LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mediacom Communications announced it is upgrading network technology to provide area customers with a major expansion of its high-definition (HD) lineup, while also eliminating analog reception for Family Cable video channels.

Mediacom’s upgrade will affect the Family Cable channel series local subscribers find on their lineup between 23 and 70. Those channels will transition to a digital-only frequency in April and continued reception will require the use of either a digital converter or a digital adapter. Current customers can receive up to three digital adapters at no cost through April 30, 2015.

Company officials describe the digital upgrade as an investment to give customers improved picture and audio quality and larger channel lineups. The upgrade will include adding dozens of channels in the popular high definition format to deliver a lineup with nearly 100 HD-channel choices.

“With digital technology, consumers gain more value and a bigger channel selection than ever before, as well as the superior viewing experience of HDTV,” said Shawn Swatosh, Mediacom’s senior manager for area operations. “With this digital conversion, our customers can be confident we’ll keep pace with their demand for more HD and ever-faster Internet speeds.”

Swatosh explained that analog television technology has been eclipsed by the higher-quality and more efficient technology of digital.

Currently, he said, most customers use at least one television connected to a digital converter, often referred to as a cable set-top box. The converter box enables customers to receive channels beyond a Family Cable subscription and digital features such as OnDemand viewing and digital video recorders (DVR).

“Those televisions already connected to a Mediacom converter will not be affected by our digital upgrade, they are ready to go,” Swatosh said.

However, he added, other televisions in the home, regardless of age, will each need a digital device to receive channels 23 through 70.

“Mediacom’s digital adapter is a small, simple device we are widely distributing at no cost to our customers for approximately a year,” Swatosh said. “The adapter connects to the TV and functions as a receiver to recognize the secure digital video signals as they arrive from our network to be displayed on the TV screen.”

The upgrade of Mediacom’s fiber-optic network gives the company the ability to deliver more advanced services that today’s digital consumers want in their homes and businesses, Swatosh explained.

With the elimination of each analog channel, network space will be available to potentially carry three high-definition channels or 10 standard-definition digital channels (SD). Dozens of new HD channels and others will be added to Mediacom’s local lineup in May.    

Special assistance during customer event at Lake County Fairgrounds

The phase-out of analog television transmission for channels 23-70 will begin April 15, but Mediacom is encouraging its customers to get “digital-ready” now.

A customer service event will be held Saturday, March 15, in the Theater Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Local service representatives will be on hand to answer customer questions and demonstrate how to connect a digital adapter to a TV.

Customers can acquire digital adapters during the March 15 event or by visiting Mediacom’s local office in Clearlake Oaks. They also may choose to order by phone or online and receive free shipping. Order online at www.MediacomCable.com/getdigital or call toll-free, 800-479-2095

Customers who choose a subscription to Local TV only – channels 2-22 – will not be affected by this upgrade. Mediacom will continue to carry channels 2-22 in both analog and digital formats (including HD channels from local television stations).

Current customers may receive up to three digital adapters at no additional cost through April 30, 2015. When the lease-free offer expires on April 30, 2015, an equipment fee of $1.99 will be applied to each digital adapter. This equipment lease ($1.99) applies to additional adapters beyond 3 per household and adapters ordered after June 30, 2014.

Digital adapters are not needed on televisions connected to Mediacom digital converters (larger cable set-top boxes).