Vermont’s PBS Channel Moved on Videotron
Greater Montreal Sector

Subscribers of Videotron Classic Cable in greater Montreal who watched Vermont Public Television (WETK 33) on cable position 43 will now find it on cable position 6.

Videotron Classic Cable subscribers in the western sector will still find VPT on position 59, and Videotron’s Illico subscribers will still find VPT on position 55.

The cable company informed VPT Nov. 17 that they made the change for technical reasons.

More information is available at 1-800-639-7811.

Videotron Cable and Vermont Public Television
Here is where to find VPT (listed as WETK-33) in the Montreal area:

Western Montreal region: cable 59
Eastern (Greater) Montreal region, Lachute: cable 6
Illico digital service: cable 55

Problems Tuning in New Channels
When there’s a cable position change, we sometimes hear from people who are having difficulty tuning in the new channel numbers, even though VPT is still on the basic service. Most of these people say they have older TV sets that won't dial the higher channel numbers. There are several solutions to help receive VPT again. Please see the Guidelines, below.

Please also note that many viewers can receive VPT channels off air, using an antenna. You can switch from watching your cable stations to watching your antenna stations by using your remote control. Please see the following pages under UHF TV Resources for more information: Reception and Antenna Service Companies.

Guidelines for Tuning VPT on Higher Cable Numbers
("Cable 59" is used here as an example. If VPT is on a different cable position where you are, try that cable number.)

Reprogramming Your TV
Some older TV sets don't tune in stations as high as the cable channels where VPT is positioned. If you have a TV set with rotary dials or push buttons, chances are you cannot tune directly from your TV set. Please read the section below, Using Your VCR.

Some sets newer than the rotary dial and push button era still won't readily bring in the higher cable channel numbers. For example, you might push a channel number and find your TV goes back to a lower number. However, sometimes it's possible to adjust your TV to get higher channels. Here's how to get started:

1. Check your owner's manual to see whether your TV has an option called "Autoprogram" (or "Automatic Channel" or "Auto Set"). It may be visible when you use the Menu button on your remote control to display an on-screen menu.
   
   
2. Try re-setting the Automatic function using your remote control.
   
   
3. Now try pressing the buttons on your remote control to select 64, and you may find your TV brings in VPT and the other basic cable channels in the higher numbers.

Using Your VCR
If reprogramming your TV doesn't work, and you have a VCR hooked up to your TV, try using your VCR to tune in your cable channels.

1. Turn on your TV and tune it to the channel you use when you watch a video (channel 3 or 4).
   
   
2. Turn on your VCR.
   
   
3. Using the number pad on your VCR remote control, punch in the channel number you want. On some remotes, you need to push the "Enter" button as well. If your remote has no number pad, use the channel number ("CH" or "CHAN") buttons, sometimes marked with up and down arrows, to get to the channel number you want.
   
   
4. If you don't see VPT, press the button on your VCR remote control that says "TV/VCR" or "TV/Video." (You want your VCR to be in VCR mode, not TV mode.)
   
   
5. If that doesn't work, your VCR may be refusing to accept channel 64 because it is pre-programmed or automatically programmed to search only for certain channels. Check your VCR manual to find out how to reprogram it. You'll be looking for a function called "Auto Select" or "Pre-Select." The idea is to get your VCR set up to accept the channel numbers you punch in.

Questions?
Contact us at view@vpt.org or 1-800-639-7811, extension 8059.