CUTVFrequently Asked Questions |
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FAQ Topics
The #1 Frequently Asked Question:
How can I plug my television AND my computer into my ResNet jack AT THE SAME TIME?
Overview
What is CUTV?
CUTV is a computer network service that delivers cable television content through data network connections. CUTV, brought to you by Campus Life and CIT, brings 50 channels of news and entertainment programming to students residing in Campus Life on-campus housing, and to faculty and staff across campus. Although the end product is a lot like cable TV, it's important to remember that it uses different technology.
Is this cable TV?
Not really. CUTV will bring many familiar channels from cable TV (in fact, the programming is provided by Time Warner). The difference is that CUTV is delivered as a data stream to network jacks instead of through traditional coaxial cable. CUTV can be viewed using a special software player on Windows-based computers, or a Set Top Box (STB) can be used to connect to any television set or video device with A/V inputs. (There is an additional rental fee for the STB.)
Why can't we just get regular cable in our residence hall?
Most of the residential buildings were not originally wired for the coaxial cable required for regular cable TV. It would be prohibitively expensive for Cornell to install coaxial cable in our existing unwired buildings. CUTV has been created to deliver television service because it provides equal amenities and capabilities across campus. And, now that CUTV is available for faculty and staff, it provides access in locations where cable TV installation would not be possible.
I live off-campus. Can I get CUTV?
CUTV is available in most Campus Life residential housing facilities, including undergraduate and graduate spaces, and select cooperative residences. CUTV is not available in Thurston Court or off-campus housing areas. CUTV is not available to faculty and staff off-campus.
What channels are included?
50 channels of news and entertainment programming were selected by comparing the offerings at other Universities, and from student input in previous surveys. Please see the website for a complete listing of channels.
Can I get pay-per-view channels?
Not at this time.
What about Cornell-specific channels?
Channel 100 is used for special Cornell events. (When there's no event, there's nothing on that channel.) You can find out about upcoming events by checking on the CUTV home page. We're looking into additional Cornell content. Stay tuned. <pun intended>
Can I record the programs? Can I use TIVO or other digital recorders?
Recording and time shifting functions are not available due to contract restrictions imposed by the content owners.
How much does CUTV cost?
When viewed on a Windows-based computer, the cost of CUTV is $30/month (with a $45 refundable deposit for the equipment for ResNet customers). Subscribers who view CUTV with a Set Top Box and television pay $45/month (with a $150 refundable deposit for the equipment for ResNet customers). For ResNet customers, the monthly charge and security deposit is applied to the subscriber's Bursar account. For faculty and staff, charges are applied to a university account.
Can faculty or staff pay for a personal subscription?
No. All faculty and staff subscriptions must be billed to a general ledger account.
Can ResNet subscribers pay in a way other than their Bursar account?
No.
Will I have to pay NUBB charges on the traffic caused by CUTV ?
No. CUTV traffic all happens within the campus network, and there are no NUBB charges associated with that traffic.
Can I get CUTV over the RedRover wireless network?
No. Our contract with the content providers currently prohibits wireless distribution. Beyond that, wireless networks operate with a much smaller bandwidth than our wired network, and the CUTV traffic could easily overload parts of RedRover. In the future, this may change as compression gets more effective and Access Points deliver more bandwidth, but for now CUTV is not available via wireless.
Where do I get help?
Start by checking the installing, using, and troubleshooting pages on our website. Additional assistance for CUTV is provided by the CIT Contact Center (HelpDesk). You can reach them at 5-8990 or by e-mail at helpdesk@cornell.edu
Accounts
How do I sign up?
ResNet subscribers can sign up online. Faculty and staff subscribers should contact their unit's telecommunications coordinator. See our Subscribing to CUTV page for more information.
How do I cancel my account?
ResNet subscribers cancel by returning their equipment. Faculty and staff subscribers cancel by contacting their unit's telecommunications coordinator. See our Cancelling Your Subscription page for complete information.
When will I need to use my password?
If you watch CUTV on a computer, you'll need to type in your password the first time you start the SmartVision player. Note: some "cookie-cleaner" Windows utilities can delete the file that stores your login information. If you use one of these utilities or manually delete cookies, you may be asked to log in again.
If you watch CUTV on a television, you will not use your password.
Computer Subscriptions
What computer hardware do I need?
CUTV requires a computer running Windows XP. You'll need a 1-GHz or faster Pentium-class processor and at least 256 MB of RAM. Your computer must have DirectX 9.0 (or higher) and Internet Explorer 6 installed.
I'm a Macintosh or Linux user. What about me?
We're sure you've heard this answer before... The custom software needed to decode and decrypt the data stream only supports Windows at this time. Users of other operating systems can view CUTV by using a Set Top Box to connect to a TV or monitor. We're working to secure a client for the Macintosh OS.
Do I use a remote?
If you use CUTV with a computer, there is no remote. The Windows player is navigated using your mouse and/or keyboard.
Will my computer slow down while receiving CUTV?
Typically not. The campus network is sufficiently robust to handle the traffic. Some buildings with older networks may experience some lagging. Some programs that use very high bandwidth, such as some file sharing tools, may work more slowly. If your computer does not meet our minimum requirements, you may experience problems.
Can I still do e-mail or web browsing while using CUTV?
Yes, you can do as many other tasks on the computer as your hardware will support. You can choose to view the video in a window while doing other functions, or full screen for a bigger picture.
Will my screensaver interfere with viewing CUTV on my computer?
When in full screen mode, your computer will seem to be in use, so your screensaver will typically not activate. In other modes, your screensaver will activate as it's configured on your computer. When you leave the screensaver, you may find that the CUTV picture is distorted. You can correct this by changing channels.
When will I need to use my password?
If you watch CUTV on a computer, you'll need to type in your password the first time you start the SmartVision player. Note: some "cookie-cleaner" Windows utilities can delete the file that stores your login information. If you use one of these utilities or manually delete cookies, you may be asked to log in again.
Do CUTV channels have closed captioning?
Only when you watch CUTV on a television. Your TV set processses the closed captioning information, so closed captioning is not available for CUTV subscribers who watch on their computer.
Television Subscriptions
I ordered the Set Top Box (television) version of CUTV, and now I have both my computer and the Set Top Box to plug into my one network jack. What do I do if I want to use both of them at the same time?
One of the advantages of the USB/software version of CUTV is that you can use your computer to both watch TV and do your other computing. However if you opt to use a Set Top Box, there are two options to handle the need to plug in two devices with one jack. The simplest solution is to plug in one device at a time, sharing the jack between them. The other option is to purchase an Ethernet Switch, which lets you connect more than one device to your one network jack. See our Sharing Your Jack page for more information about using an Ethernet Switch.
Faculty and staff users cannot share a jack used with a Set Top Box.
When I turn on my TV, all I see is the Channel Lineup. I can't switch to any other channel. What's wrong?
Chances are you haven't actually connected yet (the Channel Lineup is built-in to the Set Top Box). Please see out Troubleshooting CUTV with Your Television page for more information.
When I turn on my TV, all I see is snow, static, no picture. What's wrong?
Chances are you haven't selected the correct video input on your television. Please see out Troubleshooting CUTV with Your Television page for more information.
Can I watch CUTV if I have HDTV (high-definition)?
CUTV does not support HDTV. The HDTV video input has 5 cables - 3 for video (red, green, blue) and 2 for audio (standard white and red). If your television has ONLY the five inputs listed above, you will not be able to use it with CUTV. If your television has standard input jacks (a yellow input or an S-video input), then you can connect to CUTV by using those jacks.
There might be converters available but we neither encourage nor support them.
When will I need to use my password?
If you watch CUTV on a television, you will not use your password.
Do CUTV channels have closed captioning?
Yes, when you watch CUTV on a television. Your TV set processses the closed captioning information, so closed captioning is not available for CUTV subscribers who watch on their computer.
Last modified: November 15, 2007
