MSU's new cable system to provide students HD options

From now on, a clearer picture will greet students on campus when they turn on their TVs.

MSU began implementing a new cable system Wednesday, and students on campus or in university apartments should already start to see its effects.

The new cable system, which is scheduled to be completely installed within the next two weeks, includes digital channels for all students and high-definition channels for students with HD TVs.

“Students have been demanding high-definition for a little while,” said Nick Kwiatkowski, system analyst for MSU Telecommunication Systems Department.

“This is going to be a pretty significant upgrade for the most part since we’re installing a new system.”

Twelve HD channels ranging from ESPN HD to Discovery HD to Big Ten Network HD will be available through the new system. Kwiatkowski said the university hopes to take steps even further afterward.

“We hope to add more HD channels as time goes on,” Kwiatkowski said.

A digital signal allows for both a clearer picture and an opportunity to stay up-to-date with the current trends, said Anne Phillips, manager of the Telecommunication Systems Department.

“We’re trying to facilitate the evolution to the digital (signal),” Phillips said.

“We also had a contract with Comcast that expired over the spring, so we’re in between deals.”

The cable system used previously was completely analog and the new system will be changed to a completely digital signal, Kwiatkowski said.

In February 2009, all channels nationwide will be switched from the analog system to a digital one.

The university is working on a new cable deal with Comcast, Phillips said.

The current cable system design has been in place for about two decades, Phillips said. He added that several system upgrades have taken place throughout that period of time.

Students will have to adjust to new channel locations because most of the stations below channel 22 will change number locations, Kwiatkowski said.

Those with HD TVs should reprogram their sets in order to access the new HD channels, Kwiatkowski said.

Students said the new digital signal should provide an upgrade from the old signal.

“The sound went out a lot on the old system,” said Lindsey Underwood, a molecular biology, biochemistry and biotechnology sophomore. “It’s especially nice if you have an HD TV.”

For students who live off campus, the HD TV bill is simply another utility cost.

Chemical engineering sophomore Andrew Martin lives off campus and must pay for HD TV.

“I’m paying $49 a month now, which isn’t horrible for high-def, but for a poor college kid, that’s not cheap,” Martin said.

“It’s cool that campus has it.”

Published on Wednesday, August 27, 2008