Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!xanth!mcnc!rti!sunpix!matthew
From: matthew@sunpix.UUCP ( Sun Visualization Products)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Undesired television reception: solution?
Message-ID: <999@friar-taac.UUCP>
Date: 15 Nov 89 20:37:39 GMT
References: <938@swbatl.UUCP>
Reply-To: matthew@friar-taac.UUCP (Matthew Stier - Sun Visualization Products)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sun Microsystems, RTP, NC
Lines: 46

In article <938@swbatl.UUCP> uusgta@swbatl.UUCP (Tom Adams 5-4237) writes:
}I'm getting ready to write a scathing letter to my cable television company.
}
}The problem is "ghost" images on network channels, when viewed through the cable 
}connection.   After talking to the company, they explain that the downlink
}site is miles from my house, and local signals overpower the cable carried
}signals.  My suspicion is that this is indicative of poor shielding on their
}part; Isn't coax awfully close to a faraday cage?  It also seems that they
}could move local channels to another freq on the cable, or boost signal
}levels at diffrent points in the city.   They say I should "just connect the
}antenne" to watch local channels, a wholly unacceptable answer, especially
}during unattended videotaping.
}
}Am I reasonable in my irritation?  Are there other solutions I could suggest?
}Is there some minimum quality of service they are required (by whom?) to
}provide? Should I wrap my house in tin foil :) ?
}-- 
}#	---Tom Adams---	| uunet!swbatl!uusgta or uusgta@swbatl.swbt.com
}# I collect pre-1930 wireless, electrical and scientific books.
}# opinions... Opinions? I don't think I'm allowed to have opinions.

 
Had the same problem with a local cable company.  (Alert Cable of Cary, NC).
MTV was broadcast on the same channel as a local TV station. Enough people 
got together and complained about this kind of problem and the cable company 
redistributed their selections.

If the cable company complains that they don't have the available free 
frequencies to move a channel to, tell them to suffle the bulletin board 
channels to the frequencies used by local TV stations. Typically BB channels
use Computer generated graphics with colors that are driven so far into 
saturation, that ghosting won't be a problem. Also impress upon them the
goodwill value of a Cable company trying to improve their services.

If this all fails, take up the problem (and these solutions) with your local
goverment.  Most Cable companies are under contract with the local goverment
to provide a specified level of service.  If your local company doesn't meet
those standards, your local goverment will work on your behalf to force 
correction of those problems.


-- 
Matthew Lee Stier                            |
Sun Microsystems ---  RTP, NC  27709-3447    |     "Wisconsin   Escapee"
uucp:  sun!mstier or mcnc!rti!sunpix!matthew |
phone: (919) 469-8300 fax: (919) 460-8355    |