FCC approves voluntary ATSC 3.0 adoption.

[navychop]

I wonder where we will be in five years regarding ATSC 3. I’m guessing it will have made inroads by then, but only just beginning to schedule replacing ATSC 1 transmissions.


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[harshness]

If, as some have posited, it will be 2020 before we start seeing mainstream TVs with Next Gen tuners, it will likely take more than three years to build up enough of a user base to warrant getting serious about plans for a voluntary offing of DTV. Under the DTV mandate, large tube TVs were required to have ATSC capable tuners built in some years before the switch.

My current theories:

• Viewers aren't likely to be quick to replace the UHD TVs and sound systems that they've purchased over the last few years but Next Gen will require HLG and audio devices that can pass it through.
• UHD content release doesn't seem to be gaining a whole lot of steam yet even though the penetration of UHD TVs may now justify it.
• Many of those who use OTA as a primary source live in areas that don't support UHD streaming well (if at all) so the cart is still some distance from being hitched to the horse and disc-based content doesn't seem to be a big thing to bridge the gap.
• Until Next Gen takes over, there isn't going to be the bandwidth in the most populous markets to support uninterrupted UHD broadcast. The promise of UHD down the road some time isn't a big carrot.

 

[Voyager6]

I still think it unlikely that there will be any actual UHD broadcasts in local markets under ATSC 3.0. More likely, is the multiple HD channels being used along with additional SD subchannels for each. This would be a much greater money maker than a single UHD broadcast channel. I believe that UHD content will remain as a special event channel or downloaded via internet. Too much bandwidth needed for UHD broadcasts.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Our PBS wants to do UHD. They want to be one of the firsts.

 

[navychop]

And maybe the few.


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[Voyager6]

Our PBS wants to do UHD. They want to be one of the firsts.

What would they broadcast? Is there any PBS content in 4K?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

What would they broadcast? Is there any PBS content in 4K?

I am told yes. (I haven't seen any myself yet)

 

[TNGTony]

from a couple of years ago: PBS and Key Industry Partners Successfully Produce, Transmit and Receive/Render a Next-Generation Live UHDTV experience with HDR and DTS:X Immersive Audio | PBS About

PBS has several shows that were filmed in 4k in the can, or starting this season.

 

[harshness]

PBS has several shows that were filmed in 4k in the can, or starting this season.

Of course PBS has a fairly large market for their programming on disc and OTT (although I have to wonder of Ultra Blu-ray is going to pencil out for them).

 

[goaliebob99]

WTTW (PBS) in Chicago already has an ATSC 3.0 transmitter in place for 4K.

 

[goaliebob99]

GatesAir: GatesAir to Streamline UHF TV Channel Relocation for...

 

[harshness]

As you've learned from AT&T's (DIRECTV's) UHD efforts, having the capacity (RDBS) for something doesn't mean jack if they can't find the content to bother turning it on.

 

[harshness]

While PBS is producing some UHD content, their stations tend to have lots of channels and UHD is thought to be a channel hog at this point.

 

[rad]

Fox, NBC, Univision, TEGNA and Nexstar Stations Lead Broad Coalition Formally Committing to ATSC 3.0

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Fox, NBC, Univision, TEGNA and Nexstar Stations Lead Broad Coalition Formally Committing to ATSC 3.0

Don't let harshness see that link.

 

[Voyager6]

Fox, NBC, Univision, TEGNA and Nexstar Stations Lead Broad Coalition Formally Committing to ATSC 3.0

Don't let harshness see that link.

Not a word in that article about UHD or 4K broadcasts though.

“ATSC 3.0 is something that as an industry we have to do,” added Valari Staab, president of NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. “The new standard will transform the way we deliver content to our audiences—including viewers who are consuming information in multiple languages and screens. ATSC 3.0 will also help us to better connect advertisers with the audiences they want to reach on any platform. We are pleased to be working with Pearl TV and our broadcast partners to ensure the new technology is set in place for both viewers and broadcasters when we are ready to roll-out the new standard.”

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Not a word in that article about UHD or 4K broadcasts though.

NBC is doing a lot of 4K. Many of their shows (sitcoms and dramas) are being done in 4K and have been for the last 3 years now.

I use to have access to an app which would allow me to watch all of NBC's 4K stuff in 4K, it looked really good. Then testing of the app changed and they required you to be on a Comcast Internet connection to continue to be a tester. Since I live in an area services by COX it was the end of that testing by me.

 

[Voyager6]

NBC is doing a lot of 4K. Many of their shows (sitcoms and dramas) are being done in 4K and have been for the last 3 years now.

I use to have access to an app which would allow me to watch all of NBC's 4K stuff in 4K, it looked really good. Then testing of the app changed and they required you to be on a Comcast Internet connection to continue to be a tester. Since I live in an area services by COX it was the end of that testing by me.

I still am looking at it in plain economic terms. There are so few 4K sets out there (none with an ATSC 3.0 tuner) compared to HD sets. Even when the ATSC 3.0 tuners are available, the vast majority to TV sets will still be HD not 4K. Why would a station put out a single UHD stream over ATSC 3.0 when it could send out 6 to 8 HD streams in the same bandwidth plus probably add some SD subchannels as well? Simple economics suggests multiple HD streams over a single UHD stream. Unless, they plan on down-rezzing the UHD stream (aka UHD-Lite) to add room for subchannels.

 

[harshness]

I wonder what they mean by "expand the footprint".

 

[harshness]

Simple economics suggests multiple HD streams over a single UHD stream.

It isn't only simple economics. Physics dictates that until DTV is sunset, bandwidth is going to be precious in all but the small markets.