Campus Video System -  HD TV
The Big Ten Network Now in High Definition!

The HDTV service is currently shut down due to flood related problems.
Look for HDTV to return around July 11, 2008

Campus Video Systems received approval to launch a limited high definition system for the campus video system. Not all university housing can receive every channel, and these channel numbers may vary on your digital TV set.

CHANNELS:

Currently two channels are approved for the system. The first is Iowa Public Television.  Iowa Public TV offers two channels typically, and expands to four channels at other times. They offer 1080i HD when they are sending an HD feed. All other channels are on a test-basis only. You may or may not seem them with your TV.

The second HD channel, The Big Ten Network. You should see an HD picture on your digital set at channel 59-19. This is a 720p feed. There are no extra channels on Big Ten Network, it is one full-time HD wide screen at 720p.

REQUIREMENTS:

You will need to have a digital high definition television set with a "QAM" demodulator/tuner.  Most HDTV sets sold in the past few months already have a QAM tuner installed. Older sets will require a tuner box. Specifications for this tuner box and where you can buy one will be posted shortly. You cannot watch the digital HDTV programming on an analog standard definition television set.

Tuners and demodulators will not be provided by ITS Video Services. Customers wishing to watch HDTV will need to buy the equipment. If you need recommendations on a QAM tuner, send us an e-mail at uitv@uiowa.edu.

NOTES:

Please check back soon! Please forgive our delays, but we are launching HD for the first time on our cable system and we have a lot to learn!

Campus Video Services are only available on The University of Iowa campus to University colleges, department, faculty, staff and students.

The terms "Digital" and "High Definition" sometimes can be confusing.

• "Digital" is any TV signal that is transmitted in a digitized format (ones and zeros). This can be broadcast TV, cable TV or even iPod video. It can be Standard Definition (480i60) or High Definition (1080i60 or 720p30), or even lower quality video like iTunes or YouTube (high compression).
   
• "High Definition" refers to video that is 1280x720 (720 progressive) or 1920x1080 (1080 interlace).  HD is also a 16x9 aspect ratio (wider screen) than standard definition, which is 4x3 aspect ratio.
   
• Broadcast signals are not sent at 1080 progressive (1080p), despite the fact that you see this as a specification on many new TV sets. A computer display can take advantage of 1080p.