1. Why are there gaps in the channel lineup?
2. Why can't we just add more channels?
3. Why is Channel 98 part of the Lifeline TV service?
4. What can be done to add more channels?
5. Why can't we have Video-on-demand?

CABLE CHANNELS

TV Cable Channel FAQ

Why are there gaps in the channel lineup?

Most of the available physical channels are used for regular, analog television (NTSC) that uses conventional channel numbering. The exceptions appear as "gaps," but those physical channels are still in use or are reserved for other formats:

• Channel 10. Used for the Internet downstream (QAM).
• Channels 3, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19-22. Used for local and Sacramento DTV programming (ATSC converted to QAM). Many of these signals carry more than one program. If you are using a cable box, these will be numbered in the 100-999 range, but if you are using a QAM tuner built into your TV the channel displayed on your screen is a "PSIP" channel (a channel, hyphen or decimal point and sub channel) that has is supplied by the broadcaster and which has nothing to do with the actual channel that is used to transmit the signal. Note that the digital programming matches the analog programming in the Lucas Valley Community service so that indivduals receiving that service can enjoy eight HD screens.
• Channels 81-83. Used for ESPN HD and HD Net (two programs per channel).
• Channels 95-97. This is the FM band.
• Channels 85-94 and 100-117. Used or reserved for digital TV (QAM). Each of these physical channels supports as many as twelve regular programs or three HDTV programs for a total capacity of 24 HD programs and 216 SD programs.

Why can't we just add more channels?

The present top end of the cable is 750MHz (Cable Channel 117). This is because all of the amplifiers on the cable are designed for that limit. New technology has made it possible to obtain amplifiers that would raise the limit to 860 MHz (Cable Channel 135), but that would require the replacement of dozens of very expensive amplifiers. In addition, many of the drop cables that bring the cable to individual homes, not to mention existing house wiring, are barely able to handle the present 750 MHz top end and would have to be replaced. Since most drop cables in Lucas Valley are direct-buried, the costs of replacing them is very high. The total cost of such an upgrade would most likely be cost-prohibitive.

What can be done to add more channels?

Adding additional analog channels is problematic because each analog channel requires a full 6-MHz physical channel. Digital TV, on the other hand, has about twelve channels (or three HDTV channels) in a single physical channel. For this reason, digital channels make much better use of the cable resource. Also, new TVs capable of receiving analog TV are expected to start disappearing after the analog shut-down date (June, 2009) passes.

Why can't we have Video-on-Demand?

Video-on-demand (VoD) requires an enormous head-end server to hold the library of deliverable programs. The cost of that equipment is prohibitive for operators of our small size. If equipment costs continue to drop, however, we will be able to add this capability in the future.