Campus cable gets digital upgrade

Students living on campus now have access to 131 digital channels — including HBO, Cinemax and FOX Sports — in their dorm rooms.

After years of poor clarity and nondigital service, Campus Televideo signed a new contract with UNC, providing residents and faculty with high definition and digital channels on all televisions across campus.

This is exciting for residents, resident advisors and community government members, said Taylor Bates, president of the Resident Hall Association.

“The new channels provide a legal way for us to organize watching events in residence halls, which is a huge positive,” Bates said.

An increased opportunity to watch sports was very popular among students as well. Students can not only watch more of the games they love, but they can also watch a larger variety of sports.

“In all things sports, except maybe Ultimate Frisbee, more is better,” said sophomore Mahfuz Nasiri, who lives on campus.

While many students interviewed celebrated the improvements, students with outdated TVs won’t benefit. Nondigital televisions won’t support UNC’s new digital cable.

“It certainly affects some students, and I would love to see everyone with the opportunity to take advantage of this service,” Bates said.

ResNet manager Christopher Williams recognized the issue but said digital cable was long past due.

“We’re at a point where we’re just going to have to move forward. There will always be problems here and there, but the quality of service for students will just skyrocket,” he said.

While some students saw this as an inconvenience, the update does not deem nondigital televisions useless. Students can purchase a cable box for their televisions to receive digital channels

.

“While students do have to spend the $35 to receive digital cable, it is much better than spending the $300 or $400 for a new television,” Williams said.

With new services, problems are likely to arise, but Williams said ResNet is ready to answer any questions and work with students to troubleshoot as effectively as possible. Students can call, live chat or submit a request for help on the website.

In addition to the service improvements, Williams said UNC would save money with this new contract. UNC signed a five-year deal with Campus Televideo for a cheaper price than its previous cable contract.

The money saved allows for new channels to be added by popular request, Williams said.

Bates said he and his roommate were excited for the change.

“We’ll definitely be watching more TV this semester,” he said.

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