Welcome to PVN's step-by-step cable TV hook-up guide. We recommend that everyone follow these steps before calling the PVN office to report a problem. 90% of the problems we hear about can be solved by following these set-up steps.

PVN service does NOT require a set-top/cable box. The cable connection comes directly from the wallplate in your room to your cable-ready TV or tuner.

PVN service is an ANALOG, STANDARD signal. We do not currently broadcast in High Definition (HD). (October 17, 2008)

In order to receive the signal from the Penn Video Network, you must have a cable-ready television, or a cable-ready tuner (such as a VCR) that you can plug in to your television. The Penn Video Network does not supply cable-ready VCRs or cable box converters.

If you don't have a remote control, you may not be able to program your TV correctly. Many TV functions can only be accessed with the original remote--it all depends on your TV.

If you don't have your original remote control, and you have a universal remote instead, you still may not be able to program your TV correctly. Most universal remotes only duplicate the basic functions of your original remote. So if the universal remote won't perform a certain function, and the TV doesn't have a button for it either, you may be out of luck.

Go ahead and proceed through this hookup guide, and if you get to a point where you can't go any farther, you will have to:

• find the remote

• order another remote from your TV's manufacturer,

• buy a new TV, or

• rent or purchase a VCR.

The manual for your TV is a big help if you don't know how to program your set to receive cable TV.

TV sets vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Even though the basic procedure for programming a TV is pretty much the same as for any other TV, the actual steps you have to take to accomplish it can vary widely.

We don't know how all TVs work, and we're not TV repair people, so we probably won't know how to program your TV set for you. However, we can offer general suggestions and tell you how it usually works.

Once you figure out if your TV is cable-ready, you will need a coaxial (video) cable.

A coaxial cable is a thick, stiff cable used primarily for cable television installations. A coaxial cable looks something like this:

If you don't have a coaxial cable, you will need one. For College House and Sansom Place residents, coaxial cables are available for free at your House computer lab or the front desk. Coaxial cables are also widely available from stores such as K-mart or Radio Shack.