Friday, July 11, 2008

PEG is moving

If you haven't heard yet, Charter Communications is moving channel 12, the local PEG Channel (Public, Education, Government), that serves Monona and the school district. Currently broadcast on the basic tier of analog service the channel will be moved to a digital channel number somewhere between 980 an 994. Although the signal will be available on the basic tier you will need a TV with a digital tuner or a converter box in order to access such scintillating content as the MG Board meetings. The switchover will occur on August 12th so you will need to upgrade by then. The city's information page on the subject can be found here.

It is my understanding that Web Streaming of the content will be considered in order to offer some service options to those without digital reception or cable access.

Update: Andy Hagen (The city and district Media Coordinator) posted a comment with some important information, so I moved it up here:


Thank you for letting people know about this. The change is a little confusing because of another digital television change happening at the same time with over-the-air broadcasters. Cable is not using the same system that over-the-air broadcasters are using. A few other notes which could be helpful to you and your readers.

1)The change means that live events at the High School (sports, concerts, etc.) should be viewable in both Monona and Cottage Grove.

2)The new cable signal will require a QAM tuner. The digital tuners currently available for around $50 (and eligible for a $40 coupon) WILL NOT WORK with this signal. QAM tuners are hard to find right now, and usually are sold as part of a DVD recorder, or DVR for around $150.

3)The QAM tuner is not well documented on displays at TV retailers either. It is not well known by salespeople. Not all new TVs have them, and new TVs are not required to have them like the are for the other system. If you are looking for a new TV, shop carefully. You still might need a converter box to watch digital cable on a new TV.

4)Charter told us they will offer a converter box to viewers for free for 6 months. Viewers would have to call Charter, and then stop by their office on Daniels street to pick it up. Details will be released next week.

If you or your readers have any questions, please call me at 221-7666 x 2133.

Thank you,
Andy Hagen
Media Coordinator

3 comments:

Andrew Hagen said...

Thank you for letting people know about this. The change is a little confusing because of another digital television change happening at the same time with over-the-air broadcasters. Cable is not using the same system that over-the-air broadcasters are using. A few other notes which could be helpful to you and your readers.

1)The change means that live events at the High School (sports, concerts, etc.) should be viewable in both Monona and Cottage Grove.

2)The new cable signal will require a QAM tuner. The digital tuners currently available for around $50 (and eligible for a $40 coupon) WILL NOT WORK with this signal. QAM tuners are hard to find right now, and usually are sold as part of a DVD recorder, or DVR for around $150.

3)The QAM tuner is not well documented on displays at TV retailers either. It is not well known by salespeople. Not all new TVs have them, and new TVs are not required to have them like the are for the other system. If you are looking for a new TV, shop carefully. You still might need a converter box to watch digital cable on a new TV.

4)Charter told us they will offer a converter box to viewers for free for 6 months. Viewers would have to call Charter, and then stop by their office on Daniels street to pick it up. Details will be released next week.

If you or your readers have any questions, please call me at 221-7666 x 2133.

Thank you,
Andy Hagen
Media Coordinator

Anonymous said...

If we already have digital cable will we be able to get this channel?

Andrew Hagen said...

Yes, people that already have digital cable will still get the Monona PEG channel.

Remember that most people only have digital cable in one or two rooms of their home (rooms with a Charter Cable box), and analog in the others (rooms where the set just plugs into the wall). So you may have been able to watch the Monona Community in more rooms then you will be able to after August 12th.

Also those who get digital cable, but don't have a Charter Box (either because of a new TV, or DVR), you will probably have to do an "auto-program" to find us after the move. Charter's equipment should download the new channel number automatically to those that use a cable box.