WBNX CW55 in Cleveland Ohio is changing to ATSC 3.0 broadcast on 4-30-2026. Will there be an update for this?
Currently, Tablo does not support ATSC 3.0. Doing so, I believe, would require more than a software update. However, double-check with the station… often when stations add ATSC 3.0, they also continue to broadcast in the older standard as well.
Tablo 4th gen devices are very inexpensive. To handle something as radical as ATSC 3.0 with some sort of “just firmware” update would likely require “more” than what the device is. However, I’m ok with being surprised.
Correction before I get flamed:
It’s possible to do with a firmware update. But not Tablo.
Some vendors initially paid the $25 for the new chips and installed their new tuners. Only to later find out that there were additional certifications required. And fees. So some stopped development and pulled the product from market. Disabling the chips so only ATSC 1.0 functions.
The roadblock is cost. All ATSC 3.0 technologies are patented. The patents are owned by a consortium in a patent pool.
Getting the device certified as “Nextgen” also costs a bundle. Owned by the same consortium but farmed out to another company.
ROI is very negative.
That’s even before DRM roadblock.
Surprising. Are you sure? I mean, when I say “surprised”, I guess I mean very very surprised. Of course, licensing is a “factor”, but that too would be easy if what you’re saying is true. Different codecs in ATSC 3.0, both in terms of video and audio.
Wouldn’t you also need different tuners/hardware?
So, the answer to the OP is, “no”. Maybe Tablo will sell a DIY tuner upgrade kit. 
That was a joke.
Yeah… A big fat no.
Did I tell you that I bought a refurbished Zinwell 600B from Channel Master via Amazon? $99.
ATSC1/3 tuner. But only one tuner… Slow scans and DRM support.
Now if the TV stations in Dallas would fix their equipment I would be able to watch crappy upscale A3/NG. Out of the possible 11 channels only 3 work. Two of those are Spanish seniors. ~ over the n.
Point: as seductive as ATSC 3.0 and Nextgen are, it doesn’t work well and it’s a big disappointment.
For it to work my understanding is that the source cameras would be the starting point for upgrading to 4k. It’s all downstream upgrades from there.
It appears WBNX 55 your CW affiliate is the only CW affiliate.
There are no other ATSC 3/Nextgen stations in your market.
AFAIK the FCC still requires the station to provide the “equivalent” broadcast. Meaning somehow they have to provide a broadcast of 55.1 in a format that can be viewed by consumers using equipment they have today.
I don’t see how. Nevermind I found it.
