[Nov 23, 2009 14:09] Web access to Microsoft Live@edu accounts now works.
Overview of Cable TV Services
Channels: Students can get access to the standard University cable service, which includes the major networks, sports channels, music channels, and many others. Premium channels are not available. More information on cable TV channels on Grounds.
Pricing: There is only one cable TV connection per residence hall room. The standard cable charge was $16.50/month last year, and is expected to be slightly higher this year (final pricing will be announced after contract negotiations are complete). It includes channels 2-65, 67, 69, 70, 73 and 98. This is usually a separate charge, but some residence halls have cable TV included in the Housing fee.
Cancellation/Deactivation: All cable is scheduled for deactivation at the end of the spring semester each year. If you should request cable deactivation during a holiday break, you will be charged a reconnection fee of $42. Please email itccable@virginia.edu if cancellation is needed prior to that time.
Contracting for Cable TV in Your Residence Hall
- Sign up: Request cable TV in your residence hall room. (Before you may sign up for cable TV, you must have activated your UVa email account and know your
residence hall address.)
- There is only one cable connection per room, so only one roommate should sign up for service; that person will be the one billed.
- In some residence halls, cable TV is included in your Housing fee, and no cable TV service request form is needed.
- During the school year, service is activated within about 5 working days after receipt of the contract.
- Questions? Call (434) 924-6879 or email itccable@virginia.edu.
- Billing: Billing is done on a monthly basis. More information on billing is below.
- Checking your cable TV connection status: To access the status of your cable TV connection, log into Communications Services Student Account Information.
Where Cable TV Is Available on Grounds
Cable TV is available and included in your Housing fee if you live in Bice House, Copeley 3 or 4, Faulkner, French House, Lambeth, or the Russian/Slavic House.
In the following residence halls, cable TV is available, but not included in the Housing fee, so you need to contract for cable TV:
Alderman Road Balz |
Brown College Davis |
Hereford College Johnson |
Jefferson Park Ave. Spanish
House |
Lawn and Range Cracker
Box |
McCormick Road Bonnycastle |
Monroe Lane Sprigg Lane |
Stadium Road Dillard |
Cable TV Setup Basics
Your TV Cable
Students will need to provide the cable that runs from the wall outlet to the TV. This is a standard 75-ohm part with plug-type F connectors on each end. If the television set has only a dual screw-type antenna connector labeled 300 ohms, a matching transformer will also be needed. These parts are available at all electronics shops and most department stores. The 75-ohm cable can also be purchased from Cavalier Computers in the University Bookstore.
Your Television Itself
Your TV must be cable-ready. “Cable-ready” means your TV is capable of receiving the channels that are typically available on a cable TV system. While channels 2-13 can be received by all TV sets, the channels above those aren’t as standardized. Having a cable-ready TV means that you should be able to receive the additional channels that are available at UVa. Cable-ready does not imply that the TV is capable of receiving premium channels like HBO and Cinemax. (In fact, premium channels are not available on the UVa system.)
The easiest way to check if your TV is cable-ready is to check your owner’s manual. Older TVs that are not cable-ready generally (but not always) have two different tuners, one for VHF (channels 2-13) and one for UHF (channels 14-83). Cable television also has channel designations that include 2-73, 98, and others, but the UHF and VHF tuners operate in a different band and will not receive the additional channels properly.
Assuming your TV is cable-ready, you need to make sure it is set to enable that feature. Some older TVs may have a switch on the outside of the set; look for markings such as Cable-Air or Cable-Broadcast. Newer TVs make use of the remote control along with on-screen menus to make the adjustment. Again, check your owner’s manual.
If your TV is not cable-ready you can use a VCR to tune in the additional channels, assuming the VCR is cable-ready, of course. Just connect the UVa cable to it and then connect it to your television. Leaving the TV tuned to channel 3 (or 4) and using the VCR’s remote control to change channels, you may well be able to get all the available channels.
Connect your television to the CATV outlet on your wall by following these instructions:
Figure 1
Most newer televisions have one antenna input. The input (Figure 1) looks like a small threaded nipple about 5/16” in diameter. The CATV outlet on your wall will have a matching connector. To connect your TV you will need a 75-ohmcoaxial cable with male “F” type connectors on both ends (Figures 2 and 3). Cavalier Computers, located in the University Bookstore on Emmet Street, sells cables in various lengths; Cavalier Computers will be open on move-in Saturday, August 19. Please look carefully at your wall outlet before buying a cable; some outlets, such as those in Gooch-Dillard, have the threaded nipple in a recess on the wall plate that makes it difficult to attach a standard screw-on connector. In those cases, we suggest that you buy a push-on connector.
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| Figure 2 | Figure 3 | Figure 4 | Figure 5 |
TVs with screw terminals only, probably labeled “antenna input,” require an adapter called a “matching transformer” in addition to the 75-ohm coaxial cable. Otherwise you’ll only receive channels 2-12. (See Figures 4 and 5 for examples of matching transformers.) If your television has such screw terminals, by the way, that’s another clue that it may not be cable-ready. You can buy both the cable and matching transformer from local electronics stores and most department stores. Make sure you buy a cable that is long enough to reach the TV without lying where people could trip over it (we suggest running the cable around the room or taping it down).
Connect one end of the cable to the wall outlet and, using the transformer if necessary, connect the other end to your TV. You may want to check your cable TV connection status. If you suspect your cable TV outlet isn't working, please contact the Help Desk by calling (434) 924-HELP.
Cable TV Billing Information
The following information should help you understand the cable TV billing process:
- In lieu of hard copy mailed CATV invoices, students will receive a monthly email notification of said charges from the Student Information System (SIS).
- Payment is due upon receipt and accepted by the following means:
- QuickPay through your SIS account
- Check or money order* hand-delivered to Student Financial Services in the basement of Carruthers Hall
- Check or money order* mailed to Student Payment Processing, P.O. Box 400999, Charlottesville, VA 22904
- Any account not paid within 45 days will be deactivated. Before the account can be reinstated, full payment of the account balance, plus a reactivation fee of $42.00 is expected.
- At 60 days past due, an account is considered delinquent. A “hold” notice will be forwarded to Student Financial Services which will, in turn, prevent the student from class registration, receipt of a diploma, release of transcripts, etc., pending full restitution of the past due amount. The entire account balance (inclusive of the reactivation fee) must be paid before the “hold” will be released.
Problems with Cable TV
Cable television malfunctions should be reported to the Help Desk at (434) 924-HELP.
Billing, contract, any other questions should be addressed to ITC Communication Services—call (434) 924-6879, email itccable@virginia.edu, or visit our offices in Carruthers Hall (across from Barracks Road Shopping Center), Monday-Friday, between 8AM and 5PM.