New HD TV?

Question

I just purchased a new, small, HD TV for the bedroom. I connected it to the cable line and ran it thru the channel selector. Very strange thing happened. The lowest channel is channel 2 (CBS), then 4 (NBC) etc. (I live in Los Angeles). When I pushed the up channel button on the remote, several other channels appeared. for example: Channel 2 (CBS) came on as channel 2-0, which is fine, but then I pushed the channel up button and a channel numbered 2-1, then 2-2, then 2-3 came up with channels I have never heard of, before it went to channel 4 (NBC). What are all of those strange channels? Thank you.

Answer 1

these are called sub channels, with the transition to digital television each station has more bandwidth, so things like a 24-7 weather channel are added. Its a very new concept so many stations have not yet taken advantage of it.

Answer 2

i dont have an answer but it seems as though are problems are similar because the same thing happened to me...we both need help...

Answer 3

You're seeing the digital and HD channels that are beginning to be broadcast around the country.

Usually, 2-0 is CBS (non-HD), 2-1 will be the same as 2-0 but in HD.  Some networks have additional digital channels, like a 24-hour local  weather and traffic channel.  In any case, the first digit (2) is the owning network (CBS).  So in your area, CBS is broadcasting 4 separate channels.

Also, all networks will be switching their over-the-air broadcasts from analog to digital starting in February 2009.  While this won't affect cable or satellite owners, it will mean you may see additional channels showing up as time goes on.  Eventually the non-digital channels, like 2-0, will go away entirely.