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Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Next Gen TV Tradeoffs

 A Next Gen television is needed to receive broadcast using the new standard (ATSC 3.0), also called UHD. The new standard offers higher resolution, enhanced audio, interactivity, and has better reception characteristics. These improvements come with some tradeoffs.

Broadcasters can Content Protect TV channels using the Digital Rights Management (DRM) standard. Programs that can be recorded can only be replayed from the DVR / Tuner that recorded it. Broadcasters can prevent recording, or set an expiration date on a recording. They can also Block using Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Ad-Skip.

Currently the number of ATSC 3.0 broadcast is small, and not growing very fast. Nationwide 81 out of 500 market areas have a few ATSC 3.0 TV channels. None of these channels are in 4k ultra high definition.

One of the first ATSC 3.0 television manufacturers (LG) will stop manufacturing televisions with the new standard in 2024. The decision was due to a licensing cost increase from $3 to $7 per television, and lack of sales.

The ATSC 3.0 standard is not fully developed and will probably require periodic software updates, much like computer and phone software updates. 

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Thursday, November 2, 2023

NextGen vs HD Broadcast November 2023

Currently the number of NextGen (ATSC 3.0)  broadcast is small, and not growing very fast. 

Only two HD stations plan to switch to NextGen broadcast by year end:

WPLG in Miami, Florida,
KBFW-LD in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.

Check for NextGen broadcast in your area at TV Broadcast Tower Locator

 


Wednesday, November 1, 2023

NextGen TV - Encrypted Channels

Some NextGen TV channels are encrypted. NextGen televisions manufactured after 2022 should have an authorized tuner with a built-in decryption key. An Internet connection is not required. Televisions without a key should, but might not, be able to get a key by downloading (from the Internet) and installing a software update.

There are 2 types of encryption;

  • Digital Rights Management (DRM 
    Also referred to as Content Protection.
    • Programs that can be recorded can only be replayed from the DVR / Tuner that recorded it.
    • Broadcasters can prevent recording, or set an expiration date on a recording.
    • Broadcasters can Block using;
      • Pause.
      • Rewind.
      • Fast Forward.
      • Ad-Skip.
    • Prevents rebroadcasting.
  • Subscription Service Lock
    Not currently used.
    This is pay TV, by the month or by the program(s). An Internet connection is required to download a decryption key as often as needed. The legality is in question. Spectrum allocated for TV broadcast is mandated by the Federal government to be Free for anyone to receive.

    Evoca TV network tried selling a monthly subscription service for $25 per month from January to December of 2022. They had stations in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Michigan. The service had local channels, some cable channels, and RSN's (Regional Sports Network). They didn't generate enough revenue to sustain operations and shut down after 1 year on December 31st, 2022.

 

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

The Number of UHD 4k Television Broadcast Drops

The number of UHD 4k broadcast TV stations is still very small. At the end of 2022 there were 113 UHD stations in the US.  In the first month of 2023 five UHD stations either changed to HD broadcasting or went off the air. That leaves 108 UHD broadcast stations. One station is planning to go to UHD in May. Apparently the public is not as interested in UHD TV as experts predicted. 


Saturday, August 21, 2021

Ultra High Definition Channels August 2021

The number of 4k TV (Ultra High Definition or UHD) over air-the-air broadcast is growing, but still small.  As of August 2021 there were;

  •   40  Cities,
  •   26  States,
  •   64  Stations,
  • 205  TV Channels,

with a UHD broadcast. 

The number of UHD broadcast is small compared to over 500 market cities, over 7500  stations, and tens of thousands TV channels. 

City's that have UHD available and the number of TV channels;  

TV Ch’s    CITY, STATE
    7           Albuquerque, NM
    1           Astoria, OR
  11           Atlanta, GA
    5           Austin, TX
    5           Baltimore, MD         
    1           Bend, OR
    5           Buffalo, NY
    5           Charlotte, NC  
    1           Chicago, IL
    5           Columbus, OH
    3           Dallas, TX
    8           Denver, CO
    6           Detroit, MI
    6           Grand Rapids, MI
    4           Greenville, NC
    3           Indianapolis, IN
    9           Kanas City, MO
    4           Las Vegas, NV  
    1           Los Angeles, CA
    2           Medford, OR
    6           Mobile, AL
    6           Nashville, TN
    5           Norfolk, VA
    5           Oklahoma City, OK
    6           Orlando, FL
  11           Phoenix, AZ
    3           Pittsburgh, PA
  11           Portland, OR  
    9           Raleigh, NC
    5           Sacramento, CA
    4           Salt Lake City, UT
    3           San Antonio, TX
    2           San Franciso, CA
    4           Santa Barbara, CA
    7           Seattle, WA
    2           Springfield, MA  
    3           Syracuse, NY
  11           Tallahassee, FL
    5           Tampa, FL
    5           Washington, DC. 

See TV Broadcast Tower Locator for UHD availability in your ares.  











Tuesday, September 5, 2017

What's the difference between a digital and an analog antenna?

Nothing. There is no difference between a digital antenna and an analog antenna, except the name. Digital and analog TV signals use the same carrier frequencies, carrier modulation (digital or analog signal) does not effect antenna reception.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Antenna Installation Video


RELEASED TODAY:  A Guide to TV Antenna Installation is a short (4 min) but detailed step by step video guide to outside television antenna installations. Antenna's must be properly grounded for best reception and safety. This video illustrates all the major points you do not want to overlook. Check out;