Mediacom is upgrading to an all-digital technology that will allow us to provide digital quality signals. Once the all-digital conversion is complete we will have a better picture and sound quality with more HD channels, faster Internet speeds and greater reliability.
The Broadcast Digital Transition was a government mandate that stated effective June 12, 2009, all analog broadcast TV signals (i.e. ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, Univision, etc.) must be broadcast in digital. The All-Digital conversion allows us to provide you with enhanced services, including more channels and faster Internet.
By switching to digital transmission, we gain more capacity to provide more channels and improved services. Analog transmission of channels is an older technology that uses 10 times as much of our system capacity than a digital channel. For every analog channel, we could carry 10 digital channels or 3 HD channels.
Mediacom will provide you up to three Digital adapters at no cost through January 30, 2013. Beginning January 31, 2013, a fee of $0.99 per adapter will be added to your bill.
Unless your television set has a built-in digital tuner or a Mediacom digital receiver, you will be unable to receive Mediacom cable service.
Now. The conversion is currently taking place.
Digital Equipment
You must have a TV with a built-in digital tuner or Mediacom digital receiver on each television connected to Mediacom service; otherwise you will need Mediacom to provide you with digital adapters.
The FCC requires all new TV sets manufactured after March 1, 2007 must include digital tuners. To be sure, you should check your Digital TVs and/or their manuals to see if they may have the following statements indicating it contains a digital tuner.
Integrated Digital Tuner/Receiver
Digital Tuner/Receiver Built-In
Digital Tuner/Receiver
ATSC
QAM or ClearQAM
DTV
HDTV (High Definition TV)
NOTE: Statements of Monitor, Ready, NTSC or 8VSB indicate the TV does not have a cable-compatible digital tuner.
If your TV has a digital tuner, you will be able to receive your Basic and Family Cable channels without a digital adapter. If you subscribe to any premium channels or special digital packages you will need either a Mediacom digital box or CableCARD to continue to receive those channels.
A Digital Adapter will only provide unencrypted digital channels (Basic and Family). A Digital Receiver will display encrypted services such as Premiums, Digital Plus, Sports, or HD Pak and provide advanced services such as on-screen guide, PPV or VOD.
Your HDTV will only display your local broadcast channels in HD. A Mediacom HD Receiver is necessary to receive our network HD channels; ESPN, USA, etc. A Mediacom Receiver will get you thousands of free On Demand programs and easy access to Premium Services and great digital packages!
Store bought digital adapters with an 8VSB tuner do not work on our system. If it has an ATSC or QAM tuner you should be fine.
Channel Lineup & Programming
Channels are broadcast on the system using different frequencies. Mediacom reassigns the channels to designated channel numbers that our equipment will display.
Yes, you can use closed captioning with your new digital adapter. The ability to display closed captioning on your TV is not affected by connecting a digital adapter. To use your closed captioning, follow the instructions in the TV manufacturer's user guide.
No. Parental controls aren't available on a digital adapter, however they are available on a Mediacom digital receiver.
NOTE: If your TV has built-in parental control technology, it will continue to work with the digital adapter.
