All residence hall rooms and Northern View Community are fitted with an outlet plate containing at least one cable “tap” or outlet connected to the campus cable system. There are 20 FM radio and a minimum of 41 television channels. For exact number of channels and which channels are available, refer to the website www.media.niu.edu then
Information is also available in the Housing and Dining “Guide Post” publication. The connection to each room is always “on” and need not be activated or connected.
Channel 8 is sponsored by the Residence Hall Association and Housing and Dining. Movie selections include recent releases and selected classics. Channel 20 is the Housing and Dining Bulletin Board, which runs continuous announcements of interest to residents. For information about Channel 8, including the current schedule of movies, visit rha.housing.niu.edu then
Residents wishing to use the system need their own TV and a coaxial TV hook-up cable to connect the outlet plate connector to the TV, VCR, or receiver. Most TVs and VCRs provide a cable with the set.
You will be able to receive more radio stations and stronger signals if you link your stereo to the campus cable system.
If your room has only one cable outlet, you will need a cable splitter that allows you to hook up cables to both your TV and your stereo.
To receive the additional radio stations, you will need a second coaxial cable (just like the one used to link your TV). You will also need a “Balun Transformer.” Despite the technical name, these are available at many places that sell audio and video equipment. This device has a jack that connects to the coaxial cable and two connectors that attach to your stereo. Link the coaxial cable to the wall outlet and hook the two wire connectors to your stereo’s “External Antenna” inputs.