ATSC 3.0 is unnecessary; numerous 4K, 1080p and 720p streams already possible using a single RF channel in ATSC 1.0!

[MWmetalhead]

An over-the-air DTV station in Eugene, OR broadcasting on RF channel 3 is already broadcasting multiple streams of native 4K content + 1080p content + 720p content in ATSC 1.0!!

Specifically:
- 4 streams are in 2160p 4K
- 2 streams are in 1080p;
- 8 (!!!) streams are in 720p.

How is this possible? The HEVC encoder.

Simple solution that completely negates the need for ATSC 3.0.

If a low power DTV station in Eugene, OR can afford this technology, certainly most other telecasters can do so!

[billmich88888]

a smaller # of receivers can decode HEVC than the current standard.

The poor folk are the ones most likely not to have the latest and greatest set to decode HEVC, and the poor folk (read: Black and Brown people) are the ones most reliant on OTA broadcasts.

Therefore............ it is racist to switch the standard over that would leave THAT group behind .-

You know that's exactly how it would play out on Capitol Hill.....

[MWmetalhead]

How common is HEVC decoding capability on current ATSC 1.0 receivers?

I honestly do not know. The station owner interviewed by Antenna Man seems to believe most sets manufactured within the past 10 years have the capability, but he seems to be relying on anecdotal examples to draw that conclusion.

Most of the articles I've found on the topic of using HEVC for video encoding are focused on personal computing or Blu-ray applications.

[audiophile]

I hate the idea of another RF transition, IE ATSC 3.0

I like the idea what this guy has done in Eugene.

If I was at the FCC, I would ask TV vendors to provide software patches for older sets. Maybe even setup a software group to help do this.

[billmich88888]

for what it's worth, none of these stations are in 5.1 sound - not sure how much more bandwidth extra audio channels would consume, but it is worth noting

[Ben Zonia]

What about the stability of the signal and the digital signal cliff? Any improvement in coverage areas and signal holes?

[SolarMax]

I hate the idea of another RF transition, IE ATSC 3.0

I like the idea what this guy has done in Eugene.

If I was at the FCC, I would ask TV vendors to provide software patches for older sets. Maybe even setup a software group to help do this.

Very very few "older sets" are capable of software or firmware updates, or have onboard connectivity to do so. The very long transition period for 3.0/NextGen is to allow for the "older sets" to age out, with the newer tech presumed to be universally available to replace them over the 10 or so year period.
I also don't see the Eugene experiment allowing for HDR, which for many is a more significant improvement than 4k. The chart doesn't show what the bit rate is for the multiple streams, but suspect the low priority (read Shopping and nostalgia channels)getting the short stick.
ATSC 3.0 was designed at the get-go to be extensible, and provides a degree of "future proofing" allowing for upgrades and updates to be pushed out out to users as codecs and modulation schemes evolve.

[billmich88888]

I hate the idea of another RF transition, IE ATSC 3.0

I like the idea what this guy has done in Eugene.

If I was at the FCC, I would ask TV vendors to provide software patches for older sets. Maybe even setup a software group to help do this.

Very very few "older sets" are capable of software or firmware updates, or have onboard connectivity to do so. The very long transition period for 3.0/NextGen is to allow for the "older sets" to age out, with the newer tech presumed to be universally available to replace them over the 10 or so year period.
I also don't see the Eugene experiment allowing for HDR, which for many is a more significant improvement than 4k. The chart doesn't show what the bit rate is for the multiple streams, but suspect the low priority (read Shopping and nostalgia channels)getting the short stick.
ATSC 3.0 was designed at the get-go to be extensible, and provides a degree of "future proofing" allowing for upgrades and updates to be pushed out out to users as codecs and modulation schemes evolve.

AMEN

the jump from SD to HD was mind blowing, the jump from HD to 4k, not so much.... the real WOW factor is the HDR/Dolby Vision -
Dare I say that 1080P with HDR > 4K SDR

[MWmetalhead]

Certain versions of H.265 (HEVC) appear capable of supporting HDR:

https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1803/1803.04823.pdf
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-hevc ... lor-duenas

What is unclear from these articles - at least the portions I skimmed - is whether or not Dolby Atmos audio delivery can be supported.