How ATSC 3.0 Aims to Win Over Cord-Cutters in 2026
The ATSC organization certifies what products support ATSC 3.0. A3SA certifies ATSC 3.0 DRM support. So does a Pearl TV certification program mean that a product is ATSC 3.0 certified. Probably not unless ATSC org agrees and why would they do that.
Ahead of this week’s CES trade show, the broadcaster consortium Pearl TV announced a certification program for no-frills converter boxes that will plug into the HDMI port on any TV.
ATSC is a standards group and doesn’t certify anything.
A3SA does not certify anything either. They develop security protocols.
You want to use the ATSC 3.0 logo
Eurofins Digital Testing: An accredited lab offering comprehensive testing for ATSC 3.0/NEXTGEN TV conformance, including security and logo certification.
ATSC 3.0 product certification involves independent labs like Eurofins Digital Testing for conformance and NEXTGEN TV logo testing, and component providers offering certified solutions, ensuring devices meet standards for security, interoperability, and features like emergency alerts and interactivity. Manufacturers license technology (like from Avanci Broadcast) and get tested to ensure their receivers (TVs, dongles) function correctly and securely.
Yup. Independent accredited labs are doing the certification.
Those labs certify that the device conforms to the standard…
for A3SA independent Labs also.
Who does the accreditation?
So let’s go back and see what that means. If Pearl TV develops a certification program that doesn’t include mandatory parts of the ATSC 3.0 standard are their certified products able to claim they are ATSC 3.0 certified.
So now you are saying that nextgentv is ATSC.
So if pearltv removes some features from the device is it still compliant
Pearl TV aims to bring prices down with a new class of converter boxes that shave away features such as DVR and possibly some interactive features.
Are these features required
No. That is not what I’m saying because it’s incorrect.
Nextgen TV is separate. Trade group.
Pearl TV is separate. Trade group.
NAB is separate. Trade group.
CTA is separate. Trade group.
ATSC is separate. Standards group.
A3SA is separate. Security protocols group.
Trade groups don’t make or manufacture anything resembling a device. They make press releases and lobby government officials.
It’s as if creating an industry standard is nothing. Especially those that include technologies from others. For those that have participated, it’s worse then herding feral cats.