Phoenix AZ 1st full time ATSC broadcaster for the USA

[Robert Zohn]

Pearl TV, one of the major TV broadcaster syndicates will begin simulcast ATSC 3.0 along with ATSC 1.0. More broadcasters will follow very soon.

Here's Broadcast and Cable professional TV broadcast trade publication article on the ATSC launch in Phoenix AZ.

LG is supplying the ATSC 3.0 set-top-boxes and Sony supplies many of the broadcasters equipment, Samsung is providing know-how to the broadcaster and Channel Master will supply the OTA antennas.

Look forward to ATSC 3.0 as our OTA, OTT and IP transport streams to the next generation of UHD/HDR free content across America and all other regions Worldwide.

[gkolb]

Robert, are you aware of any roadmap to copy this in other cities?
Or, is this mostly pre-beta, they’re still testing it on the fly to see what shakes out?

And, will there be 4K HDR content broadcast?

[anthonyls]

Originally Posted by gkolb

And, will there be 4K HDR content broadcast?

I hope so, otherwise, what would be the point? They probably helped the station financially to some point to help with the test/transition. I know that it was very costly for stations to make the jump to HD 10-15 years ago. I'm sure many stations will resist this change to UHD as much as possible (due to the financial cost from just a few years ago).

[Robert Zohn]

Not sure if the 1st broadcaster will have much 4K content, but you are all correct that one of the big advantages of ATSC 3.0 is to broadcast UHD/HDR.

Also ATSC 3.0 is OTA and IP so an OTA antenna is not the only way to get the free local network and independent channels.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Not sure if the 1st broadcaster will have much 4K content, but you are all correct that one of the big advantages of ATSC 3.0 is to broadcast UHD/HDR.

Also ATSC 3.0 is OTA and IP so an OTA antenna is not the only way to get the free local network and independent channels.

WAIT !! So I could play this over IP? (sounds like streaming, doesn't it?)

I'm probably missing something like a portal and password protection?

[anthonyls]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Not sure if the 1st broadcaster will have much 4K content, but you are all correct that one of the big advantages of ATSC 3.0 is to broadcast UHD/HDR.

Also ATSC 3.0 is OTA and IP so an OTA antenna is not the only way to get the free local network and independent channels.

So I will be able to pick up New York stations via IP in Portland, OR?

[Robert Zohn]

Sorry no, but you can get all of your Portland OR channels without an antenna as ATSC supports local broadcast channels over IP.

[Robert Zohn]

@gkolb, don't think you will need a password. There is no charge to get all of your local channels OTA with an antenna or over IP, yes streamed.

You will need an ATSC set-top-box or a TV with a built-in ATSC decoder.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

@gkolb, don't thing you will need a password. There is no charge to get all of your local channels OTA with an antenna or over IP, yes streamed.

You will need an ATSC set-top-box or a TV with a built-in ATSC decoder.

Yes, I know all I need is an antenna for local OTA. That's what we did up through 1978.

So to get local broadcast over IP (on my computer & monitor I suppose, or is that incorrect?) what do I need to know that I don't know? Or is that "watch TV on my iPhone anywhere" thru my local cable provider via a portal and password. (They never really describe all these details up-front & I'd have to chase them down to get it explained I think, and not worth the hassle when it's better on the 65" screen anyway. Don't want TV on an iPhone screen.)
Signed :grumpy old-man:

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

@gkolb, don't think you will need a password. There is no charge to get all of your local channels OTA with an antenna or over IP, yes streamed.

You will need an ATSC set-top-box or a TV with a built-in ATSC decoder.

One of the great things about OTA is that you can get it just about anywhere, IP streaming not so much. I live in a rural area about 50 miles southeast of Tucson. Years ago fed up with satellite TV raising their rates I put up a good sized antenna on a pole along side my house. I get over a dozen OTA channels from Tucson, the 4 networks + PBS in better HD quality than satellite, plus a number of sub channels with old movies & TV shows. Usually more than enough TV for me.

But, I have no wired internet. My only two choices are satellite - which is always your last resort because of cost, response lag, and strict data limits - and WiMax, long range wireless. I have WiMax, and for $55/mo. for "up to 3mbps" I'm lucky get 1.5mbps sustained download, not enough for decent streaming. So I'll stick with OTA, looking forward to ATSC 3.0. While all my TVs have tuners I normally use a ATSC set-top-box because with an external USB hard drive I can schedule recordings and pause live TV, so an upgrade to an ATSC 3.0 set-top box will be an easy upgrade.

[Robert Zohn]

ATSC 3.0's IP is designed to be watched on your TV, but may be viewed on a PC with an ATSC 3.0 Set-Top-Box connected to your PC.

Here's the explanation. ATSC 3.0 is designed to be received in homes via an OTA antenna or over the internet (IP). Many of the next generation of TVs will have ATSC 3.0 decoders built-in and we'll begin seeing ATSC 3.0 STBs at CEDIA and on the open market soon after. So once your local networks and independences begin broadcasting in ATSC 3.0 you can connect an ethernet cable or your home WI Fi or your antenna to the ATSC 3.0 STB or capable TV.

[Robert Zohn]

Just wanted to add that we'll likely see LG/Zenith with the first ATSC 3.0 STBs.

[Robert Zohn]

Great ^^ post!