ATSC 3.Zero in 2021: Why it's nonetheless early days for antenna

Every so typically, I’ll get an electronic mail from a fellow cord-cutter who’s fearful about future-proofing for ATSC 3.0.

The massive broadcast TV improve, also referred to as NextGen TV, represents a significant leap over the present ATSC 1.Zero commonplace for antenna customers, promising 4K HDR video help, Dolby Atmos and DTS-X audio, on-demand video, and probably higher reception. But since ATSC 3.Zero is incompatible with at present’s TV tuners, cord-cutters will ultimately want new TVs, tuner bins, or over-the-air DVRs to take benefit. If you hear sufficient business hype for the brand new commonplace, you would possibly fairly wonder if it’s value shopping for ATSC 1.Zero {hardware} anymore.

From what I’ve heard, although, not a lot has modified since final 12 months, after I wrote that most individuals shouldn’t be looking for out ATSC 3.Zero {hardware} but. While extra stations are broadcasting in ATSC 3.Zero than a 12 months in the past, the overwhelming majority are nonetheless in an experimental section, and main TV networks haven’t but dedicated to options reminiscent of 4K and on-demand video. Compatible {hardware} additionally stays costly and scarce, and even Dave Arland, a spokesman for the ATSC requirements physique, acknowledged through electronic mail that it’s “very early days” for the usual.

External set-top bins may additionally be an choice in lieu of changing your complete TV, however up to now the one consumer-friendly choice is SiliconDust’s HDHomeRun Connect 4K, a $200 networked tuner that helps each ATSC 1.Zero and ATSC 3.0. Like different HDHomeRun tuners, the 4K mannequin hooks as much as an antenna and connects to your Wi-Fi router with an ethernet cable, then streams the video into the HDHomeRun app on numerous gadgets. (It can even function a DVR with some extra {hardware}, and is suitable with third-party DVR companies, reminiscent of Plex and Channels.) At a $50 worth premium over the ATSC 1.Zero model, it’s a tremendous approach for energy customers to take care of ahead compatibility.

SiliconDust

The HDHomeRun Connect 4K was a little bit of a shock when it launched final fall, and SiliconDust CEO Nick Kelsey mentioned final week {that a} model with built-in DVR is coming in March, just like the present HDHomeRun Scribe. Still, the corporate’s strikes don’t appear to have pushed different gadgets to market any sooner.

Nuvyyo, makers of the Tablo DVR, remains to be evaluating {hardware} and software program choices, a lot because it was final 12 months, mentioned Laura Slater, the corporate’s product advertising supervisor. “However, we don’t think the standard is mature or widely available enough yet to warrant launching a consumer-level NextGenTV product,” she added.

The different primary choice on the horizon is Zapperbox, a $250 set-top field that was introduced again in May 2020. It’ll be bought on to customers within the second quarter of 2021, and also will be licensed to different firms that need to put their very own model identify on the {hardware}. Gopal Miglani, the president and founding father of BitRouter, whose software program is powering the ZapperBox, says the plan is so as to add a USB port to the product so it will possibly help DVRs and extra tuners.

ZapperBox

Of course, we will count on extra {hardware} and decrease costs over time, we’re nonetheless a great distance from the times of sub-$50 converter bins.

ATSC 1.Zero isn’t going away but

Again, it’s value reiterating that the FCC requires broadcasters to simulcast their channels in each ATSC 1.Zero and ATSC 3.Zero till at the very least February 2023. This is achieved by way of channel-sharing preparations, the place a pair of stations comply with host each other’s feeds by way of cautious collaboration.

Those necessities haven’t modified since final 12 months, and stations can nonetheless hold their ATSC 1.Zero feeds lively for longer than the FCC requires. With 16 million households tuning into over-the-air TV at present, it’s laborious to think about a pressured {hardware} migration occurring in simply a few years.

All of which brings me to a…