In this article, I will explain everything there is to know about ATSC 3.0 Tuner, also called NextGen TV. This is a hot topic within the technology circle today. There are many articles out there that talk about ATSC 3.0 Tuners but you might find that they’re very complicated. I will take you through the various aspects of ATSC 3.0 in a simple and easy-to-understand manner so that you can truly understand what all the excitement is about!
Before I talk about ATSC 3.0 Tuners, let’s first understand what ATSC is and what it is used for.
Introduction to ATSC
ATSC stands for Advanced Television Systems Committee. They’re an international, non-profit organization that develops voluntary standards for digital television. The 130+ member organizations that form the ATSC represent the broadcast, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, and satellite industries.
The role of the ATSC is to create certain standards by which digital television is transmitted over terrestrial, cable, and satellite networks. Think of it as a set of rules, procedures, and protocols that television technology follows.
There are two primary HD video formats used by ATSC – 1080i and 720p. They also support standard definition formats.
It is important to note that not all countries use these standards. ATSC standards are used mostly in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and South Korea. Most European and Asian countries use the PAL (Phase Alternating Line) standard. Japan even has its own system called ISDB (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting).
ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 3.0 Tuners
ATSC 3.0, also called NextGen TV, is the next evolution of digital TV standards. It includes a number of new standards and features that will upgrade Live TV to another level.
ATSC 3.0 is an OTA (over-the-air) standard, meaning that you’ll be receiving it using an antenna. It is also internet protocol-based. Hence, it will work with any data connections you have.
You might be wondering why there is no ATSC 2.0. This is because, by the time they were ready to launch, most of the features had already become outdated. All the revisions, changes, and features that were a part of ATSC 2.0 were adopted into the ATSC 3.0 along with a couple of new features.
ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 3.0 Tuners were first deployed in South Korea in 2017 in preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics. In the United States, it is currently aired in Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Nashville, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Seattle, Tampa, and a few more locations.
You can find out when TV stations will begin ATSC 3.0 broadcasts by visiting this link –
Key Details of ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 3.0 Tuners
Here are some of the important information on ATSC 3.0 that is available currently.
- ATSC 3.0 standards will give you high-quality Ultra HD 4K video, HDR, Dolby Atmos sound, and better reception.
- NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 will not affect you if you get your TV from streaming, cable, or satellite.
- The transition is completely voluntary. There is no compulsion for stations to switch to ATSC 3.0.
- There is no backward compatibility with the current ATSC 1.0 standard, so your current TV may not be able to receive it. Your antenna should be fine though. This means that you’ll have to purchase a new TV that supports ATSC 3.0 if you want to use it.
- Stations that switch to NextGen TV will still have to keep broadcasting ATSC 1.0 for five years.
- Sony, Samsung, and LG have already come out with TVs that have compatible ATSC 3.0 tuners.
Features of Using ATSC 3.0 Tuner
There are a lot of benefits if you’re using an ATSC 3.0 Tuner to receive NextGen TV broadcasts. According to a consumer study conducted by the research firm Magid, these were the benefits that they found.
Support for mobile streaming/viewing using ATSC 3.0 Tuner
ATSC 3.0 allows you to stream videos on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), as well as TV receivers/tuners in vehicles.
Ultra-High Definition (UHD)
ATSC 1.0 standard can only produce up to 1080p resolution. With ATSC 3.0, you can get 4K UHD as the new standard while also including various picture quality upgrades like HDR (High Dynamic Range), WCG (Wide Colour Gamut), and higher FPS.
Better Audio Quality
ATSC 3.0 supports the new Dolby AC-4 standard instead of AC-3 supported by the old ATSC 1.0. This allows 7.1.4 l audio that also supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and other advanced object-based surround formats.
Geo-targeting and personalization with ATSC 3.0 Tuners
Since ATSC 3.0 is capable of using internet signals, it can collect more information online like better geo-location, viewing data, and so on. Hence, this will provide you with more unique, personalized content.
Required Equipment to Access ATSC 3.0
The most important equipment you will require to watch NextGen TV is an ATSC 3.0 Tuner. You can buy this as an external set-top box which you can then attach to your TV. And don’t worry, you only need to buy one such tuner for your entire house! This one device can split the signal to all of your TVs and other compatible devices.
HD Tuners cost as little as $30 to $40. ATSC 3.0 Tuners are currently priced at $200, but they’ll soon become cheaper.
Many new TVs come with an inbuilt ATSC 3.0 Tuner. Check the specs of your TV before buying a separate tuner.
The only other equipment you need is an ATSC antenna. But most OTA antennas already support ATSC 3.0 signals, so you’ll not have to purchase another antenna just for this purpose.
Conclusion
I hope I was able to provide you with all the important information regarding ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 3.0 Tuners. Since it’s still in an early stage, there is a lot more that we’re yet to learn about this new technology. The COVID-19 pandemic actually delayed the launch of ATSC 3.0 which was set for May 2020.
Since all networks will still simulcast ATSC 1.0 for the next five years, you don’t have to be worried about upgrading to the new standard anytime soon. In the coming months, you’ll be able to get a clear understanding of how ATSC 3.0 works and whether it provides the promised benefits. You can then make the decision to upgrade.
Let us know in the comments if you have any doubts or queries, and we’ll answer all of them for you!