Here in Southern Utah we have 1 transmitter “group” using ATSC 3.0. (we have multiple translators all around the state due to very hilly terrain.) It has a couple of network channels and a couple of “junk” channels. Nothing encrypted (yet). It’s been on the air for at least a couple of years (maybe since 2021).
I have 1 TV with an ATSC 3.0 tuner. I can barely get reception from our local translator, even though it’s on the same tower cluster as all of the ATSC 1.0 translators. All content is in standard HD (no 4k). Seems like it’s more of a “beta test” installation than anything. Certainly doesn’t impress or entice me to start chasing the ATSC 3.0 standard.
I don’t see this ATSC 3.0 change happening anytime soon in our area. No progress since this one “beta” thing came on line, almost no existing TVs have ATSC 3.0 tuners, very few new TVs being manufactured with same, etc.
However, I do think it will eventually get rammed through. Those pushing it are fighting for additional revenue (encryption + internet connection = paywall) from consumers who are likely “tapped out”, and will likely not pay more to watch endless commercials and crap content. This is already happening in the “out of control” streaming industry. But, get ready to pay dearly for any truly “desirable” new content, particularly sports (superbowl, march madness, etc).
I do not have a tablo, but a HDHomerun Flex. I also have a fairly new Sony TV with an ATSC 3.0 tuner, but it requires a software update. My local Fox station in New Orleans started advertising NextGen commercials. I decided to write the station because their signal is encrypted. Here is what I got back:
Hi Joe,
Thank you for reaching out. I am the Chief Engineer for Fox 8. You are correct that we have implemented content protection and signal signing in our NextGenTV signal for Fox 8. All NextGenTV sets on the market today, including sets sold by Samsung, LG, Sony, and Hisense, are able to receive and decode our signal without any issues.
Please confirm that your Sony set has a NextGenTV tuner. If so, with your antenna connected directly to it, you should be able to see all the signals in the market.
The HD Home Run is still having some problems decoding NextGen signals that have incorporated content protection and signal signing. My understanding is that the folks at HD Home Run are working to get this solved and expect to do so in the near future. I don’t know exactly when they expect to issue a fix, but I understand that it can be done in the form of a firmware/software update. So, once they do fix it, they should be able to push it out to your device with a simple software update.
There are some other accessory devices (similar to the HD Home Run) that are coming onto the market in the next few weeks. I am told that those devices have all gone through the proper testing and work with no issues. If those manufacturers have taken the proper steps, I am sure HD Home Run will be able to do so as well and do it in short order.
I know this is frustrating, but the problem is being worked on. Hopefully, the HD Home Run will push out the needed software update soon. When that happens, you will be able to watch the NextGen signals without any issues. If you have any questions, please let me know.
So FOX New Orleans (and presumably every other “implementer” of ATSC 3.0) expects OTA consumers to buy new “high end” TVs with ATSC 3.0 tuners or implement some “dongle box” to watch their content? Do they understand OTA consumers?
Lower income folks who can’t afford such things who are primarily motivated by minimizing cost?
Low tech/older retirees who struggle to deal with ANY tech, and also struggle to pay bills?
So-called “cord-cutters” who chase “free” OTA TV (including DVR functionality) at almost any cost just to avoid stupid high cable bills and “beat the system”?
Tech geeks who are enamored with the possibility of all sorts of “cool” new stuff like 4k and interactive TV OTA-style?
Most people who are fine with ATSC 1.0 screen resolution and audio, which happens to look fine on today’s modern TVs?
I see so many barriers to general acceptance and implementation, and I don’t see the “demand” case to move to something new and likely more expensive.
I guess they think 3.0 is a luxury. I use OTA so I can strip out the commercials. I use the Channels app on my Apple TVs. I do not think the broadcast stations really care about OTA users since most of their revenue comes from carriage fees rather than advertising.
I am curious to see what changes will be brought to regulation of the public airwaves in the new political climate.
Curious to see whether the public airwaves will be deemed to belong to the public, or to some other entity.
BTW
I am against DRM on public airwaves.
We are working on a Tablo device that will be fully certified and compliant with all ATSC 3.0 requirements. Significant progress has been made but, as of yet, there is no ETA for this product.
