problem. In some cases, this may be a problem that you can fix yourself in just a few minutes.

Reception issues that can occur include no picture on one or all channels, no color, buzzing sounds, dark or rolling pictures, stations on wrong channel, vertical bars, snowy pictures, etc. Typically these types of problems can be a result of a system-wide issue, cabling issue or an issue with the television and/or devices connected to the television.

1. Check to see if a nearby office is experiencing the same problem. If so, then the problem could be affecting many people and should be reported to the ITD Help Desk. If not, it could mean the trouble is isolated to your location or your television.
2. Disconnect any other devices attached to your television, such as digital receivers, VCRs, Xboxes, etc. so that the coaxial cable is connected directly to the television from the outlet. If this addresses the problem, then reconnect the devices to isolate out the device creating the problem. If you have a VCR, make sure the VCR and the television are both set to the same channel – 3 or 4.
3. Adjust the fine-tuning settings on your television. Check your television’s user guide for more information or try these steps:
   • Dark picture? Slowly adjust your TV's brightness and/or contrast control
   • Rolling picture? Slowly adjust your TV's vertical hold.
   • Picture leans to side? Try adjusting the "horizontal hold" on your TV.
   • Can't tune in desired channel? Determine if you are able to tune the channel using the tuning buttons on the digital receiver or VCR. If so, the problem is likely your remote control. Make sure the channel is not restricted by the parental control feature.

If you have tried to resolve your cable TV service problems and need additional help, please contact the ITD Help Desk at (615) 898-5345.